Unsubscribe by Solicit Code by Communication Form

I actually thought this functionality existed in ChMS but recently learned that it did not. If I am missing something here, please elaborate. The first problem is the limitation of only one communication form. We have several that are focused by age group or are ministry specific. The next issue is, it appears to me, the functionality of Unsubscribe in an email is you are in but when you opt out, you are opting out of all email communications. This does not work in a church environment. I understand the law but that button should point to a communication form for specific opt outs. I am working on a work around that requires that we hand enter or mass update in Dbv, the opt outs and opt In's, and that is only if we can intercept someone before they click on the Unsubscribe button.

Here is my example:
I have the following Solicit Codes: Preschool Email, Kids Email, Student Email, Male Adult Email, Woman Adult Email, Senior Adult Email, General Email. They are mapped to

If an email is sent out to moms and dads of kids, and dad wishes not to receive the Kids email because mom is, so dad unsubscribes.

Results: Dad now can not be emailed for Men's events, and he will also miss out on important church wide "General" emails.

I thought for sure with the communication form designer, I would be able to create multiple forms to be used in various parts of ChMS.

Is anyone else dealing with this issue? If so, please contact me and provide your insights. Thanks!!

Chris Cara

Bartlett Baptist Church

  • Chris Cara
  • Jan 20 2021
  • Already exists
  • Mar 22, 2021

    Admin response

    This is possible to do today. The Communication Form Designer in webview uses Consent Categories to add multiple rows to the opt-in/opt-out options.


    To set this up, follow these 3 steps:

    1. Setup Consent Categories in database view

    2. Map those Consent Categories to the Solicit Codes (based on opt-in/opt-out rules)

      1. Mapping Examples can be found here

    3. Go to the Communication Form Designer and Edit the Consent Options area where you will now see the Categories that were configured in Step 1. You can check/uncheck to include them on the Form. PIC ATTACHED


    In most examples, your Consent Categories would map to the specific item you are sending that you want people to have the option to receive or not.

  • Attach files
  • Anthony Pisano commented
    March 23, 2021 15:02

    Thanks Chris that helps and I appreciate the breakdown. Let me take this back to the team and get some thoughts.

  • Chris Cara commented
    March 23, 2021 02:12

    Anthony, sorry I wasn't clear. This idea is similar to SMGROUP-I-365. My thought as we began our venture into Blackbaud was that the communication form would work as a connection card, guest card, prayer card, etc. Multiple cards/forms for various uses in the application. I see only one communication form. We have not fully addressed our needs, but we are having an issue with people unsubscribing from emails due to the inability to change what that "unsubscribe" button points to or initiates. I would like to see that button customizable to select from a list, a specific communication form with applicable opt in/opt out needs. A default in all forms would be to opt out of all emails which is what the button does now. I hope this makes more sense.

  • Anthony Pisano commented
    March 22, 2021 21:51

    Chris - I posted a response on how to do this. Please let me know if you have additional questions about this process.