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JULY 2024
Welcome to the July edition of NGP VAN News!
This month, we're excited to introduce updates to our Phone Data Model, exciting new training opportunities, and an important new Support resource currently geared toward assisting you with billing inquiries more efficiently. Continue reading for more details.
WHAT'S NEW
Updated Phone Data Model
NGP VAN has an updated phone data model, which more accurately describes a phone number's use, device type, and capabilities.
These updates make it easier to find the right phone number for the right channel and provide greater control over which numbers rise to the top of a supporter record.
A new field titled "Device Type" helps capture whether a number belongs to a "Landline," "Cell," "VoIP," "Fax," or "Unknown."
Dropping Fax and Main Phone Types
As of this month, the Phone Types of "Fax" and "Main" are no longer options for defining a phone number. Please note that you are no longer able to select these options in the CRM or upload/map to them. Any remaining Phones with Type "Fax" are now set to Phone Type "Work," and any remaining phones with Phone Type "Main" are now set to Phone Type "Home.”
More information on default settings and one-time mappings is available below.
Phone data model <[link removed]>
Fundraising Management Dashboard: Call Time Management
Customers can now access Call Time List functionality from the Fundraising Management dashboard. Enable the Call Time Management card to see an overview of upcoming and recently completed asks, while also giving quick-access links to other Call Time functionality.
Bulk delete capabilities
Admin users can now Bulk Delete Contacts, Contributions, and Disbursements, allowing customers to conduct routine data management tasks more efficiently.
To monitor and troubleshoot bulk delete activity, users will also have access to three new reports: Deleted Contacts, Deleted Contributions, and Deleted Disbursements.
- Read more about Bulk Deleting Contacts here <[link removed]>. - Read more about Bulk Deleting Contributions and Disbursements here <[link removed]>.
Changes to Contact Results
To prevent a common error that results in bad data, we have removed the ability to:
- Bulk apply Contact Results for phone-related contact methods when using Bulk Apply on My List, and - Apply one value to all records when using Bulk Upload to apply Contact Results for phone-related contact methods.
Phone numbers are still required to apply phone-related contact attempts. When bulk uploading phone Contact Results, you will need to use Bulk Upload and map the attempted phone number from a file column to bulk apply phone-related Contact Results.
TRAINING
Explore our new Product Release Webinar
This expert-led product release webinar will provide an updated look at what has changed in NGP VAN during the past month. It will include a review of recent product updates and a demo of any applicable features.
The next session will be held on August 2, 2024 at 1:00 pm CT.
Register now <[link removed]>
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Introducing an additional Billing Support resource
At NGP VAN, we’re consistently developing new solutions to better support and empower our customers. As part of our ongoing commitment to enhance our services, we’re excited to introduce an additional support resource currently geared towards billing and accounting questions.
This update is designed to provide a streamlined customer experience that connects you with the right NGP VAN team member faster, ensuring your questions or concerns are addressed as quickly as possible.
In the coming months, this support page will be an additional resource for inquiries related to billing. Rest assured that all existing paths to support will remain unchanged. Please continue to access product support as you normally do using the resources available within your software.
Here’s what you can expect from our new billing support resource:
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Fast and Direct Connections: Our updated support page routes you directly to the NGP VAN billing department and a specialized expert who can help with your inquiry.
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Efficient Problem-Solving: Get your questions answered and issues resolved quickly, so you can focus on what matters most.
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Easy Access: Our support page is accessible directly on our website. Answer a few questions, and you’ll be on the way to a fast resolution.
Ready to explore the support page? View it now and bookmark it for quick future reference.
View now <[link removed]>
Editable Names in the Voter File
As the 2024 cycle picks up we want to take this moment to remind folks about the editable names in the Voter File functionality. As of 2022 - in order to make sure that everyone can address voters with a correct, complete, affirming, and properly spelled name - we released a number of improvements to names in the voter file that included:
- Increased character length for all name fields, including salutation and envelope name in My Voters and My Campaign - Support of all diacritics on all Latin language characters in My Voters and My Campaign - Support for Pronouns in My Voters - Improved internal matching logic to make sure that voters are addressed correctly, and - The ability for select users to edit First Name, Middle Name, and Last Name fields in My Voters.
A significant driving force behind this work has been our desire to prevent deadnaming, which refers to using a transgender person’s birth name or name used before they begin their transition. This work now provides an option to use a transgender voter’s chosen name for voter contact without waiting on state governments to update the voter file with a formal name change.
Ultimately, we want staff and volunteers to avoid the harm using a deadname can cause while having meaningful conversations with voters about important candidates and issues on the ballot.
Read more about how to edit voter names and pronouns and our guidance on changing names in the voter file.
How-to guide <[link removed]>
Guidance <[link removed]>
IMPORTANT DATES
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August 17, 18, 19 from 6:00 - 7:00 am ET: General server maintenance
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Monday, August 26: Office closure in observance of Women’s Equality Day
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Monday, September 2: Office closure in observance of Labor Day
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Monday, October 14: Office closure in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day
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