This is a strategy question -- We have a program called SmartGrowth run by a staff member. She has kept a list of "members" of SmartGrowth which is actually no more than an address book. The folks on this list aren't necessarily members of our organization but they may be. This "members" list hasn't been maintained as to accuracy of addresses. These folks don't pay any dues (unless they are in fact members of the umbrella organization -- us -- Pilchuck Audubon). We are going to send a fundraising letter to these folks and invite them to join Pilchuck. I imagine this is what you call a Prospect List. Initially we had thought we would just add all of these folks to our list but since they don't have any membership status I can't see the point of maintaining what is essentially an address list within ebase. Being a novice to membership database and membership issues for non-profits, my question is -- should I import the entire list identifying them as SmartGrowth members. Eliminate the duplicates of people who are already members of our umbrella organization and noting, perhaps in the memo field on their records that they are also SmartGrowth "members." Do the fundraising letter with the proper source code, give them 6 months to respond and if they don't, eliminate them from the database? Ileen Weber Membership Chair Pilchuck Audubon Society Everett, WA ------------------ Reminder to each recipient: To change your list account preferences, go to http://email.sparklist.com/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=support and enter the email address you used to subscribe to the ebase support list:: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ebase - Relationship Management for Nonprofits, http://www.ebase.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------
