def METHOD_NAME(self, key, person, advisor, created, delete_old_file=False, offset=0):
    """
    get_or_create for this usage
    """
    created = created + datetime.timedelta(minutes=offset)
    # look for previously-imported version of this note, so we're roughly idempotent
    oldnotes = AdvisorNote.objects.filter(student=person, advisor=advisor, created_at=created, unit=self.unit)
    oldnotes = [n for n in oldnotes if 'import_key' in n.config and n.config['import_key'] == key]
    if oldnotes:
        note = oldnotes[0]
        if delete_old_file and note.file_attachment and os.path.isfile(note.file_attachment.path):
            # let file be recreated below
            os.remove(note.file_attachment.path)
            note.file_attachment = None
            note.file_mediatype = None
    else:
        note = AdvisorNote(student=person, advisor=advisor, created_at=created, unit=self.unit)
        note.config['import_key'] = key
    note.config['src'] = 'crim_import'
    return note, bool(oldnotes)