Action types and Action notepad types - Expert knowledge needed

rtrachsel@lalgbtcenter.org

Hi All, I work at the largest local LGBT nonprofit in the nation and our major gifts and some of our annual giving program relies heavily on actions to track solicitor progress and moves. I've come into an organization where no one person has ever really owned RE. Now I've taken it upon myself to clean up the database. Right now I'm cleaning up our Action Types and our Action Notepad Types. Does anyone have a document that lists suggested types for each? I cannot find any best practices info on this through Blackbaud or searching other RE-related websites. Also, am I correct in assuming that I will have more Action Notepad Types than Action Types? That action types are the specific type of action (more specific than the Action categories that are non-changeable) and that action notepad type should be what the note is about? ANY ADVICE or guidance is much appreciated. Thank you all very much!

Michael Langley

Rebekah Trachsel:
Hi All, I work at the largest local LGBT nonprofit in the nation and our major gifts and some of our annual giving program relies heavily on actions to track solicitor progress and moves. I've come into an organization where no one person has ever really owned RE. Now I've taken it upon myself to clean up the database. Right now I'm cleaning up our Action Types and our Action Notepad Types. Does anyone have a document that lists suggested types for each? I cannot find any best practices info on this through Blackbaud or searching other RE-related websites. Also, am I correct in assuming that I will have more Action Notepad Types than Action Types? That action types are the specific type of action (more specific than the Action categories that are non-changeable) and that action notepad type should be what the note is about? ANY ADVICE or guidance is much appreciated. Thank you all very much!

Hi Rebekah,

Here are the list that we use:

Action Types: Attend Event, Communications, Cultivation, Event Invitation, Greeting Card, Newsletter, Solicitation, Staff Reminder, and Stewardship

These have been narrowed down over the years

Notepad types mirror the action categories:

Email, Mailing, Meeting, Phone Call, Task/Other

We find that these work really well for us.

 Michael