Changing Amendment defaults

David Lacey

When we create a new amendment the default value for a recurring gift all the details of the recurring gift are copied to the amendment. Which means that the default value for the Acknowledge is 'Acknowledged'. If this field isn't altered by hand to 'Not Acknowledged' then the mailing for Amendments will skip this entry. Which is just another step that can go wrong during data entry in busy times. Does anybody know if it is possible to change the default fotr a new amendment to Not Acknowledge automatically, perhaps through a business rule? Thanks

Ryan Hyde

One way to do this would be to edit your batch template to include a column for Acknowledge and Acknowledge Date. Then when you pull your gifts into the batch, you can globally change "Acknolwedged" to "Not Acknowledged" and zero out the acknowledge date. It still takes a few clicks, but you don't have to click into each gift to fix the problem. 


At my org, though, we don't send acknowledgements for automatic recurring gifts. People with recurring gifts are sent a yearly tax letter with their giving totals and transaction dates & amounts. I've yet to hear from a donor who wants monthly letters for these kinds of gifts. Just a thought.

JoAnn Strommen

As it's not really a 'default set' that fills those fields but just fields like fund that are carried over, I don't know that you could really change it.  You could try a business rule but not sure if it's possible or if it would get the attention of your data entry staff.  After a while they are just a nuisance - needed, valuable reminder and all but too many can become annoying.


Don't know that you can change for amendments in batch.  I think changing field and removing date as Ryan suggested will remove the data from original gift record.  Am guessing you don't want to do that.

Ryan Hyde

No, that won't change anything for the gift record. The gifts in the batch are the "recuring gift pay-cash" entries that would be created each month. Changing the acknowledgement information in the batch would simply override the values being brought over from the originating recurring gift. It would not change the recurring gift itself.

David Lacey

Thanks all for your input. These amendments are mainly for upgrades and downgrades that are phoned or (e)mailed in and are entered directly against the Recurring Gift record, not batched up. We then send out confirmation letters for these changes. It looks as if we will have to introduce the extra step of un-acknowledging the amendment by hand to ensure the mailing system sees them.

David

Maire Moriarty

David Lacey:

Thanks all for your input. These amendments are mainly for upgrades and downgrades that are phoned or (e)mailed in and are entered directly against the Recurring Gift record, not batched up. We then send out confirmation letters for these changes. It looks as if we will have to introduce the extra step of un-acknowledging the amendment by hand to ensure the mailing system sees them.

David

Hi David,


Have you looked into sending a Reminder mailing instead of a donor acknowledgement mailing? On the gift types tab you can narrow down just to send "reminders" just for amendments, and it'll automatically bring them in based on your parameters - regardless of "acknowledged" status.


Let me know what you think!

Maire