Isaac, Matthew, and Jeff,
Thank you all so much for your thoughts! These are all great points, and I will be bringing these back to my team for further discussion.
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Emily Yeh
Oglethorpe University
eyeh@oglethorpe.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2024 01:28 PM
From: Isaac Shalev
Subject: Data update policy for gender/name changes
Asking is generally a good idea, but can be fraught in this circumstance. Specifically, if you're scraping LinkedIn or otherwise getting indirect notification, rather than learning through direct contact, the alum might be taken aback by your outreach, and it may not be welcome.
Guidance from LGBTQ orgs that I've received is to try and offer the opportunity for relevant information to be shared, but not framing it as part of the transition experience. Eg reach out to the alum with a DM and say 'We want to confirm we have the latest contact information for you. Would you like to update your name, title, email or other information in our alumni database? Here's a link to your profile'
Thank you,
Isaac Shalev
Data Strategy Expert
Sage70, Inc.
(917) 859-0151
isaac@sage70.com
Schedule a 30-minute consultation now:
Original Message:
Sent: 1/17/2024 2:06:00 PM
From: Jeff Baynham
Subject: RE: Data update policy for gender/name changes
Also, do not assume gender with a prefix, just because of a name or picture. One reason I am anxious to eliminate gender salutations from our database!
It may be worth emailing or calling the constituent and asking them how they'd like their record to look.
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Jeff Baynham
NC State University
jtbaynha@ncsu.edu
Original Message:
Sent: 01-16-2024 02:27 PM
From: Emily Yeh
Subject: Data update policy for gender/name changes
Hello everyone,
I am curious to hear if anyone has a policy on updating database records regarding a gender/name change. We have noted a few alumni on LinkedIn who appear to have transitioned and use a different first name. We in no way want to cause harm by addressing someone by a dead name in alumni communications, but at the same time, we are unsure if their records should be updated in our database given that they did not explicitly inform us of their transition and new name. Has anyone else had a situation like this and/or has any policies that they could share for situations like this?
Many thanks in advance for your thoughts and feedback!
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Emily Yeh
Data Entry Specialist
Oglethorpe University
eyeh@oglethorpe.edu
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