Im new to RE and queries are killing me !!

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Charisa Robertson
Charisa Robertson ✭
Tenth Anniversary Photogenic First Reply
in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®: General Discussion
Hi everyone !! 

I recently started my position as a development coordinator with no experience with RE. With the training that I have received so far and my ability to catch on quickly I have been able to be effective in my role.....until now... (Queries: enter stage left !!)



I am a bit frustrated because no matter how hard I try or I think I know what I am doing I seem to get lost at some point when executing a query. I havent had a lot of training with queries, so that is what leads me to my post. 



What would anyone suggest would be the best place to start with getting training on query in RE? What has worked for you ? What things have you done to help improve your skills in running queries ? What are some best practices or things I must know about query in RE from a how to aspect ? 



I welcome any and all suggestions !
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Comments

  • Karen Stuhlfeier
    Karen Stuhlfeier ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 3 Name Dropper Photogenic
    If you're able to take a query class from Blackbaud I would do that. When I started my job 12 years ago I was fortunate that my boss believed in the proper training. The cost is worth it.
  • Charisa Robertson
    Charisa Robertson ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Photogenic First Reply

    Karen Stuhlfeier:

    If you're able to take a query class from Blackbaud I would do that. When I started my job 12 years ago I was fortunate that my boss believed in the proper training. The cost is worth it.

    Thanks Karen ! About 2 weeks ago we purchased the RE Learn Everything subscription and I will be looking into courses or whatever they have available on queries this week! smiley

  • Karen Stuhlfeier
    Karen Stuhlfeier ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 3 Name Dropper Photogenic
    You'll learn a lot that way. Good luck!
  • Alan French
    Alan French ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 3 Name Dropper Photogenic
    When I was starting out with queries, I'd often add an additional criterion of "Constituent ID equals" to limit the results to just my own constituent record (I happen to be an alumnus so my record has plenty of information: education, appeals, gifts, address history etc.)



    The benefit of this is that I know my own information very well, so if a query gives me a result I wasn't expecting, e.g. 4 gifts when I know I've only given 2, it gives me a bit of a starting point to look for anything I might have done wrong.
  • Patti Hommes, bCRE-PRO
    Patti Hommes, bCRE-PRO ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 2 Photogenic
    Definitely try to take advantage of the classes offered by Blackbaud University. On the Blackbaud Support site go to Training Central. The classes are well worth the cost! And, if you are able to attend BBCon 2015 there are sessions on queries and much more!! 

    http://bbconference.com/

     
  • Gina Gerhard
    Gina Gerhard ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 3 Photogenic
    In addition to the great info above, I'll just add some comments:
    • One of the keys to mastering queries is in-depth understanding of how RE organizes data (especially certain areas like organization relationships, how addresses work, gift data and soft-crediting, etc.).
    • You need to then understand how your organization has chosen to structure their data within RE.  
      • You can run into issues if your organization has not followed recommended practices around entering, categorizing, and maintaining data.  Sometimes the head-scratching is due to 'non-complying' data or practices that were put in place but perhaps not best-practice.
    • So this may be a joint effort between you just learning the product and understanding how the data has been entered within your organization's data system.
  • John Heizer
    John Heizer ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 3 Photogenic
    And always remeber the mantra "Query is a grouping tool, not a reporting tool."   Use Query to determine which records, but use Export to get the data out.
  • Christine Cooke 2
    Christine Cooke 2 ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 4 Name Dropper Photogenic

    John Heizer:

    And always remeber the mantra "Query is a grouping tool, not a reporting tool."   Use Query to determine which records, but use Export to get the data out.

    Use Export and/or the canned reports to get the data out.  There are times when the canned report will group info into a query (another grouping tool), and then you can Export from there.

  • Rene Deras
    Rene Deras ✭
    Tenth Anniversary First Reply
    The blackbaud trainings are fgreat for this type of topic.  check them out.
  • Dawn Lee
    Dawn Lee ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    The online trainings available to do at your own pace are really helpful!

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