Is anyone using the Events Module and having difficulty or working well with it? I've just begun a new position and understand my predecessor had difficulty!

Lindsay: We have had the Events Modules for almost 3 years now, but due to changes in staff it has not been fully utilized. I have been in the Database support position for 1.5 years and I have used the Events module for 2 events with some success depending on what you are trying to achieve. We have really only used it for registering participants and guests and utilizing the lists from that. We haven't tracked expenses, etc.. I know I am not fully utilizing the module, but I am learning something new each time. What problems are you having?

We have been very disappointed in the Module. We used it for the first time on our last event. There are a lot of things that are very frustrating, however, the biggest frustration is the seating function and not being able to get good reports. I have been promised that they are taking care of all the issues with the next upgrade that was coming out in March. I have not seen the upgrade and no one has responded to my inquires about it. Dottie Owens Development Information Manager Tennessee Performing Arts Center [Email Removed]

We use Events quite a bit. It works well for registering people, marking them as attended, and running queries based on the event for future events. I like that you can see who has paid, who hasn't; who wants chicken dinner and who wants beef. The reports stink. I usually end up making queries to get what I want. This has been a complaint for years but we have yet to see much improvement with upgrades. Barbara McIntyre Philadelphia Biblical University 200 Manor Ave Langhorne PA 19047 215-702-4394 [Email Removed]

What about seating, have you had much success there? And how about nametags/placecard printing? Lindsay Greene Koenig Events Coordinator Office of Development Dartmouth Medical School/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center One Medical Center Drive (HB 7070) Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756 Phone: 603.653.0728 Fax: 603.653.0712 [Email Removed]

The nametags function sucked the last time I tried to use it. It's difficult to remember from last fall, but I believe we were unable to put our logo (an image file) on the name tag; or if we were able to put the logo on the tag, it was too rigid in the placement of the logo, so we couldn't fit the names and titles on there as well in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.
It was also very limiting in turns of the formatting, so I had problems putting multiple lines on the name tag, eg, if they had more than 2 lines of text (eg, name and 2 titles).
I wound up exporting participant names in an Excel file and merging with the Label form in MS Word. Word lets you physically move the text (fields)/images around the label form far more than the Events module allows. I don't even know if the Events module lets you adjust the font size of the text as much as you need to. Sorry, I can't remember with 100% accuracy, but there were major formatting limitations to the nametags so we had to abandon using the module to generate the nametags. Kimberly Yang
New Directions, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 268-3695
www.newdirectionsinc.org

We haven't used the seating function. We used the name tag function and it worked fine. But then we just did the generic name tags, not the fancy stuff as talked about in another person's reply. Barbara McIntyre Philadelphia Biblical University 200 Manor Ave Langhorne PA 19047 215-702-4394 [Email Removed]

The problems we ran across with seating was a lack of flexibility. 1)If we wanted to move a group of people from one table to another it was impossible without starting over. 2)We wanted to be able to name tables instead of numbering them. 3)We also found it impossible to get an accurate count in the seating report. Even the consultant who trained us, finally admitted that the seating function was lacking and suggested we do our seating the same old way (through excel). Dottie Owens Development Information Manager Tennessee Performing Arts Center [Email Removed]

I realize my reply comes years (4!) after your posting...  I recently attended a Users Group meeting in Boston and am new to the Events module, so I thought I'd ask other users their thoughts about it.  Several of them agree with you that the nametags function was difficult to use and they suggested that export and Word is used instead.  Just thought I'd throw in my two cents...

We use Events extensively.  THere was a huge chane in going from V6 to V7, but still, the reports are not adequate.  One consideration I make on reports is that everyone wants something different.  I've worked for 5 non-profits over the last 9 years and what would work for one wouldn' thave worked for another.  So, I think your starting point should be "what reports do we want".

 Seating works well if you understand the options.  We have an Annual Scholarship dinner in the spring which is always horrible to do the seating for because we need the departments with their donors with their students.  We defiend "Groups" and also used "Group/Seating Notes" to put the groups together and then could just drag and drop from there.

We recently did a free event which required tickets for 2,800.  System worked great -- I was glad that seating was broken down into only two sections adn there were no reserved seats!  I had been concerned about system performance but it was great!

 Name tags -- we go the route of export and Word Mail Merge so we can get exactly what we want.

Cathy,

Would you be willing to share any documentation you might have on how you are utilizing the events module.  We used the module this summer with 3 golf outings...and our alumni staff feel that it is to cumbersome.  I would love to learn more about your successess. 

Louise Scott

Director of Advancement Services

Baldwin-Wallace College

Berea OH, 44017

(800) 755-7534

(440) 826-2072

lscott@bw.edu

Hi all - we do not have the events module and I am trying to find a demo version on-line to take a look at it.  We run 4 events (at a minimum) - 2 with seating, one golf and one walk. From all the myriad postings it sounds like the event module is not perfect or complete as the auction is a separate module too.

Is it worth investing in the module or can you use the main RE dbase system - running queries - to gather all the info?

Advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Linda Werman

lwerman@oldcolonyhospice.com

The sample database has all of the optional modules for you to look at and practice on.  Try looking there.  I highly recommend it for any event with seating.  The seating wizard is fantastic.