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Enabling Google Login for Spokane Mountaineers Members

Published: December 2025 | Category: Experience Cloud Enhancements

The Problem We Solved

Our members were asking for a simpler way to log in to the Spokane Mountaineers website. Many of them already use Google accounts for other services, and having to remember yet another password was becoming a barrier to accessing our community portal.

We wanted to enable "Sign in with Google" functionality while ensuring that:

  • Only existing members could use it (no bypassing our Donorbox registration process)
  • The login would reliably match members to their existing accounts
  • Members would get clear guidance if something went wrong

Our Solution: Google OAuth with Smart Account Matching

We implemented Google OAuth authentication that allows members to sign in using their Google account, but only if they already have a membership account created through our Donorbox registration process.

How It Works

When a member clicks "Sign in with Google" on our login page:

  1. They authenticate with Google - Google verifies their identity
  2. We match their account - Our system looks up their existing membership account using their email address
  3. They're logged in - If a match is found, they're automatically signed in to their account

Why We Use Username Matching

We match member accounts by username pattern rather than email address. This approach provides several advantages:

  • Usernames can't be changed - Once set, they remain constant
  • Email addresses can change - Members might update their email in Salesforce but still use their old Google account
  • More predictable - We always know the format: email@example.com.smi

This ensures that even if a member updates their email address in Salesforce, they can still log in with their Google account as long as their username follows the expected pattern.

What Members Experience

For Existing Members

If you already have a membership account:

  1. Click "Sign in with Google" on the login page
  2. Choose your Google account
  3. You're automatically logged in!

The system recognizes your account and signs you in seamlessly.

For New Members

If you don't have a membership account yet:

  1. Click "Sign in with Google" on the login page
  2. Choose your Google account
  3. You'll see a helpful message directing you to:

This ensures that new memberships still go through our proper registration and payment process via Donorbox.

If Something Goes Wrong

If you have an account but Google login isn't working:

  1. Use your regular login - Your standard username/password login still works
  2. Contact support - Email webdev@spokanemountaineers.org and we'll help you link your Google account

Benefits for Members

  • One less password to remember - Use your existing Google account
  • Faster login - No need to type username and password
  • Secure - Google handles authentication securely
  • Convenient - Works on any device where you're signed into Google

Technical Details

For technical implementation details, see our Google Login Automation documentation.

Future Improvements

We're always looking to improve the member experience. Potential future enhancements include:

  • Support for additional authentication providers
  • Automatic account linking for existing members
  • Enhanced error messages for edge cases

Questions or Issues?

If you have questions about Google login or encounter any issues, please contact our tech team at webdev@spokanemountaineers.org.