We have two upcoming consulting calls scheduled with Datatel: Constituent Management Collaboration Workshop on November 3, 2008 from 9 am - noon and Data Custodian Workshop on November 13, 2008 from 9 am - noon. Both conference calls will take place in Murray 120. More details will be provided as they become available.
On Monday of this week we had our first look at the conversion process in the CA Conversion Overview Webinar. We now have a better idea of what the next several months hold for us. We also have a lot more documentation - pages and pages of file mappings and a very detailed conversion manual.
I'd write more, but I have to go read now.
Yesterday representatives from Development, Alumni Affairs, the Registrar's Office and AIS gathered in Murray 120 for our Data Custodianship Workshop led by Anita from Datatel, who joined us over the phone.
We had many interesting discussions over the course of nearly three and a half hours, focusing on which offices will be allowed to add or update various sorts of data when we have completed the transition to an integrated system. We found that we had many points of agreement, and a few areas where further discussion is needed. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Our taskmaster, Anita, has given us 30 days to write a document detailing the discussions needed and then another 30 days to come to a decision on each point. She'll be on campus Dec 11 for a process mapping workshop so we'd better have something to show her by then!
Anita Lynn from Datatel will be coming to Allegheny December 10th and 11th to lead two Process Mapping workshops. Both will be held in Murray 116, from 9 am - 5 pm.
On Dec 10th, Anita will be helping us map our Constituent Management processes and on the 11th we'll be looking at Contribution Management processes. Those people who should attend these workshops will be notified by Todd Fox. Lunch will be provided.
Todd, Matt and I are once again heading to Fairfax, VA, this time for two days of Contribution Management workshops. We're looking forward to meeting up with our fellow Cohort F-ers (oh oh - just realized how rude that sounds! Note to self: find a better way to refer to our group!) and comparing notes on how our conversions are going.
Speaking for myself, I'm also looking forward to a pilgrimage to Whole Foods, though sad that we can't bring home a cooler full of goodies like last time.
We've had a very busy time over here in CA Conversion world lately! Here's the short version of what we've been up to:
We are still aiming for a live conversion window of July 15 - August 15, 2009. So far, nothing in our first test conversion indicates we'll have any trouble meeting that goal.
Wednesday afternoon our CA training continues with our Campaign Management and Analysis workshop. This is the first of the CA workshops that we'll be taking in the "Virtual Classroom" - that is, online with the instructor available via the telephone. Matt, Todd and I will be together in Murray 116, so we'll have our own real classroom within the virtual classroom. Or is it a virtual classroom within the real classroom?
Whatever the case, we're looking forward to continuing our CA training on Wednesday!
This afternoon Todd, Matt and I start our Institutional Advancement Reporting Techniques training. Todd has been anxiously awaiting this class, as file structure in CA is very different from what she's been used to in Benefactor.
Once we complete the class we'll have to start getting serious about preparing the reports that will be needed for CA.
This is our second virtual classroom training - no need to drive to Virginia, but also no opportunity to shop at Whole Foods!
Todd, Matt and I recently completed the Communications Management for CA training in Fairfax, VA. This class was very informative. We had lots of hands-on experience using Communications Management for things like writing receipts, acknowledgements, and follow-up letters. Most of the training was focused on outgoing mail.
We only touched on how Communications Management can be used to handle incoming mail and phone calls. Having taken Fundamentals of Communication Management online a few months ago I know that there's a lot more Communications Management can do, with not a lot of overlap between the two courses. I think it would be a good idea for Matt or Todd to take the Fundamentals course at some time to get a better idea of how they can fully use Communications Management in CA.
Our penultimate CA training session takes place this afternoon - Major Donors. Todd, Matt and I will once again convene in Murray 116 with our instructor on the telephone for this virtual classroom training.
We have a workbook the size of a dictionary, but only 4 hours of online training scheduled. Something tells me we won't be getting through the entire book in one afternoon!
In just under two weeks we will have our last training session, Planned Giving. After that, we should know all there is to know about Colleague Advancement!
Today Todd, Matt and I have our last CA training session - Planned Giving. This last training, like many others, takes place online. The three of us will gather in Murray 116 with a telephone nearby for this virtual classroom training.
For those counting, this marks the 14th CA training session or workshop we have participated in since Cohort F began in October:
While our Datatel-led training is just about over, the real training is just beginning - getting those who will use CA in the Development Office up to speed on the new software. Todd and Matt have been preparing for this all along and have already started on training sessions with some of the staff.
This page contains an archive of all entries posted to Road to CA in the Workshops and Training category. They are listed from oldest to newest.
Preprocesses is the previous category.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.