Info Gathering: Do we have to? A small organisation’s basic version! Bristol Hospitality Network

2009-2017 I am RUBBISH at administration But I have a good memory of people we’ve supported…Phew…I needed it.

Me in 2009-17 at NACCOM Survey time!

NACCOM Mapping Survey Forced us to gather some information every year I did it from my memory using lots of random comments written on each referral form This worked for 5 years But it took me 2-4 days a year!

Is there a better way? Yes

Use Excel to keep records of each hosted person

What do we keep records of? Member Number Member Name Gender Country of origin Age Bracket when hosted Date referred to BHN Date Hosted in BHN Date moved on from BHN Total length of stay in BHN Where hosted in BHN Status currently

Why? It’s really good for fundraising and encouragement of existing volunteers and hosts to show how what we are collectively doing changes lives We need to keep these records for NACCOM, campaigning, newsletters, annual reports I find it really encouraging each year to see what we’ve achieved

What else do we need to collect? Case studies of member stories Testimonials from hosts and guests Pictures (these need to be good quality so find someone with a good camera to come to every event and take nice photos, then take time to organise them and rename them early so you can find them again when you need them)

If I can use Excel, anyone can! Be encouraged