Support Articles

Many events will require a background check, especially events that have participants working with children.  You can now make a notation per participant if they have a background check.  Here's how... What is a background check? A background check is something you (the organization) will do to validate if a participant is clear from any criminal history.  Third party vendors offer these services.   Where do I note if a participant (member) has a completed background check? This is managed at the organization level (note: NOT at the opportunity level).  Access the management page for your organization and then click on Members.  Here you will see all members who have served or participated in a small group with your organization.  To the right you will see an actions drop down.  Click Actions and then click "Background Check".  This will display a pop up window asking you to enter a date.  Entering a date will then validate this person as having a background check.  A check will also display in the master list of members showing they have a background check.                     What happens at the trip level? Once you have noted someone's background check (at the organization level) then a notation will be displayed on every opportunity they apply for or have applied for showing the date of the background check.   Why is this setting at the organization level? Background checks deal with secure information.  Even though ServiceReef does not store the background check file, we feel it wise for only organization admins to have access to this feature.  Additionally, by setting this at the organization level the notation for someone's background check will cascade down to all opportunities for those admin to know that piece of information. Can we upload the background check report? No, not at this point.  Because of the sensitive nature of this information we feel it best for you to keep this information in your organization's files and somewhere safe.  The admins who are managing ServiceReef may not be those you wish to give such sensitive information to all of your member's background checks.  This is more a matter of legal protection for you that we do not offer that feature.      

How many times have you wished for better ways to engage your donors?  And how difficult is it to provide something meaningful to donors?  We totally agree and feel your pain.   ServiceReef is now releasing an automated email for donors to receive story alerts.  Here's how it works.... let's pretend Johnny is participating in a short term trip to Uganda.  During Johnny's fundraising he was able to invite over 50 individuals (donors) to help sponsor him on this adventure.  Now Johnny is actually on the trip to Uganda and each time he's able to find internet he posts a new story about his experience to ServiceReef.  Each time a new story is posted each of his 50+ receive an email about Johnny's story.  It's really that simple.   Now donors are given a reason to step back into the story.  Consider this... wouldn't you want to read a story from someone you invested financial resources to send somewhere.  Of course you would!  Now each time a story is shared on ServiceReef, that individuals donor support are all engaged and invited back into the story... automatically.   Please note that donors do have the option to opt out of these emails by clicking the link below the email to manage their email notification preferences.  

Looking for a richer way to edit your event description? Editing your event description may be a simple entry of text or something you would like to spend some time enhancing.  ServiceReef has added more customization to the event editor.    

Ever need to set one person’s financial (donation) goals different from others? Some organizations will allow individuals to fundraise for their flight expenses from various cities while other organizations might have a different target goal for participants because they are staff.  No matter the reason, ServiceReef makes it easy to change the donation target goal for each participant.   How do I change someone’s target goal? Access your event page and then the participant directory - click the actions tab to the right.  You will see the option to “Change Fundraising Goal”.  Click this and enter a new amount.  The system will always default to the standard event cost and show that amount here.   What happens when I change this? Only this participant and event admins will be able to view this amount and this person’s progress toward this goal.  Fundraising goals and percent complete will adjust accordingly.    

What happens when you need to move one trip participant from one event to another? Many times there is the need to move a participant because they no longer could attend one event and need to move or perhaps the event had to be cancelled.  Whatever the reason, ServiceReef makes is easy to move participants from one event to another (and their fundraising too!).   How do I move a participant? Access your event and the participant directory for an event and then click the actions tab to the right.  Here you have an option to move a participant (from one event to another).  Make certain this is what you want to do (and who you are planning to move) before making the change. What happens when we move someone? The first change is that this participant moves from this current event and now shows up on the other events (both for you as an admin and for this participant).  Also, all of the funds associated with this participant migrate to this new event.  The participant status will change to pending now (no matter the previous participation status) allowing you to determine their status in the new event.    

Ever need to waive the cost (or give a discount) for your application fees? Now you can add a coupon code specific for event applications, here's how: Log into your ServiceReef account Access your organization's dashboard Select one of your events Click on "Coupons" to the left Select "Add Promo Code" Enter coupon name (for your reference) Enter either percent discount or set amount discount Copy the promo code (these are auto generated) Send promo code to desired person NOTE: Each promo code can be used only once

Looking for more control on the admin controls for your events? We've just built an enhanced feature set for your admins and the control they have in managing each of your events.  Here are the categories of admin permission settings: General - General management of the entire event and the basic settings of the event (Requirements, Meetings, Marketing, Application Coupons, Forms, Participants, and Stories) Manage Users - Permission to manage (and add/delete) event admins Get Notifications - Receive automated notifications from ServiceReef (ex: new application, etc.) Trip Finances - Permission to manage the trip finances (trip cost, due dates, etc.) Participant Fundraising - Permission to view the totals for event participants (but not the specific donations given to each participant) Donation Details - Permission to view the itemized donations for each participant and the respective donor for each  Application - Permission to view and edit the event application.  NOTE: This is not managing the actual applications from trip applicants - this is management of the actual application. Communications - Permission to manage (edit, create, send) email communications 

Do you ever need to resend a donor their donation receipt? No problem! You can easily resend a donation receipt by accessing either the Donations & Payments from your Organization profile or an Opportunity profile. This PDF walks you through this process.

Did you know each team member has their own personal donation page? We all know the challenges of fundraising for a missions trip... the letters, the emails, the follow up, and the thank you notes.  And it's not just the trip participant that has the challenge, we as trip leaders and organization leaders have challenges engaging our trip participants in their fundraising.   Our goal at ServiceReef is to make this as simple as can be for the trip participant and the organization... but also to respect the donors as best possible.  Let's dive into a few features to help make this better for everyone. Personal Donation Page Every participant on your events have their very own personal donation page.  The user can customize their fundraising letter, load a cover photo, link a video, and present their own landing page for fundraising. Team Stories Stories that are shared by each member of the team all show up on the personal donation page.  We've done this in order for the donor to not only see stories shared by this person, but also the other team members.   Donate Button Each personal donation page has a simple and obvious donate button for others to give online to this individual.  Each time a donation is made this person's balance is automatically updated.