Database Related Topics 
Robert Weiner
MAY 10, 2013
The following story, posted with permission, was sent to the FUNDSVCS list in response to a question about how to reign in schools and departments at a university that keep their own shadow databases of contacts. I have a story that we have used quite often: A few years ago, we imported a shadow database into Raiser''s Edge.
Robert Weiner
DECEMBER 21, 2012
A question was posted to a listserve for nonprofit techies looking for tips on training staff on a new database. The trainer needs to understand the database, present technical concepts clearly and without jargon, teach at the students' level, and be incredibly patient. Train end users on a sample database, not production data.
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Robert Weiner
DECEMBER 6, 2012
I'm working on an article with the title, "Maybe It's Not Your Database, It's You." The premise is that complaints about an organization's database may be misdirected: the problem is how the system is being managed (aka management problems disguised as technology problems). Here are my thoughts so far. What am I missing?
Robert Weiner
JULY 10, 2012
Here's how I responded: I’ve yet to see a published report that provided a convincing general argument that [insert any nonprofit name here] will raise more money by using [insert database name here]. An inability to hire staff who know how to use or support the database in question. Stewarding current donors. Time-management.
Robert Weiner
JULY 25, 2010
I get a lot of emails like the following from small nonprofits: We desperately need to get a new donor database and most of them are totally unaffordable!! Looking at the Idealware Low Cost Database report , I find that there are so many considerations that it is quite complicated to make a choice. Then you need to check references.
Robert Weiner
NOVEMBER 10, 2011
I'm planning a new workshop on selecting donor databases, focusing on the question, "Why is this so friggin' complicated?" It needs to be easy to get reports from the database, but it also needs to support complex selection criteria. Some initial thoughts: The maxim "Fast, cheap, or good -- pick two" is true.
Robert Weiner
FEBRUARY 24, 2012
I've been enjoying the discussion in the Chronicle of Philanthropy's LinkedIn group in response to the question, " What's a good, affordable donor database program for a small non profit? " (you'll probably need to join the group to read the responses).
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