Open Invitation Model
Before choosing an open invitation model, be sure you understand the challenges with this method of inviting people into Realm.
The Open invitation model allows visitors to your website or visitors with your customized Realm URL (onrealm.org/yourchurchnamehere) a way to create a login on their own. When using this model, you do not need to invite people in, but you do have a responsibility to educate your flock about their personal privacy settings. You'll also want to monitor your activity dashboard on a daily basis to see who has signed up.
Because new registrants can view the online directory (including non-private profile information), we recommend using the open invitation model for a limited period of time, such as when you first roll out Realm, a specific promotion period, or season when you want to encourage people to sign up instead of sending out invitations. See What Can New Account Holders See?
To check what invitation-model you're using, go to and click the Invitation Model tab. If you have selected the open invitation model, this means the Sign Up button on your log in page is visible. Remember, you can change your invitation model at any time.
Do I Need to Use the Open Invitation Model for Online Giving Forms or Event Registration?
The answer to this question is..."It depends on your goal." There are options for encouraging non-registered users to give or sign up to attend an event. If that is your goal, the invite only model will likely be sufficient. If, however, your goal is to encourage people to also create an account in Realm, we suggest you educate your congregants about privacy settings, turn the open invitation model on and then monitor new registrations daily.
To receive online donations, you can use either invitation model along with giving forms published to your web page. See help for "Online Giving Forms". The giving form collects enough information that an non-registered user can give one time or recurring gifts online. If you want congregants to manage their recurring gifts, you can send them an invitation.
Invite only model - Giving forms used with the invite only model DO NOT give a donor the ability to create an account.
Open invitation model - Giving forms DO give the donor the ability to create an account.
Similarly, you can create a URL that allows people without logins to register and pay for events through your website. Search help for "Share a Registration Event Link."
- Invite only model - You can register for an event and you can make a partial or full payment for the event without creating an account.
- Open invitation model - Functions the same as the invite only model. You can register for an event and make a partial or full payment for the event, but you cannot create an account during the registration process.