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I have several issues to inquire about today - this is a new position for me so patience is requested .
When we receive gifts that come in from a 3rd party event, they are coded with an appeal that identifies them as being from a 3rd party event (there is one appeal created each year for all 3rd party events). Appeals here are used more for identifying departments/programs, rather than identifying mailings or solicitations. Packages sometimes identify specific solicitations, but they are not always used.
When the gift is entered, the gift must be attached to the actual event that it is related to, as well as the appeal. If the gift entry person forgets to attach the gift to the actual event (which seems to happen often), there is no way to easily know what event the gift was related to without pulling the batches from the hard files. Sounds crazy - right?
Attaching the gifts to the actual event is crucial here because a report that generates dollars per event is pulled by that criteria.
Does someone have ideas on how to best identify each gift and what event it came from without actually attaching the gift to the event? An Attribute? I have set up an audit query to catch these gifts so we can go back and attach them if need be - but I need to be able to easily identify the event
by looking at the gift.
*By the way - they used to have different appeals for each event, so that has been tried already and scrapped.
I have a couple of suggestions that might help. You mentioned the possibility of an attribute. That is certainly a possibility. The Gift Code field is another if you are not already using it for something else. In either case, you can add the field to your batch template, and even set a default value for it if that makes sense. Seeing the field in the template should at least trigger the thought processes to add the information. If you use the attribute solution, you could call it something like Event Link with a table of values that includes NONE. You could then make the attribute required for all gifts, and use NONE when the gift is not linked to an event. Maybe more trouble than help, but it would guarantee the information is there for all gifts.
__________________ Jo Ward Raiser's Edge Consultant Houston, TX 713-572-1453
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
Thanks to you both. The reason given for scrapping the individual appeal idea was that it created too many appeals. Melissa, I like your batch coding idea for the time being and I will also do the research for a possible change in procedure.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
I am such a fan of different appeals for each event for analysis
purposes that I will have a hard time giving other advice. I can't
imagine why something like that was scrapped - it is so helpful to add
the appeal to all invitees appeals tab - add the appeal to all gifts and
get a response rate, average gift size, etc. for each event so you can
analyze which events are better producing. Not knowing this leads to
lots of wasted time and money on events you don't often realize are
wasteful.
You can also target donors to specific events with follow up mailings,
your next event invitation, etc. Not having them coded by appeal makes
that difficult, if not impossible.
I would spend some time reading past posts on campaign, fund and appeal
setup and if you are in a position of database manager create a proposal
for changes with some meat to it showing how RE best supports the use of
these fields. Not using them in the way BB intended limits your use of
canned reports for reporting and analysis.
Assuming you can't convince them that separate appeals can be managed
and can produce helpful analysis...
The only trick I can advise is the batch color legend. I have set up my
color legend in batch to turn the row text orange when it is linked to
an event. If not linked it stays green. So you can easily see in batch
which gifts were linked and not linked before you commit.
Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children
The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.
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