Post Title: YuCallStudent Fundraiser

Department: Development and Alumni Relations Office, External Relations

Background

YuCall is part of the Giving to York programme which offers an opportunity to those closest to us (our alumni and friends) to play an important role in the University today and in the future. Giving to York ensures there are flexible funds available to allow us to respond quickly and appropriately to the areas of greatest need within the University, including bursaries, student societies, departmental and college projects. Generally student fundraisers ask graduates to make a regular donation of between £10 and £50 per month. Last year more than 950 graduates pledged a donation to Giving to York through YuCall, worthover £280,000.

The funds raised through YuCall are split between student support (bursaries, scholarships etc) and YuFund (to which societies, clubs, departments etc. can apply).

YuCallcampaigns take place twice yearlyand you are expected to be available for both the Autumn and Spring campaignsin 2016/17, the dates are below. If you cannot workbothyou should state why on your application form:

  • Monday 24th October – Thursday 30th November 2016
  • Monday 30th January – Thursday 9th March 2017

Being a student fundraiser is an extremely rewarding job with a strong focus on professional development, therefore all training sessions are compulsory:

  • Saturday 22nd October 2016
  • Sunday 23rd October 2016
  • Saturday 12th November 2016
  • Spring Training Sessions TBC

Shifts take place at a range of different times allowing you the flexibility to fit them around your studies and other commitments. As such, shifts are chosen first come first served via a weekly Doodle poll with the opportunity for extra shifts every week. Shifts are as follows:

  • Monday–Thursday:6:15pm–9:15pm
  • Saturday or Sunday: various times
  • US and Canada shifts: one Saturday and one Sunday, 4:30pm–10:30pm.
    We make calls to alumni in the US and Canada once a campaign. Everyone is expected to work one of these shifts each term– they are a great experience and our alumni in the US and Canada are particularly generous!

Calling shifts take place in B/R/012 a large computer room in the Biology Building on Heslington West campus.There are up to 50 student fundraiser positions on the team at any one time, with 15 students working each shift. Some places for the 2016/17 campaigns are already filled by YuCall student fundraisersfrom previous campaigns.

Job purpose

The position of Student Fundraiser assists the development of the YuCall telethon campaign. As a student fundraiser, individuals contact alumni of the University of York by telephone to raise money for the University. Some graduates are not be able to give – in these calls student fundraisers concentrate on maintaining a positive relationship between the graduate and the University, updating their personal information and informing them of the latest news from the University.

Your responsibilities

  • To call selected alumni of the University and talk about their time at York
  • Ask for donations to the University of York
  • To be an ambassador for the University of York
  • To successfully communicate York’s activities, accomplishments and goals
  • To help the graduate understand the goals and importance of Giving to York
  • To handle all phone calls with courtesy, tact and sensitivity and to answer questions successfully
  • To update alumni details, process online payments and update the alumni on university events with accuracy and confidentiality
  • Keep accurate records of all telephone calls made
  • To write courteous ‘thank you’ postcards to all alumni spoken to
  • To adhere to employment expectations and performance standards including attending the required two shifts per week and all training sessions
  • To display a positive, responsible and committed attitude towards the role and the team
  • Perform additional duties as required by the Participation Giving Officer or Supervisor

What you can gain

YuCall is a vital part of the Participation Giving team within Development and Alumni Relations (DARO) and plays an important role in our communication with York’s alumni and friends.

We are invested in making our Student Fundraisers the best they can be and as such, ongoing professional development is a large part of the YuCall campaign. You will not only learn and improve valuable skills including communication, negotiation, persuasion and active listening but you will also have the opportunity to further yourself through promotion to Senior Fundraiser or Supervisor and through training opportunities. We strongly encourage our Student Fundraisers to take part in the York Award and also offer additional employment opportunities within DARO not available to the general student population. We endeavour that being a Student Fundraiser for YuCall provides an opportunity beneficial for both life at York and a future career. A full reference will be available following your time working with the team.

Person specification

Qualifications

  • You must be a current student at the University of York

Knowledge

  • General knowledge of the University of York and involvement in student life

Skills, abilities, competencies

  • Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written
  • Excellent listening skills
  • Ability to use your own initiative and work independently
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Negotiation skills would be an advantage

Experience

  • Broad range of experience communicating with people from a wide range of backgrounds
  • Previous experience in telephone fundraising or sales would be an advantage

Personal attributes

  • Reliability and dedication to work
  • Determination and resilience
  • Confidence
  • Positive and friendly disposition
  • Enthusiasm for the University of York
  • Empathy
  • Commitment to self-improvement and professional development

You will be asking alumni for money: you will receive training but you need to be prepared to ask confidently and to negotiate downward. If the idea of asking for money makes you feel uncomfortable, this is probably not the job for you!

Pay, benefits and expectations

  • £8.66 per hour including holiday pay
  • Payment is by bank transfer, monthly in arrears
  • Minimum of 6 hours per week
  • Full pre-campaign training, mid-campaign training and on-going training
  • There is the opportunity to progress to the role of YuCall Senior Fundraiser or Fundraising Supervisor for future campaigns
  • Biscuits, sweets, incentives, games and prizes are provided throughout the campaign
  • You must work at least two weekend shifts per campaign, these will be chosen by you
  • You must work at least one US calling shift

Shifts

Before each campaign week, each Student Fundraiser will fill in a doodle poll indicating when they are free to work. This doodle poll will be first come first served with the opportunity to work extra shifts each week. You will only work shifts that you have said you can work. You can then swap shifts with other fundraisers as long as the correct procedure is followed.

Application process

Please download an application form from All applications must be received by midnight on the 9thOctober2016. The next stage will be a phone interview.

If you have any questions, please direct them to: Sarah Beamish, Participation Giving Officer,, 01904 324463.