Adding a “notes” field to RSVP form and Email

Thanks for reaching out and I’m happy to try to help @dianapeterson. The best approach to handle what you’re referring to is likely to use the wivm_search_and_replace_text filter within the plugin. The approach requires a decent amount of coding and WordPress knowledge, but since you mentioned being able to add a new field to the form, I’d imagine you’re pretty comfortable.

In order to make this approach work you’ll want to add a new variable to the “Admin Signup Email” within the settings. You can find that field by going to yourdomain.org/wp-admin/admin.php?page=wi-volunteer-management-help-settings#top#email. For example, you might add text into the email that says {notes}.

From there you’ll want to hook into the wivm_search_and_replace_text filter and replace the variable with the notes. You’ll likely also need to use the wivm_after_opp_rsvp filter to save the notes when someone signs up, but may be able to handle that a few different ways.

Finally, and I assume you already did this, but if you added a field for notes to the form, please make sure not to adjust the form directly within the plugin’s folder. Instead, copy the template to your current theme and adjust it there. That way the changes you made won’t be overwritten when an update happens.

Good luck and let me know if any other questions come up.

Jonathan

Thanks! I’ll be giving this a try later today. I’ll let you know if other questions arise.

Great, thanks for letting us know.

All makes sense except for this part, and maybe I’ve just had too many sleepless nights lately:

“From there you’ll want to hook into the wivm_search_and_replace_text filter and replace the variable with the notes. You’ll likely also need to use the wivm_after_opp_rsvp filter to save the notes when someone signs up, but may be able to handle that a few different ways.”

Explain how to ‘hook into’ said filters? Thanks much!

The way hooks work in WordPress is far beyond the scope of our support here, but the best place to learn about how they work and how you can implement them is at https://developer.www.ads-software.com/plugins/hooks/. Basically, WordPress has a built in system for executing code at a specific point in time (actions) and for adjusting text or other content when necessary (filters). There are hooks (actions and filters) within our volunteer management plugin which allow you to hopefully modify the plugin in the way you’d like to. All that said, the approach requires a solid understanding of PHP and how WordPress functions behind the scenes.

Good luck and let me know what other questions you have.

Jonathan