August 2008 Newsletter
Nonprofit Neighborhood
Recent Product Enhancement
Free Upgrade to Meetings & Events Software Module
We've recently made a number of enhancements to thedatabank's Meetings & Events Software Module. Here are some highlights:
- Hours tracking and search
- Roster report
- Appointment export
- Tell A Friend
- HCalendar export
- Preview link from the Edit Meeting screen
All of these great features are now available with no change in price. Read about the details.
With the Meetings & Events Software Module, people can search a customized online calendar for meetings and events. Participants are automatically added to your Databank. You can send reminders, track attendance, and follow up using the built-in database and communication tools.
New US Postal Service Mail Requirements Go Into Effect This November
Does your organization send bulk mail? If so, you should be aware of this change in the USPS Move Update standard, effective November 23, 2008.
- Move Updates will be required within 95 days prior to the date of mailing.
- It applies to presorted first class and standard mail.
- Many nonprofit mailings, that were previously exempt, will now be required to follow this standard.
thedatabank's NCOA (National Change of Address) service meets the new Move Update standard, provided you have it completed within 95 days of mailing. We check your data against the USPS change of address records, and provide updates when available. Do it on a quarterly schedule, and you have continuous compliance.
We offer NCOA service at the low rate of $3.25/thousand ($100 minimum) and a small additional charge may apply for updating your Databank with the new addresses. This service captures address changes in the past 18 months.
If you are interested in scheduling quarterly NCOA service at a reduced rate, please contact your account manager or email info@thedatabank.com .
Using Text Messaging for GOTV
Both political campaigns and nonprofit organizations are beginning to recognize the power of text messaging to mobilize people and get them to the polls.
But how do you persuade people to give your organization their mobile phone number? This article in the New York Times explains how the Obama campaign is doing it:
Text the Vote
Did you know thedatabank offers integrated text messaging as a free feature? A 160-character message can be sent to any selection, as long as they have opted in and indicated their mobile service provider.
New Clients
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy - Founded in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is a private, nonprofit organization working to protect land and promote sound land use planning on Maryland's Eastern Shore. ESLC is excited to be a part of thedatabank and plans to use the service to help with bulk email, Advocacy Software Module and online Fundraising Software Module.
Metro Washington AFL-CIO - The Metropolitan Washington Council is the local arm of the AFL-CIO, with 185 affiliated union locals in the metro Washington DC area representing over 150,000 area union members in every line of work, from service industries, retail sales and communications to transportation, manufacturing, construction trades and, of course, the public sector at all levels. The Council, which has built up a database of nearly 15,000 activists, will use the Databank to mobilize more quickly and effectively, whether to turn out union voters, boost rally attendance or increase its fundraising capability.
WDCB Public Radio - WDCB is a public radio station, broadcasting jazz, folk, and classical music to northeastern Illinois out of the College of DuPage. Check out their music by listening online. The Databank will help them manage online and offline fundraising and events in one place. WDCB chose the Fundraising Software Module, eMarketing Software Module and the Advanced Data Entry power tool. Legend has it that after the initial demo, a mild-mannered membership coordinator was observed skipping down the hall, delighted.
Reflecting on a Decade
What Will the Next Ten Years Bring?!
by thedatabank Co-Founder Chris Hanson
In couple of months thedatabank will celebrate its official 10 year anniversary of setting up our first client. Currently, I am going through old records to try and figure out the exact day that occurred in November, 1998. If I had had more foresight I would have marked the date down somewhere that I could easily retrieve it. Then I would just have to remember where I wrote it down, which could be a problem itself.
The point is, 10 years ago, when we were building the beginnings of thedatabank, Mark and I had many discussions about what we wanted to do with the company. At one point we each wrote down short-term and long-term goals (I don't know where those are either). I do remember that our long-term goals were 5 years in the future, and here we are in our 10th year. Back in 1998, is was impossible for us to think 10 years into the future, in large part because we were so focused on dealing with the present. I also think this is partly due to our culture in the USA which is so focused on short-term success, often at the detriment of long-term sustainability.
This point has been made clearer to me as I have been watching the Olympics. I must admit that I am an avid sports fan and am currently a bit sleep deprived, so I apologize for any mental lapses in what I'm saying. Blame it on late night gymnastics. Anyway, I am humbled by the long-term dedication of these athletes to pursuing their dreams. A prime example is Dara Torres in her 5th Olympics, defying the odds by being the one of the best female swimmers in the world at age 41. She has been swimming internationally since she was 14 years old and still does what it takes to be successful.
So, for the next several months I am going to focus part of my energy here at thedatabank looking forward to think about the next 10 years. The last 10 have been exciting, confusing, gut-wrenching, hard work with a lot of rewards. I am working on trying to be more long-term in my thinking. It's not easy. If any of you have some ways to do this that have worked for you I would love to hear them. Please email me at chris@thedatabank.com. In the meantime keep up the good work.
Peace - Chris
Tip du Jour
Standardize Contact History Entries for Effective Searches
When adding or editing contact records, Databank users can now select Contact By and Contact Type from a drop-down list, or enter a new value. This will help you keep your data entry consistent, making it easier to search and filter contact histories.
Our newest tutorial gives you a 3-minute overview of how to use the Contact History and highlights the new features.
Karen's Blog
In Emergency
I have been in Urgent Care twice in the past two weeks. My first visit was at the Paris airport, because I twisted my knee getting off the plane. We had to rearrange our vacation itinerary a bit to accommodate crutches. I had been trying to learn a little French before the trip, and providentially remembered a phrase I never expected to use: "Avez-vous un chaise roulante?" The second visit was yesterday, when I sliced my finger open with a paring knife.
With this in mind, I am writing this month about what to do when you have a Databank emergency: a technical problem, a how-to question, a change needed to an online form, and the like.
Your first instinct is probably to phone or email someone here at thedatabank. That is, in fact, not usually the most effective way to get help in an urgent situation. The person you contact might be in a meeting...or in Paris.
Our preferred way to receive your call for help is through an electronic Support Request, under the Help menu in your Databank. This has a few benefits:
- During business hours, someone is always monitoring these so that we can respond within an hour or less.
- We can quickly forward them to the person who is best able to respond.
- They come with essential information that helps us diagnose the problem and reply, e.g. your contact info, your account and user ID, and some data on what was happening in your Databank the time an error occurred.
- The standard format helps us to track requests and identify recurring usage problems.
Of course, there are situations where it's impossible or impractical to use the Support Request. (For example, if you can't log in or your internet is down.) And do call your account manager if you have a complaint, suggestion, compliment, change to your account, or change in staff.
If you're bleeding , I'm afraid we're useless, no matter what method you use to contact us.
Karen
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