I hate, hate, hate making phone calls

[cally]

and yet I do. I'm a person who really wishes that I didn't have to answer my phone or make phone calls. I've never enjoyed talking on the phone. I could make it a phobia if I went much further in my dislike.

So what am I doing much of this election cycle....phone banking. I always try to volunteer in other areas but during the closing days, phone banking is the most efficient method to turn out the vote. In large geographic areas, with limited volunteers, then phone banking is the best. I've seen that it does work in the campaigns I've worked on. It matters when you get a personal phone call.

So this is how I psyche myself to do this. I try to listen to great phone callers. I listen to their rhythm, their cadence, and relaxed approach. I listen to a few phone calls and then just get into my own approach. I try to always be honest and not just read a script when I call. I've gotten feedback from the more experienced campaigners and I'm seen as a fairly good phone banker.

IF I CAN VOLUNTEER, THEN YOU CAN ALSO!!!!!! The only way to defeat the GOP suceessful GOTV campaign is to make ours more effective. That takes volunteers.

[MADem]

1. I make it easy for phone bankers, myself

As soon as I get the gist of the call, I let them know that not only will I be at the polls, but my GOTV "schtick" is driving geezers there. If they're nervous in their presentation I give them a critique, but a nice one, and a few pointers. For the most part, if you're working from a party list, you're pretty much preaching to the choir.

[cally]

3. I've found that about 75 percent of the time, I'm getting

answering machines. The rest of the folks are basically respectful. I do laugh when inexperienced campaigners spend so much time making sure they understand the issues. I've been walking, phoning for years and I rarely, if ever, have gotten an issue question that I couldn't answer. Voters just don't expect a volunteer to know all the details about a candidates position.

[MADem]

7. When you get the machine, leave a message!!!! (If you don't already)

Your caller will KNOW that the Democratic party cared enough to call!! Short, sweet, Hi, My name is Fillin DeBlank, and I was just calling on behalf of (name of candidate/s) to ask for your vote. Election day, as I'm sure you know, is November 7 and we really would appreciate your help. Hope to see you at the polls, Tuesday, November 7!

Or words to that effect--I'm sure you have a better script than that. I do agree with the Tip O'Neill maxim about one's vote: "People like to be ASKED." The appropriate levels of appreciation and urgency pull the lazy voters onto our team. That's how I get the geezers into the car when they get grumpy or lazy--hey, we NEEEED you!

[ellenfl]

8. i've been thinking about turning taxi on election day.

do i just contact the dem party in my area?

ellen fl

[cally]

9. In my area, noone wants rides

Plese talk to the organizers and ask what they need. I've learned that in some areas taking folks to the polls works, but where I live noone asks for rides. What we need here is folks to phone bank. :shrug;

[MADem]

13. Yep, and see Cally's comment below,,oops, I mean above!

I live not far from some assisted living joints, and most of the folks there have given up their licenses. The bus service is "iffy" and I grab the folks who want to go, vote and get on with their day, and not have to wait for a scheduled bus run, or who will find an excuse not to go vote. I take a boatload of folks, I just keep doing it until I get no more takers...one year I was at it till the polls closed. I haven't brought anyone who admits to voting GOP, but I honestly don't discriminate. They all seem to hate the social security stealing baaastids. This year, I'll be driving a car that's not quite as comfy as the one I had last year--they'll have to suffer for democracy, I guess!

But it is a good idea to check and see what your local party folks need...everything from phones, to precinct walking, to rides....if you live in an area where public transportation is problematic, rides are welcomed.

[ellenfl]

14. i have been doing phone banking and i DO

live in a retirement area so i will see what i can do. my neighborhood is probably primarily republican so i will probably check in with the party to see if there is anyplace that i am needed.

my sister thinks i should drive republicans . . . and get lost on the way to the polls.

ellen fl

[MADem]

16. Your sister is a hoot!!! nt

[ellenfl]

18. she is actually that and much more.

she diddled with climbing the social republican ladder (in virginia) while married to her ultra right wing (now ex-) husband but has since come back to her senses.

:patriot:

ellen fl

[MuseRider]

2. Phone banking.

ICK! I hate it too but I know how to run one, set it up, write scripts but I always end up doing them as well.

My best advice is to smile. When you smile the person you call can hear it and you end up feeling really positive about your calling, even when you get those bad calls. Also it is good to set up small breaks where the bankers can talk to each other and reinforce each other (this is best when you have a team who does it a lot and have signed on to do it for a prolonged period)

I have spent hours upon hours phone banking, I think my ear is permanently red but it is by far the very best way to reach people and a great way to educate when doing issue calls.

Go for it! Good for you.

[cally]

4. I've run too many also

The best advice I have is to make sure you believe what you are saying. Don't just read the script but put tell the voters something you think they should hear. Make it honest and from you.

[MuseRider]

10. Those scripts

always sound stilted when you first start no matter how hard you try. I like it when everyone feels comfortable enough to get off them and just use them for reference. It is also a good thing to meet each time after the bank and get suggestions on how to make it better.

Have fun! I have a couple banks coming up that I volunteered for and some walking. I actually like walking door to door better than phone banking but I do a better job on the phone banks. :shrug:

[MaineDem]

5. I agree with the smiling

It sounds corny but I tell people that those we're calling can really tell when the caller is smiling and upbeat.

Thank you all for doing this important work. I know it's difficult and I hate to do it too but it's vital to our efforts.

:yourock:

[MuseRider]

11. It is corny

but it really does work as odd as that seems. I try to do that before I speak too although thankfully I do that infrequently. I don't know why it works, must be some kind of physical response that we learn over time.

:yourock: too. We have lots of work to do.

[janx]

6. Lord, so do I and yet I did it last week.

You're right about the approach--to be honest and unscripted as much as possible. The best phone bankers are the ones who hate doing it, for obvious reasons. We hate scripted calls. We respect the person on the other end of the line.

One guy I talked to gave me a big pat on the back; he had phone banked before also and knew how difficult it was.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

12. Boy, know what you mean. Wish there was a more creative way,

something that was more pleasant for both the caller and the listener. "Hi, I'm calling on behalf of those geico cavemen who are getting a raw deal on t.v. John Doe who is running for senate has vowed to uphold caveman rights, and at the same time, fight for your rights too."

I know, lame, but you know what I mean. Maybe we could get some of Jon Stewart's writers to whip us up something clever. :)

[ClassWarrior]

15. Bless you. I can relate.

NGU.

[BlueIris]

17. What cally posted. DO IT, PEOPLE.

I hate it, but I've conditioned myself to getting it done--especially because the official I'm doing the banking for actually does need those IDs made ASAP. They love me at her office...

Actually, I LOVE what I ended up doing for the mid-terms. Nice people. Extremely well-informed, young Democratic staff. Funny. Dog lovers. Wonderful change of pace from last time. Phone banking sucks the proverbial, um...but the climate is great.

Seriously, though, go support.

[Eric J in MN]

19. MoveOn's "Call for Change"...

...lets you call from home:
www.moveon.org