Canvassing Tasks: Phone Banking, Text Banking, Door Knocking, House Visits

Canvassing Feature Overview

The canvassing feature in Action Builder is a powerful tool that enables organizers to efficiently manage and track outreach efforts, whether it's through door-to-door visits, phone banking, or text messaging.

Enabling Canvassing in Tasks

When creating a new task in Action Builder, you can enable the canvassing feature to streamline your outreach activities. Here’s how it works:

1. Create a New Task:

   • Navigate to the desired campaign and click on the "Tasks" tab.
   • Click on the "Create Task" button.

2. Enable Canvassing:

   • In the task creation window, toggle the "Enable Canvassing" option.
   • You will then be prompted to select the type of canvassing activity:
     • Home Visit: Best for door-to-door outreach.
     • Text Bank: Ideal for sending text messages to contacts.
     • Phone Bank: Used for phone call outreach.

3. Select the Best Contact Method:

   • Depending on the canvassing type selected, the task will automatically highlight the preferred contact method for each record in your target list. This ensures that your canvassers are using the most effective communication method for each contact.

4. Track and Record Attempts:

   • Task assignees can track their outreach attempts and record whether they made contact, were unable to reach the individual, or completed the desired action. This data is then stored in the task workflow for easy reporting.

Specify Address Types for Improved Mapping and Filtering

To enhance the usability of Action Builder’s mapping features, you can specify the type of address associated with each entity. This allows for more precise mapping, filtering, and turf creation.

Address Types

1. Physical Address:

   • Represents the actual location of an entity (e.g., a residence or business). This is the default setting for all new and existing addresses unless otherwise specified.

2. Mailing Address:

   • Used solely for receiving mail and may not correspond to a physical location (e.g., PO Boxes). These addresses are excluded from all mappable areas in Action Builder, such as the Wall Chart, Turf Map, and driving directions.

How to Update Address Types

• Manual Update:

  • You can manually update the address type through the entity’s profile in Action Builder.

• Bulk Upload:

  • Use the bulk upload feature to update multiple addresses at once. Ensure that your CSV includes an “Address Type” column, specifying either “Physical” or “Mailing” for each address.

• API Update:

  • If you are using the Action Builder API, you can programmatically update the address types by including the address_type field in your API calls.

Filtering by Address Type

• Query Builder:

  • Use the “Address Type” filter in the Query Builder to create lists or reports based on whether the addresses are physical or mailing.

• Complex Filters:

  • Apply the “Address Type” filter in the complex filter settings of a task to refine your target lists for canvassing or other outreach activities.

How to Create Canvassing Tasks in Action Builder

From your campaign Wall Chart or the Admin menu, navigate to the Tasks Tab.

Click on Tasks

Click on "New Task"

Name the Task

Select the Task Due Date

Toggle On to Enable Canvassing

Select from the Dropdown a "Canvass Type"

Click "Create Task"

Add a Task Description

Click on "Update"

Click on "Add To-Dos"

Add All To-Dos Related to the Task

Next Click "Create Query"

Click "Load" to Use a Saved Query

Select the Query and Click "Apply"

Next "Create Turfs via Map"

Click on "Start Drawing Turf 1"

To Cut a Turf, Click "Stop Drawing Turf"

Once Done Cutting Turfs, Click "Save Turfs" and Create Turfs

To Edit and Assign a Turf, Click on the 3 Dots Menu

Click on "Edit Turf"

Click on the 3 Dots Menu

Click on "Rename Turf"

Name the Turf

Click on "Save"

To Assign the Turf to an Action Builder User, click "Assign Turf"

Select the User(s) to Assign to the Task