Sarah's Shortcuts: What's on your to-do list?

Sarah McBride — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:53:00 GMT

Like most type A's, I'm a big fan of organization and structure. I am especially fond of to-do lists, so much so that I periodically make up "tasks" just so I can check them off. Drive to work...check. Fill up my water bottle...check. You know you've done it, too. Or maybe I'm just odd, but there's something to be said for a quick sense of accomplishment.

Overall though, to-do lists help me stay on track. When work starts to pile up, it seems my attention is pulled in fifty directions, and it helps to have a reminder of what needs to get done. I've witnessed how life in a development office can become equally hectic amidst the array of daily tasks, meetings, and follow-up contacts with current or prospective constituents. If you're not already doing so, you may want to take advantage of action reminders in The Raiser's Edge.

To create action reminders (BB35679):

Add a new action or open an existing action.
On the General tab, mark the Auto-Remind checkbox and click Notify.
Use the arrows to move your name (or other users' names) into the Notify these users frame and select to notify using these options: Raiser's Edge reminders, Outlook Appointments, or Both.
Click OK to return to the action record. Set the reminder for a designated number of days, weeks, or months before the action date.
Click Save and Close.

If you select to be notified by Raiser's Edge reminders (step 3), you can create your to-do list on the Home page of The Raiser's Edge (BB520563):

Select Tools, User Options from the menu bar.
On the Home tab, click Panels.
In Available Panels frame, highlight and mark Action Reminders.

To take your organization skills a step further, you can integrate action reminders with Outlook appointments. Check out How to create an Outlook appointment from a Raiser's Edge action record (BB55175) for more info.

Hope this brings you more peace of mind! If anything, at least you know you'll be helping the environment by eliminating countless paper to-do lists.

Tips and Tricks: Using your Home Page

Katy McGinnis — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:12:00 GMT

Are there functions that you use on a daily basis in RE that are a little more than a point and click away? RE has the solution: Favorites. With Favorites, you indicate that a specific mailing/record/report/query is a favorite (click on the Folder image with Star on it from within the Record). Marking this option adds the function to your Home page so that you can simply point, click, and run (kind of like a Windows shortcut ).

Other reasons to use favorites:

- You can view dashboard panels on this screen. For example, the action reminders Dashboard will allow users to view pending actions - those that have yet to be completed. This will provide a more dynamic approach to fundraising.
- Use Quick Find to open a constituent or make a whole constituent record a favorite!
- Do you really love your Gift Detail & Summary report? Make it a favorite! You will then see it listed on your Home page where you can run your report directly.
- RE will work with other programs to open web pages, specific Documents, or Spreadsheet files.

With this option, you can get to the point where you can work almost directly within the Home page! You can even organize your favorites in a method that works for you. So go get comfortable in your Home page!

The User's Edge : action reminders

Sarah's Shortcuts: What's on your to-do list?

Tips and Tricks: Using your Home Page