Why You Shouldn't Add A Creator To Your Action Network Actions

When creating any sort of Action in Action Network you can add both a Sponsor and a Creator. In this guide we'll go through what each of these means, and explain why in almost all circumstances you shouldn't include a Creator.

What Is A Sponsor?

The Sponsor of an Action is the Group in which the Action sits. So, for example, if I create a form in the Digital Support Action Network Group the Sponsor of the Action will be Green Party Digital Support. It's possible to have more than one sponsor of an Action, so Groups can work together and share responses.

What Is A Creator?

A Creator is the individual who set up the Action. Any Action Network administrator who creates an Action can make themselves the Creator. You can only have one Creator, and you can't make somebody else the Creator of an Action.

Why Shouldn't I Add Myself As A Creator?

When an Action has a Creator, as well as a Sponsor responses are shared with both. So, in the example above where I've created an Action sponsored by Green Party Digital, and created by me, any responses would be shared with the Digital Support Group as well as me. In future, should I be removed as an administrator from the Digital Support Group, I'd still have access to the responses on my Personal List.

Anyone taking Action on a Green Party sponsored Action may reasonably expect that their responses, and personal data will only be shared with the Green Party, and that the relevant privacy policy will apply. Adding yourself as a Creator to an Action poses a risk to both the party and you as an individual, and should be avoided in almost all circumstances.

In addition to the risk, and the general poor-practice of sharing data outside of our network you'll also add an extra opt-in to the Action for which you're a Creator.

How Can I Tell If Someone Has Been Added To My Personal List?

If you think you may have added yourself as a Creator in error you can check from your Action Network Dashboard, which can be found at: https://actionnetwork.org/dashboard. Below your list of Groups you'll see some information relating your Personal List. You'll see the number of Activists who've been added to your Personal List in the left column.

How Can I See The Actions I'm Listed As The Creator For?

Again, from your Dashboard (https://actionnetwork.org/dashboard), you can see all Emails and Actions for which you're the Creator.

From the list of YOUR ACTIONS you can click on the Manage link to access the Action, edit it, and remove yourself as the Creator.

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