Using Invalid vs. Inactive

Michelle Norfleet

Hello All,

We are looking for the best ways to use Invalid and Inactive on the Bio 1 tab for constituents. In the past we have used invalid in reference to an address, for instance if we receive returned mail and have no good address for that constituent. It seems that when those records where being marked Invalid, they were also being marked Inactive, but there was no standard/definition for when to use either. I was under the impression that Inactive pertained to giving and not to address, but I would l really like to know how other people use it. Also if anyone has a standard of procedure that they currently use to help others know when to use Inactive and/or Invalid.

Thank you,

Michelle Norfleet


 

John Heizer

No Valid Address (not "invalid") means exactly that; you have no current valid mailing address for this person. But it doesn't mean much in this day and age of e-communication. You might still have a perfectly good email address for them, so you want to use it carefully when pulling solicitation lists.


We use "Inactive" only when, for instance, a business has closed and will never reopen, but we want to keep the data history.

Crystal Bruce

Discussion moved to Raiser's Edge. Thanks!

Joe Moretti

@Michelle Norfleet I agree with the other comment in regards to Invalid (for bad addresses only). As far as “inactive” That has to be clearly defined by the organization and it is kept that way. I use it if an organization goes out of business and for any individual that wants absolutely nothing to do with the organization again.