Spend less time managing different systems and more time delivering a positive and engaging member experience.
Updated 10/15/26
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| What's Happening and Why | Business Practice Changes | The New Y Community Portal | Associate Training | Communications | Frequently Asked Questions |
A New Digital Experience Is Coming to the Y
What's Happening and Why
The Y is transitioning from Daxko to Traction Rec to provide a more robust associate and member experience. As our new customer relationship management (CRM) system, Traction Rec will connect membership, program registration, scheduling, communications, and reporting in one integrated system.
Key Benefits
Work Smarter, Not Harder
360° Member View
Better understand member needs and identify opportunities for deeper engagement.
New Online Member Experience
Manage accounts, register, join, apply for assistance, sign waivers, donate, volunteer, and connect with customer service—all in the new Y Community Portal!
Business Practice Changes
When Traction Rec launches on October 28, a few new Y Family Center business practices will also be implemented.
- Cash and Checks No Longer Accepted 💵
Many cashless options are very common these days. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets will be accepted. Note: For instances where corporate checks are received, centers will need to ensure they get to the Association Office. More info on how this will be managed is forthcoming.
- Membership Draft Date: 1st of the Month Only 📅
All new memberships will draft on the 1st of the month. At this time, existing members will continue to draft on either the 1st or 15th of the month.
- Use "Cases" to Connect with Customer Service 👩🏻💼
Cases track and manage Customer Service inquiries and requests from start to finish. Members and associates will submit a Case when Customer Service support is needed. Cases are part of our new Y Community Portal.
- Stay & Play Check-In Using Alaris 🖥️
Alaris is a digital check-in system that integrates with Traction Rec. With Alaris, we are able to:
use tablets and digital signatures; track Stay & Play ratios; keeps real-time waitlists; notify parents of waitlist status and emergencies; print name labels; manage medical, allergy, authorized pickup, and behavioral notes
Introducing the New Y Community Portal
One of the most exciting features about Traction Rec is our new Y Community Portal. Members will be able to access membership, register for programs, manage their Y account, and more—all in one convenient space!
All new and existing members and participants will need to create a Y Community Portal account once we go live with Traction Rec. At least one valid, unique email address per Y account is required to access the Y Community Portal. Members and participants must use the email address on file at the Y to create their account.
How to Create a Y Community Portal Account
All new and existing members and participants will need to create a Y Community Portal account once we go live with Traction Rec.
Associate Training
Training is one of the most important components of a successful launch. At this time, many Y Family Center associates are participating in role-based learning designed to prepare you for daily use of the new system.
Please prioritize completion of all assigned training activities. Your readiness directly contributes to a successful member experience.
Not sure if you're on the training list? Check with your supervisor today.
Traction Rec Introduction (90 Minutes)
Introduces associates to Traction Rec and the Salesforce platform that supports it. Learners will explore new terminology (Traction Rec has different terms and processes from Daxko), how information is organized, the Sandbox (a replicate of our system for practice purposes), navigating the system, best practices, and troubleshooting resources.
Assigned to:
Front Desk Associates
FCOAs
Fitness Associates (Fitness Floor and PT)
Program Associates
Sports Instructors
Swim Instructors
Directors
Associate Executive Directors
Center Directors
Experience Team
Traction Rec Essentials (120 Min)
Prepares associates to complete common frontline tasks in Traction Rec to develop essential skills in Memberships, Point of Sale, Program Registration, and Payments. Associates must complete the Traction Rec Introduction e-learning before beginning this training.
Assigned to:
Front Desk Associates
FCOAs
Fitness Associates
Directors
Associate Executive Directors
Center Directors
Experience Team
Alaris Training for Stay & Play
Alaris is a digital check-in system that integrates with Traction Rec. We will start using Alaris to check children into Stay & Play in early November.
With Alaris, we are able to: use tablets and digital signatures; track Stay & Play ratios; keeps real-time waitlists; notify parents of waitlist status and emergencies; print name labels; manage medical, allergy, authorized pickup, and behavioral notes.
Alaris training has been assigned to the appropriate Y Family Center associates in Dayforce.
Traction Rec Training
In-person trainings will be held at Y Family Centers to provide hands-on experience for frontline associates in their everyday environment. Associates must complete Traction Rec e-learnings in Dayforce before attending in-person sessions.
Please check with your supervisor for the Y Family Center in-person training schedule and associate list.
Alaris Training
In-person training for Alaris, our new Stay & Play check-in system will be held at Y Family Centers to provide hands-on learning.
With Alaris, we are able to: use tablets and digital signatures; track Stay & Play ratios; keeps real-time waitlists; notify parents of waitlist status and emergencies; print name labels; manage medical, allergy, authorized pickup, and behavioral notes.
Super Users are associates who have been instrumental in testing the buildout of Traction Rec over the past several months. This team of associates have participated in advanced training to help ensure our essential business processes work ask expected.
Super Users will serve as Y Family Center resources throughout the associate training period. They will assist with:
- Answering questions
- Demonstrating workflows
- Providing peer support
- Escalating issues when necessary
Check with your supervisor to learn who the designated Super Users are at your Y Family Center.
Associates will be updated on all things Traction Rec through various communication channels and methods, all of which will link to this Y Associate Information Page. Associates must read/view all communications to stay informed.
- Weekly Emails: Need-to-know information, associate training and resources, advance notice of member communications
- Website: Dedicated Traction Rec Y Associate Information Page, updated regularly, check back often
- In Person: Information sharing through various trainings, team meetings, etc.
- Dayforce Hub, Daxko Login: Reminders, easy access to the Y Associate Information Page
Member communications will help members prepare for the transition to Traction Rec. Multiple communication channels and methods will be used. Notice of member communications will be shared with associates approximately two days in advance.
- Emails: Inform members about Traction Rec, help members prepare for a smooth transition
- Website: Dedicated Traction Rec Member Information Page, updated regularly
- In Center, Text: Key messages/actions, easy access to Y Member Information Page
- Center eNewsletters, YMCA360, Social Media: Reminders, easy access to Y Member Information Page
Members must verify their information in Daxko.
- Before 10/5: Update or remove expired credit cards on file
- Before 10/12: Verify or update email, phone number, and mailing address
Member information can be updated online through My Account or at the front desk. At least one, valid, unique email address is required to access the new Y Community Portal. The email address cannot be duplicated for multiple household members.
NEW: Members who verify their email address (confirm it's correct, add email, change email) before October 12 will receive 25 bonus points in YMCA360 to redeem Y Rewards!
Members can stay up to date at ymaryland.org/newexperience.
- Reminders to verify email address and other account details
- EXTENDED! Members who verify their email address (confirm it's correct, add email, change email) by 11:59pm this Sunday, October 18 will receive 25 bonus points in YMCA360 to redeem Y Rewards!
Member information can be updated online through My Account or at the front desk. At least one, valid, unique email address is required to access the new Y Community Portal. The email address cannot be duplicated for multiple household members.
- How to create a Y Community Portal account once Traction Rec goes live
- Y Community Portal features
- Alaris Stay & Play check-in
- Updating account details (credit cards, email, etc.)
Timeline
Traction Rec will launch on Wednesday, October 28. Here's how we will get there.
| February - September 2026 | Traction Rec system development and testing |
|
| Starting September 21 | Dayforce e-learning assignments |
|
| Starting September 21 | Y Family Center in-person associate training |
|
| September 21-30 | Super User End-to-End UAT (User Acceptance Testing) |
|
| By October 5 | Members must verify credit card information before October 5 |
| By October 18 | EXTENDED! Members must verify contact information in Daxko by 11:59pm on Sunday, October 18 | |
| October 28 | Traction Rec and Alaris goes live! 🎉 |
Traction Rec is a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that is used to connect membership, program registration, scheduling, communications, and reporting in one integrated system.
We have outgrown our current system (Daxko) and need a more capable solution to support our operational needs. We are replacing Daxko with Traction Rec so we can provide a modern, more robust associate and member experience—both in person and online.
Dayforce e-learnings, in-person training, and Super User support will be available to Y associates starting September 21. Go to Associate Training for more information.
Members will receive weekly updates starting the week of September 21. Communications will focus on the information they need to know to help them prepare for the transition to Traction Rec and ensure a seamless member experience.
Notice of member communications will be shared with associates approximately 2-3 days in advance.
Go to Communications for more information.