diff --git a/server/api/members/create.post.js b/server/api/members/create.post.js
index fd965ea..15ee5e7 100644
--- a/server/api/members/create.post.js
+++ b/server/api/members/create.post.js
@@ -29,15 +29,19 @@ async function inviteToSlack(member) {
       if (inviteResult.status === 'existing_user_added_to_channel' || 
           inviteResult.status === 'user_already_in_channel' || 
           inviteResult.status === 'new_user_invited_to_workspace') {
-        member.slackInviteStatus = 'sent'
-        member.slackUserId = inviteResult.userId
-        member.slackInvited = true
+        await Member.findByIdAndUpdate(
+          member._id,
+          { $set: { slackInviteStatus: 'sent', slackUserId: inviteResult.userId, slackInvited: true } },
+          { runValidators: false }
+        )
       } else {
         // Manual invitation required
-        member.slackInviteStatus = 'pending'
-        member.slackInvited = false
+        await Member.findByIdAndUpdate(
+          member._id,
+          { $set: { slackInviteStatus: 'pending', slackInvited: false } },
+          { runValidators: false }
+        )
       }
-      await member.save()
       
       // Send notification to vetting channel
       await slackService.notifyNewMember(
@@ -51,8 +55,11 @@ async function inviteToSlack(member) {
       console.warn(`Slack invitation processed: ${inviteResult.status}`)
     } else {
       // Update member record to reflect failed invitation
-      member.slackInviteStatus = 'failed'
-      await member.save()
+      await Member.findByIdAndUpdate(
+        member._id,
+        { $set: { slackInviteStatus: 'failed' } },
+        { runValidators: false }
+      )
       
       console.error(`Failed to process Slack invitation: ${inviteResult.error}`)
       // Don't throw error - member creation should still succeed
@@ -62,8 +69,11 @@ async function inviteToSlack(member) {
     
     // Update member record to reflect failed invitation
     try {
-      member.slackInviteStatus = 'failed'
-      await member.save()
+      await Member.findByIdAndUpdate(
+        member._id,
+        { $set: { slackInviteStatus: 'failed' } },
+        { runValidators: false }
+      )
     } catch (saveError) {
       console.error('Failed to update member Slack status:', saveError)
     }