Although I've been using RE since it was in DOS platform, and have had the Events Module since its inception, I'll be the first to admit that I've shied away from it because it always seemed overly cumbersome to use and the reports stink!   I truly do not like it very much and have always managed to get all the reports everyone wanted without using the events module.

However, we have a new regime here (none of which have used or know anything about RE) who are insisting that we use the events module for everything (wine tasting event, gala, golf) ...."because we want you to".   Despite outlining numerous short-comings inherent with the module, the extra work using the module entails for me, and our need to work smart and fast (due to lack of staff trained to use RE), they aren't budging.   Enough griping.........here's my problem.

We just had a golf tournament.   All gifts are entered into RE constituent records.   Now, they want me to take the Excel sheets that have the 4-somes listed on them, and create the event in the events module, add all the expenses, links the gifts etc. but then enter all the 4-somes by company name or 4-some "leader" name.    How the heck do I manage this?   (And, how do I get them to understand that it's not like I'm going to be able to push a button and get a report that shows all the 4-somes!?!?!?!?!?! after spending hours doing this work?!?!?!)

Can anyone help me muddle through how to do the data entry/management for a GOLF event, with a dinner, too, in this $*%&#($&%  event's module?LOL    

I have used the event module for the last few golf tournaments we have held.  Our tournaments are even two day to add to the nightmare.  It really isn't that bad...at least I don't think so. 

What you can do it this...go in the Event Module to create your event "2008 Golf Tournament" or whatever you want to name it and also set up under the "prices" tab all of the packages that were offered.  After you have done this I would add your sponsors (those who gave the money).  You can simply type their name in and then search or database for them (you won't have to key the info in again), next under the "Registration Fees" tab you can add the package that they have taken (this is from the "prices" tab), you will then link the gift that you already have in there.  After I have done this, I add my golfers under the "participants" and then you can select who they were sponsered by.  I also use the seating chart for our golf cart assignments.

As far as expenses, I have created a spreadsheet in Excel to track all of the expenses by group (ie lunch, dinner, travel, etc.) and then after the event I enter the total for each group into RE.

I hope this helps you.  If you have any further questions you can contact me directly and I will help you if I can.

I think this could be made a bit easier with a global add.  As Staci said, create the event and do the basic setup (prices, etc.).  If you can query on all constituents who have the gifts for the tourney on their record (using appeal or fund or campaign or whatever selects just constituents with these gifts)  You can use global add to create the participant records.  Then you just need to go through them one by one and add their guests, pricing units, etc. and link the gifts.

I know it seems cumbersome at the outset to use the Events module but I prefer to think of it in this way.  A database is a multi faceted entity, while it may take effort to populate the database with the data you have endless ways to report and analyze that data.  A spreadsheet gives you easier data entry but takes much more work to do reports and analyze.  So, you either do the work on the front end during data entry or on the back end during reporting.

We use the events module for out golf tournament, and I actually love it.

 You can add the expenses to the expense tab.  You will than want to set up your prices.  Add your participants and put them in your foursomes in seating.  You will name your "tables" with the company or leader name.  You can than run a seating report, it is very easy!  You can link you gifts to your participants on their participant records. 

 Please let me know if this was any help to you at all.

Hello Ms. Lawrence,

I am new to using the RE Events module and new to running our local and national golf tournaments (47 golf tournaments to date).  I have each golf tournament set up as an event.  I have set up the prices for the golf packages, some packages include a sponsorship as well as the actual golf registration fee.   I want to track what the actually golf fee is as well as track the portion of the check that is for the sponsorship.  Can you tell me how I do this?  I am assuming that I will put the sponsorship portion of the money received into the Donations tab, but I am having troble with that. 

For example....Golf Package A -One Hole Sponsor ($250.00), entitles one golfer and then a sign on a green or tee.  The golf fee for this golfer is $125.00, I want to track the additional $125.00 as a donation/sponsorship.     

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Beverly Walter, Program Manager

It's fairly easy to set up within the prices tab of the event. Each sponsor level is a different unit with a gift amount (cost) and a receipt amount. Then within each sponsor level you set up the benefits.  If you'd like I can send some printscreens directly to you.  Email and let me know. 

Tina Gorski-Strong, Director of Alumni Relations

The Wheeler School

tinagorskistrong@wheelerschool.org

I use the Events module extensively and find that utilizing prices, benefits, etc works well for me. The biggest benefit besides the money issues (pulling in benefits as a payment is added so receipt values calcualte properly) is that I can track all of the verbal nonsense in the event module (Sponsors or golfers that are 'in' but haven't sent in paperwor so I can't enter a pledge or payment to link or 'show' that they are in).

  The question about the foursomes up at the top - Most of our foursomes come in under a sponsorship so the 'golfers' are put into the event module as 'Guests' under the sponsors participant record. Other foursomes I will use one key individual and put the other 3 as 'guests' on that participants record.  You can also use the Team, field under more info on the participant record to store foursome info. Handicaps can be stored as well - starting hole, etc....

Feel free to contact me with any questions