Understanding Activity Logs
Learn how activity logs help you track interactions, decisions, and important moments in your fundraising work.
Key Concept
Activity logs are a chronological record of interactions and important events related to Partners or Tasks. They help you maintain a complete history of your fundraising work and never lose track of important details.
Chronological Record
Activity logs create a timeline of interactions, decisions, and events that happen throughout your Project.
Each activity log entry includes a timestamp, the team member who logged it, the type of activity, and a summary of what happened. This creates a complete audit trail of your work.
Linked to Partners or Tasks
Activity logs are always associated with either a Partner or a Task, providing context for each entry.
This linking helps you see all interactions related to a specific Partner or all activity related to a specific Task, making it easy to understand the full history of a relationship or piece of work.
What Activity Logs Track
Activity logs can record many different types of interactions and events:
Calls
Record phone conversations with Partners or about Tasks.
Log calls to track when you spoke with someone, what you discussed, and any follow-up actions needed.
Emails
Record emails sent or received related to Partners or Tasks.
Track important email communications to maintain a record of what was discussed and when information was shared.
Meetings
Record in-person or virtual meetings with Partners or team members.
Log meetings to track when they happened, who attended, and what was discussed or decided.
General Notes
Record any other important information, observations, or decisions.
Use general notes for anything that doesn't fit into a specific category but is important to remember.
Follow-up Tasks
Generate new Tasks directly from activity log entries when action is needed.
When an activity log entry indicates that follow-up work is needed, you can create a Task directly from the log entry, pre-filling relevant information.
Activity Logs and Partners
When you log activities related to Partners, you're building a relationship history:
Partner Relationship History
Activity logs linked to Partners help you see the complete history of your relationship with that organization.
Every call, email, meeting, or note related to a Partner is recorded in chronological order. This helps you:
- Remember previous conversations and commitments
- See the progression of your relationship over time
- Understand context for current interactions
- Maintain continuity when team members change
Tip
Get in the habit of logging activities as they happen. It only takes a moment, and having a complete history is invaluable when you need to remember details or understand how a relationship developed.
Activity Logs and Tasks
When you log activities related to Tasks, you're tracking the work being done:
Task Work History
Activity logs linked to Tasks help you see what work has been done, what decisions were made, and what obstacles were encountered.
Task-related activity logs help you:
- Track progress on complex Tasks
- Document decisions and rationale
- Record obstacles or blockers
- Maintain context for future work
Creating Follow-up Tasks
One of the most powerful features of activity logs is the ability to create follow-up Tasks:
From Activity to Action
When an activity log entry indicates that follow-up work is needed, you can generate a Task directly from the log entry.
For example, if you log a call with a sponsor where they asked for more information, you can create a Task to "Send sponsorship package to ABC Corporation" directly from that activity log entry. The Task will be pre-filled with relevant information from the log entry.
This creates a seamless flow from recording what happened to taking action on what needs to be done next.
Common Scenarios
Scenario: Sponsor Call
Logging a phone call with a potential sponsor.
Log the Call: Create an activity log entry linked to the Partner, select "Call" as the type, and summarize what was discussed.
Create Follow-up: If they asked for more information, create a follow-up Task to "Send sponsorship details" directly from the log entry.
Result: You have a record of the call, and you have a Task to ensure the follow-up happens.
Scenario: Task Progress
Logging progress on a complex Task.
Log Progress: Create an activity log entry linked to the Task, select "General Note" as the type, and document what was accomplished.
Document Decisions: If important decisions were made, log them so future team members understand the rationale.
Result: You have a complete history of the work done on the Task, making it easy to see progress and understand context.
Important Note
All activity logs are specific to your organization. You cannot see or access activity logs from other organizations, ensuring your interaction history remains private and secure.