Event Module Assistance

Options
Danielle Allen 2
Danielle Allen 2 ✭
Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®: General Discussion
We have recently started using the Event Module in RE and we are really struggling to figure out how to use it and the Blackbaud training doesn't answer our specific questions.



Would anyone with event experience be willing to connect with us directly to answer some questions?



Right now we are struggling with the fact that unlike Eventbrite (which we always used in the past) - we cannot check guests in online (from a webpage or from an app) because we do not as an organization, have an iPad. We switched everything off Eventbrite and switched to Online Express / the Event module and now we are left wondering how on earth to check in 400+ people at our big event in 2 weeks. At this rate, we won't be using OE and the Event Module for future events which is really too bad as we love how it (until now) connected everything with our database.



If anyone could help us with some specific Event Module questions, we could really use the help.
Tagged:

Comments

  • John Heizer
    John Heizer ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 3 Photogenic
    I'll be happy to help.  But my #1 piece of advice is that if you've invested the $ in the Event module, invest a little more and get an iPad or two.  Or borrow from staff/friends.  Or even rent.  If that simply isn't possible, go to paper.  Print lists of invitees and check them off as they arrive then update RE with that information after the event.
  • Danielle Allen 2
    Danielle Allen 2 ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic

    John Heizer:

    I'll be happy to help.  But my #1 piece of advice is that if you've invested the $ in the Event module, invest a little more and get an iPad or two.  Or borrow from staff/friends.  Or even rent.  If that simply isn't possible, go to paper.  Print lists of invitees and check them off as they arrive then update RE with that information after the event.

    Thanks John - when we moved to RE:NXT we were given the module free and we'd just purchased 4 Android tablets so... we are pretty frustrated that there isn't more support for check-in.

  • Jen Claudy
    Jen Claudy ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 4 Name Dropper Photogenic
    Look for this in the Idea Bank and vote it up if it's there or add it if it's not.



    I've had similar struggles with a piece of software at an org where I volunteer.  They stopped supporting Android almost 2 years ago because they said only 4% of their users are on Android.  That 4% includes both me as the Volunteer House Manager and my cohort as the Volunteer Box Office Assistant.  So we end up using iPhones owned by our ushers, or tearing tickets and borrowing a device to scan them in later, because you also cannot check someone in via the desktop software program (nor fix it when the iphone app messes up and admits the subscription tickets for the next concert instead of this one).



    If you have NXT open on your phone, are you able to check them in there yet?  They might not be done with that piece, I haven't needed to look, but that might be an option at least for troubleshooting if someone is or is not on the list.  I would definitely post in the NXT Idea Bank, and also reach out to Support and see if at the very least you can be on a Discovery Call about the Event Module to make it better in the future.
  • Becky Vodrey
    Becky Vodrey ✭
    Ancient Membership First Reply
    I agree that using old-fashioned "pen and paper" check-in doesn't seem to be the best way when you have invested time and money in the RE Events module! We have a few events where our check-in is located outdoors, which also presents challenges, such as wi-fi range and having the iPad screen unreadable when you're wearing polarized lenses! So, at our most recent event, we had both check-in methods available. It turned out that using "pen and paper" facilitated the online check-in by making it quick and easy to use the iPad to follow-up and update the database with the attendees! I was able to update the database from the "pen and paper" during downtimes in the check-in!



    Also, borrowing an iPad for an event is a great work-around to test it out and see if it meets your needs -- before investing in purchasing one!



    Good luck!
  • Danielle Allen 2
    Danielle Allen 2 ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    I like the idea of using pen and paper and then using one borrowed iPad to quickly update the database. For our upcoming event, the only available location to do check-in is also outdoors so this may also be the best for us. We just worry about checking in hundreds of people in a small time window. It's shocking to me that there is literally only ONE way to check people in. Thanks!
  • Danielle Allen 2
    Danielle Allen 2 ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic

    Jennifer Claudy:

    Look for this in the Idea Bank and vote it up if it's there or add it if it's not.



    I've had similar struggles with a piece of software at an org where I volunteer.  They stopped supporting Android almost 2 years ago because they said only 4% of their users are on Android.  That 4% includes both me as the Volunteer House Manager and my cohort as the Volunteer Box Office Assistant.  So we end up using iPhones owned by our ushers, or tearing tickets and borrowing a device to scan them in later, because you also cannot check someone in via the desktop software program (nor fix it when the iphone app messes up and admits the subscription tickets for the next concert instead of this one).



    If you have NXT open on your phone, are you able to check them in there yet?  They might not be done with that piece, I haven't needed to look, but that might be an option at least for troubleshooting if someone is or is not on the list.  I would definitely post in the NXT Idea Bank, and also reach out to Support and see if at the very least you can be on a Discovery Call about the Event Module to make it better in the future.

    Unfortunately it's not available in NXT. The functions in NXT are currently pretty limited. You can't access Event info at all.

    I put the idea here, if anyone else would like to vote for it; https://rediscovery.uservoice.com/forums/137015-raiser-s-edge-discovery-topics/suggestions/10221510-guest-check-in-without-an-ipad

  • Elaine Tucker
    Elaine Tucker ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 2 Name Dropper Photogenic
    Before we started using the Event APP, we used Check in Easy - you can use it on your phone or on the web.

    https://checkineasy.com/



    It has some cool features like filtering by who has or has not checked in, and since it works off an excell file that you upload, the fields and information available is pretty customizable.



    Hope this helps.
  • Cindy Wilke
    Cindy Wilke ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Photogenic First Reply
    We've always checked people in using pen and paper. I'm intrigued about checking them in online, but we typically don't have wifi access at our venues.

Categories