Some history IS important!
When I'm advising clients on data conversion (moving data from one system to another) my advice is always the same: "Convert as little data as possible."
There is one big exception to this rule: volunteer and award history. Almost all volunteer history (and certainly all award history) should be kept, essentially forever.
I've written extensively about how important volunteers are to associations and non-profits. So it's critically important to be sure we keep a history of volunteer activity because we should be treating all of our volunteers (current and past) like the gold they are. And I shouldn't have to explain why it's important to keep a record of awardees!
So when you're converting to a new system (or even cleaning up your existing system) make sure you're keeping that volunteer and award history!
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
“We run the report three times and get three different results.”
“We run the report three times and get three different results.” “We run the same […]
How do you know if you’re making progress?
How do you know if you’re making progress? We all want to improve our data management, […]
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly This may sound like a big “duh!” but I’ll […]
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.”
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.” “Your current habits are […]
There is value in just going through the exercise
There is value in just going through the exercise I was working with a client […]
Daylight savings and business rules
Daylight savings and business rules This past Sunday, most of the US observed Daylight Savings […]
It’s always about priorities
It’s always about priorities No matter the size or type of technology project, you will […]
Only one can be best
Only one can be best One of my (many) pet peeves with software vendor marketing […]
Seek to simplify
Seek to simplify When I work with my clients on system selection or implementation, one […]
Some problems are not problems
Some problems are not problems “A problem with no solution is not a problem, it’s […]