Have your say on the future of cheques

A call to all Institute of Fundraising fundraisers

Rapidata is working with the Institute of Fundraising to explore the issues and challenges facing charities in their fundraising and receipt of donations by cheque.

In 2011 the Institute of Fundraising campaigned successfully to stop the abolition of the cheque in 2018. Even so, use of the cheque as a payment mechanism is in natural decline. In the UK, 11 million cheques were used each day in 1990 compared to just 3.5 million a day in 2009; and usage continues to fall, currently by 10% per year. It’s important we acknowledge this natural decline and that consequently cheques are unlikely to remain a viable payment mechanism for ever.

The Institute of Fundraising has today asked for all its members to complete a short survey. Your responses will be kept anonymous.

It is important that fundraisers give an account of their experiences and take a few minutes out to complete this survey. The aim is to report the findings to the Payments Council and relevant Government Departments to ensure that charities and their needs are recognised in the management of the cheque going forward, and in the development of future giving methods.

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Make sure your Bacs processes are covered

With a number of bank holidays coming up over the next few months its possible that some people will be taking annual leave around those holiday dates.
When planning holiday cover remember it’s not only important to ensure that your Bacs submissions aren’t forgotten but also that your Bacs reports are accessed and actioned too.

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It’s official – Rapidata is ‘Excellent’

On the 12th January 2012 our company underwent a rigorous inspection by Bacs, the financial industry’s body responsible for the schemes behind the clearing and settlement of automated payments in the UK. And I am pleased to report that Rapidata Services Plc is an ‘Excellent’ Bacs Approved Bureau. That’s not us saying it but Bacs giving Rapidata the highest level awarded in its ratings.

Fifteen years ago, Rapidata started managing and processing Direct Debit payments for all types of organisations. Over the years, technology, Bacs submission procedures, and guidelines have all changed and evolved. But one thing has stayed the same, the drive for Rapidata to give all its clients a tailored Direct Debit management service that fits their requirements, and to continually invest, innovate and improve to be the best in what we do.

The Bacs Approved Bureaux Scheme assesses the technical competence and operational integrity of the bureau. An inspection is carried out every three years and rates 5 categories determined through the high level assessment of business practices, standards, procedures and controls for the provision of Direct Debit and Direct Credit services.

In passing our inspection with flying colours we can continue to help your organisation make and receive payments as easily, securely and cost effectively as possible, assured in the knowledge that Rapidata’s approved services and training all meet the meticulous quality requirements developed by Bacs.

Click here to learn more about our Direct Debit Managed Service

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone at Rapidata

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Change of Address & Telephone Number

Today, Friday 18th marks the last day at our Three Bridges office. After this date, our new address and telephone number will be:

Rapidata Services PLC

2nd Floor

Innovis House

108 High Street

Crawley

RH10 1BD

Telephone: 01293 601111

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We’re moving!

02/11/2011 UPDATE TO BLOG POST: Date of move now re-scheduled for 18th November 2011

After more than ten years at Three Bridges, we are now moving on to bigger premises in the heart of Crawley, West Sussex!

The move will provide us with the space we need to expand and build on the fantastic team we have at Rapidata while improving our services for our clients. We will be able to build on new services, host client training and meetings and upgrade our Internet data links for greater efficiency and security.

ADVANCE WARNING – We will be moving at close of play on Friday 11th November with everyone sitting in their new desks first thing the following Monday morning. We have an experienced team managing the move and have a robust business continuity plans in place, just in case the move should not go according to plan. We hope that all our clients will not notice any significant changes in service levels during this time although our email and FTP servers will be unavailable during Saturday and Sunday (12th – 13th November).

An email will be sent shortly to all our client informing them of a change in address and another blog posted nearer the time.

Should you feel that this is an ideal time to get in touch to arrange a meeting in Crawley late November / December, please contact your Account Manager who will be more than happy to arrange this or alternatively please feel free to pop in at anytime should you be passing and would like to meet with any of the team.

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Charity Direct Debit cancellations highest ever recorded for August

The Charity Direct Debit Cancellation Rate for August 2011 has been recorded at an all time high 4.58%.  This is the highest cancellation rate seen in the month of August since Rapidata Service Plc, the charity transactions processing agency, began tracking regular giving trends eight years ago in 2003.  The figure exceeds the August 2008 mid-recession figure of 4.4%.

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Institute of Fundraising Convention 2011 – Prize Draw winner is…..

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Reduce costs – sign-up now to pay us by Direct Debit

As you would expect from a Direct Debit Bureau, Rapidata has offered its clients the choice of payment options which includes Direct Debit. Most of our clients pay us by Bacs transfer or Direct Debit however we are today writing to all those clients that send us in a cheque in settlement of their invoice, to sign-up to Direct Debit.

Why do this?

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Rapidata team help marshal the St Catherine’s Midnight Walk

On Saturday night Emma and Louise from Rapidata’s Data Admin Team forwent sleep and headed over to Horsham, West Sussex to marshal the St Catherine’s Hospice Midnight walk. 1000+ women of all ages walked a half marathon through the night around Horsham to raise money for this wonderful cause. Emma & Louise were 2 of 100 marshals on the night making sure all walkers were safe, having fun and most importantly walking in the right direction!

All the marshals just before our briefing (Emma and Louise are kneeling at the front in the middle)

‘The atmosphere on the night/morning was fantastic, the event was really well organised and everyone was really excited to be there, it was lovely to be a part of it. Even the very last walkers to finish at 5.20am after walking all night were still smiling.” Emma comments

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