I was hoping someone could help or direct me in the right direction on a couple of Raiser's Edge topics. First, what are some pros and cons of having spouses with separate constituent records. That being said, if they are separate how are they linked so that data entry doesn't become redundant and/or sloppy. Also, how would we link the gifts? Jennifer Stoeck Development Assistant Archer School for Girls [Email Removed]

Hi Jennifer, There have been plenty of discussions on this topic before and you might want to search the forum to get more answers. IMHO, it depends on your situation if you want separate records for spouses. I work at a college and all alum get their own record. If two alum marry, we link those records. For our Friends (any one who isn't an alum), we don't always create separate records. It's rare when a couple both have such a connection to us that they need their own records. Others using RE pretty much never create separate records for spouses. Those organizations tend not to be schools and they look at their constituencies differently. So to answer your question, you need to think about how you solicit. Will you be soliciting each person separately on a regular basis (class of reunion stuff) or always as a couple? There are always exceptions but go with the majority/norm of how you solicit and think of your constituents. Spouses records are linked and address changes done on one record are updated on the other. That said, we do have some spouse records that aren't linked properly and we have a business rule that pops up reminding everyone to change addresses on both records. Many hands in our database, which is another discussion. ;-) The same is true with gifts, you can set RE up to soft credit the spouse. We soft credit spouses for the full amount. HTH, laura Laura A. Caswell Information Technology Worcester State College Worcester, MA 01602 [Email Removed] (508) 929-8867

Jennifer,

We have separate records for spouses when the spouse either contributes on her own (and wants it recorded that way) or when the spouse has positions within the organization that are different from the other person. We tie them in the Realtionship" but also give them the same constituent ID but with a special prefix.

 I've only been with my organization about a year.  When I arrived the database was full of spouses.  These individuals were given their own records only if the checks were signed by the spouse.  We address all correspondence and donor "honor roll" lists to both of the individuals, so having two records can sometimes be redundant. But the automatic soft credit is the best way to go.  Soft credit for the full amount to the spouse and then when you run exports make sure to only use the "head of household" or the "first constituent found."  That way you're not getting any duplicate numbers.

I just read about a group that uses the constituency code of Spouse of Alum which I think would help us greatly - as we could get those numbers to pull in with our regular Alum & Non-Degreed Alums on financial reports.  For us that's the largest problem right now - as Spouses are pulled as "Friends" on our code tables into reports.

I'm unsure if you need to have a second record if the spouse is the one that signs the check - auditing purposes and such.