Case Study: The Saints achieve streamlined usher scheduling and improved member retention with ClubExpress

The Saints Come Marching in and Bring in the Chicago Literary Club

The Saints, a 2,300‑member volunteer organization that provides ushers and grants to Chicago performing arts groups (including funding an accessible door at the Auditorium Theatre), faced cumbersome, “old‑school” logistics for member communication, renewals and usher scheduling. To modernize operations they began using the ClubExpress platform in 2004 to move away from telephone, paper and large printed newsletters.

ClubExpress provided online membership management (making renewals easier and helping retention) and is implementing a dedicated Ushering Module so members can search shows, sign up with a click, and maintain personal event calendars; coordinators can focus on organizing instead of paperwork. The change streamlined management of The Saints’ 2,300+ volunteers, reduced reliance on long printed listings, and led other groups such as the Chicago Literary Club to adopt ClubExpress as well.

The Saints

Frank Lackner

Current Publisher and Past President