Profile Help

You can view your membership information in the top left corner of the Members Area (the page you see when you first log in) inside the box “Your membership”.  

What the entries mean

Member Name

• This is the name we use to address your correspondence such as newsletters and invoices.
• You can change this by clicking on the link “Change your contact details” which is in the box “Your membership” in the top left of the Members Area .
• This will open a form to send to us to request a change.
• If you are an Instructor Member, you can change the name shown on your public profile by selecting the Edit your Instructor Listing option which is in the Members Dashboard.

Membership Type

• Your membership type, such as Instructor or Ordinary Member.

TCIA Number

• This is your membership number which we quote on our invoices and newsletters.

Joined

• The date you joined the Tai Chi Internal Arts Union. If you have left and later rejoined, this will show the most recent joining date.

You can change your password at any time from your account pages. This is useful if you want a stronger password or if you feel your current one is no longer secure. 1. Open the New Password page Select Update Password from the link in the Your Membership section or go direct from this link. 2. Enter your password details You will see three boxes:

• Old Password Type your current password.
• New Password Type the new password you would like to use.
• Repeat New Password Type the same new password again to confirm it.

3. Save your new password When all three boxes are filled in, click SAVE DETAILS. Your password will update immediately. You will use the new password the next time you log in.

To request your free t-shirt please go to your Members Area and choose the Claim Offer button in the Free T-Shirt section. The form you will be asked to complete also allows you to purchase additional t-shirts. We have automated our processes to save time and members’ money and using these forms are what informs our team of your request. It also enables us to track orders and stock. It really helps us and saves members’ money when you help by using the form.

If you would like to change your postal address or email address please go to your Members Dashboard and scroll to the bottom of the page where you will find the Help and Support section. Click on the Update Details button in the Change Contact Details section or go directly to this form.

If you would like to pay your renewal fee please go to your Members Dashboard and scroll to the bottom of the page where you will find the Help and Support section. Click on the Pay Renewal button or go directly to this form.

We generally do our bookkeeping early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. If you are getting a reminder having already paid then the most likely cause is that we have yet to have time to process your payment. We’re a small team and we keep costs down by restricting when we do our administration to be as efficient as possible. You should get a receipt when we process your payment and your renewal confirmation including Instructor’s Certificate (where relevant) is sent the Tuesday after we send your receipt.

If you would like to become an Instructor Member with the Union please visit this page for more information about the application process.

If you would like to understand our current position on insurance for our members, please go to your Members Dashboard and click on the link for practical support (or visit the page directly)  where you will find this information as well as other help such as PARQ and risk assessment templates etc.

This section explains the General tab. Some fields can be changed instantly. Others need to be checked by the TCIA admin team before they appear on the website. This helps us keep member data accurate and prevents errors in public listings. To view and modify your profile, follow these steps: 1. Open the General tab Select Edit your Instructor listing from your Members Area. The page will open on the General tab. If not, click it manually. 2. Fields you will see

• Membership No, Site Membership, Member Type, Member Seniority These are set by the TCIA office and cannot be edited. They show your current membership status and level. If you have been a member for 10 or more years then this will prefix the word “senior” in front of your membership type.
• Joining Date and User ID These are system records and cannot be changed.
• First Name and Last Name You can update these if something is incorrect or you use a different teaching name. Changes may need approval before they appear publicly. Changes made here are independent of the private records we hold for you. If you need to change the way we address you, for example on our invoices and newsletters, then you need to request this on the “Change your contact details” form in the “Your Membership” section of the Members Area.
• Registration Email This is the address we use to contact you. You can update this using the “Change your contact details” form in the “Your Membership” section of the Members Area.
• Show profile on website? Select Yes if you want to appear in the public instructor search. Select No if you prefer to stay hidden.
• Club Name This appears as the title of your profile page. Changes are checked by admin before they go live.

3. Save your updates When you have made your changes, click SAVE DETAILS. If your update includes a field that requires verification (for example, a name or club name), you will see a notice saying that your revision is awaiting approval. The TCIA admin team will review it and make it live once verified. 4. Preview your changes Make sure your recent changes have been saved, then select VIEW PROVISIONAL PROFILE to see how your updates will look once approved. When your profile is updated and approved, it will appear correctly in the public instructor listings, provided you have chosen to show your profile on the website.

The Teaching Skills tab lets you list the arts and systems you teach and add a short description for your public profile. Some fields update straight away. Free-text entries are checked by the TCIA admin team before they appear on the website. 1. Opening the Teaching Skills tab Select Edit your Instructor listing from your Members Area then click the Teaching Skill tab 2. Update Art Forms You will see tick boxes for the main arts:

• Tai Chi Chuan
• Qigong
• Baguazhang
• Xingyiquan

Tick the arts you actively teach. Your choices will appear in your public profile. 3. Enter any Tai Chi Weapons or Other Training Types These sections allow you to select the weapons or additional training you offer. If the weapons you teach are not listed or there is other information you wish to add then you can add this in the section “Description for About You”. 4. Enter Internal Styles and Qigong Systems You can list the specific styles or systems you teach, such as:

• • Yang Style
  • Chen Style
  • Eight Brocades
  • Zhan Zhuang

These are free-text fields, so any updates will be reviewed before they appear publicly. 5. Add or Update Description for About You This box allows you to write a short introduction for your public profile. You can include your teaching background, approach, or any relevant experience. You can type directly into the box or use the formatting buttons to add simple text styling. As this is a free-text section, changes are checked by the admin team to keep profiles accurate and appropriate for the public website. 6. Save your updates When you have made your changes, click SAVE DETAILS. If any section requires approval, you will see a notice saying that revisions are awaiting admin review. 7. View your provisional profile Make sure your recent changes have been saved, then select VIEW PROVISIONAL PROFILE to see how your updates will appear once approved.

The Web Preferences tab controls what contact information and teaching options appear on your public profile. Everything on this tab is optional. Only add details you are happy to share openly. 1. Opening the Web Preferences tab Select Edit Your Instructor Listing from the Members Area and choose the Web Preferences tab. 2. Contact information You can provide any of the following:

• Phone A phone number students can use to reach you. Leave it blank if you prefer not to be contacted by phone.
• Email The email you want shown publicly. This can be different from your registration email.
• Web Address A link to your school website or personal teaching page.

All entries on this tab will appear on your public profile. Only enter what you are comfortable sharing. 3. Region and Town These help students find instructors in their area.

• • Select your Region from the dropdown menu.
  • Type your Town in the box provided.

This location information is used for the public search map and listings, so accuracy is helpful. 4. What type of teaching do you offer? You can indicate the types of lessons you provide:

• Face to Face?
• Private Lessons?
• Online Lessons?

Tick Yes for any that apply. This helps visitors see what formats you offer. 5. Save your updates Click SAVE DETAILS when you have made your changes. Some updates may need admin approval. If so, a message will appear saying that your changes are awaiting review. 6. Viewing your provisional profile Make sure your recent changes have been saved, then select VIEW PROVISIONAL PROFILE to see how your updates will look once they are approved.

The Training Locations tab lets you list the places where you teach. These details appear on your public profile so students can find you easily. You can add up to five locations. 1. Opening the Training Locations tab Select Edit Your Instructor Listing from your Members Area and choose the Training Locations tab. 2. What each field means

• Postcode The postcode of the place where you teach. This helps students search by area.
• What3Words what3words is a simple way to give an exact location. It uses a unique combination of three words to identify a precise 3m square anywhere in the world.

• Location Description A short line describing the venue, such as “St Mary’s Church Hall”, “Riverside Park – bandstand”, or “Community Centre Room 2”. This appears alongside the postcode and what3words address.

3. Add multiple locations If necessary, you can add up to five teaching venues. Only fill in the rows you need. Leave unused rows blank. 4. Save your updates Click SAVE DETAILS when you have entered your information. If any part of your update needs approval (usually the description fields), you will see a message saying your revisions are awaiting review. 5. View your provisional profile Make sure your recent changes have been saved, then select VIEW PROVISIONAL PROFILE to see how your teaching locations will appear once approved.