Phonathon 2016 General Information

Introduction

Welcome to Berea College’s Phonathon! We hope to provide you with a rewarding and challenging experience that will enhance your education at Berea and equip you with valuable skills for life after college. By participating in this Phonathon, you will be a vital part of Berea’s fundraising efforts. We greatly appreciate the commitment that you have made to Berea College by agreeing to participate in the Phonathon as a caller.

What is a Phonathon?

As you know, Berea College relies heavily on the generosity of alumni and friends in order to provide a meaningful educational experience to all of our students. Our Phonathon is a way to get in touch with many of those people. For fiveweeks, we will be calling Berea College supporters, mostly Alumni, so that we can update their information in our records, catch them up on what is happening at Berea, and give them an opportunity to support the work of the College. Each night of the Phonathon, callers will have specific people to call. We will have scripts for you to use that will help you answer typical questions and respond to specific concerns and challenges. Prior to the Phonathon, you will receive extensive training on everything from how to use the software to what to say in a difficult situation. Throughout the entire Phonathon, staff will be on hand to help you with any problem that might arise.

In return for your dedicating your time and talents to the college, we want to provide a fun and friendly atmosphere. With that in mind, we have chosen for this year’s theme, Las Vegas. There will be prizes, lots of good food, and opportunities to earn bonus money and prizes. At the end of the Phonathon, we will have a party to celebrate the amazing work you have accomplished. In addition, you will be paid level 4 pay!

2016Phonathon Dates

Each week includes Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday unless otherwise stated.

Interviews: September 12th-15th

Training: September25th, 27th, 29th, & October 2nd

Calling:October4th– November 17th

What do we expect from you?

Callers for the Berea College Phonathon are expected, above all, to be representatives of the student body of Berea College. You will be chosen for your ability to present a positive image of today’s Berea College student.

What skills does it take to accomplish this?

You are required to be personable, friendly, positive, reliable, hard-working, team-oriented, and to have good listening skills, communication skills, and confidence. You already possess many of these talents, and those you do not are achievable through hard work. Phoning skills will be taught during training, and we will do our best to set you up for success. It is up to you, though, to give maximum effort during the Phonathon.

What can you expect from us?

We want to make this year’s Phonathon a fun, enjoyable, and worthwhile experience for you. By offering snacks, incentives, and games, we will strive to provide a positive, healthy work environment. As a valued member of this year’s Phonathon team, you will be treated with respect and fairness. If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas, you will be listened to, and we will do everything in our power to address your needs.

What does this job offer you?

Being a Phonathon caller offers you a chance to develop and strengthen skills that you might not be using regularly in your other labor positions. Through your hard work, you will develop outstanding communication skills that are an asset in today’s competitive job market.

You will also receive valuable customer service and fundraising experience. This is the kind of experience that will make a wonderful addition to your resume once you leave Berea College, no matter what field you enter.

Finally, you will have countless opportunities to meet new people every night. In addition to building strong relationships with your fellow callers, you will have the chance to talk with Berea College alumni and friends from all across the country. You will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Berea College from alumni, and can form potentially fruitful networking connections. As a Phonathon caller, you have the unique opportunity to be a bridge between Berea’s past and its future.

Note: This is a temporary secondary position to which freshman are eligible. You will be asked to sign a Phonathon contract as your commitment to complete the assigned duties of the program.

Sound like the job for you?

Here’s how to join this year’s Phonathon team:

Fill out the application and email it toJohanna Hall-Rappolee at nd stop by the College Relations Phonathon Office in Edwards Building Room 100to sign up for an interview time posted on glass door.

We are holding 20 minuteinterviews fromMonday-Friday, February29th-March4th.If the available times do not work with your schedule, contact Johanna Hall-Rappolee through email to set up an alternate time .

Come to your assigned interview, relax, and let us get to know you!

Fall2016 PHONATHON APPLICATION

Name:______B#:______

Class:______Major:______CPO:______

Phone (ext. or cell – whichever you use):______

Home State or Country:______

Current Labor Position:______Current Supervisor:______

Phonathon calling is 2:00-5:00 PM, Sunday and 6:00-9:00 PM, Tuesday and Thursday.

Preference will be given to students able to attend ALL weekly Phonathon shifts.

Students who are currently on any kind of probation will not be considered.

Answer the following questions in the space provided or, if needed, on the back.

  • Why do you want to be a Phonathon caller, and what do you hope to get out of this job?
  • What skills and experiences will make you an asset to the Phonathon? (Please list any experience with fundraising, professional experience with phone calls, or other relevant skills/experience.)
  • Comment on your strengths/weaknesses in the following areas: (cite examples if possible)
  • Comfortable on the phone with strangers:
  • Comfortable asking people for money:
  • Able to take rejection in stride (not personally):
  • In your opinion, what makes Berea a good school? Why should alumni and friends support it financially?
  • Do you know of any scheduling conflicts you might have with the stated calling times? Please list day and conflict. (ex. Church Tuesdays or athletic practice on Thursdays)
  • Have you ever participated in a Phonathon? If so, how many?

Please send completed applications via email to Johanna Hall-Rappolee at .