How to be a Variety Telethon Phone Volunteer
Telethon Since 1975, Iowans have joined together to contribute their time, talent and hearts to the annual Variety Telethon. It is the foundation that Variety of Iowa was built upon and the highlight of the year. Each year a line-up of local and international celebrities appear along with thousands of individual and corporate volunteers and donors who pledge their ongoing time and support to Iowa’s children. Telethon also provides Variety the opportunity to highlight the children and organizations that benefit from local support.
The 2016 Telethon, March 5 and 6, will be broadcast live on ABC5 from the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. The Telethon airs from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
What Does a Phone Volunteer do? Companies and organizations can support the Telethon by providing volunteers for the phones. Full panels consist of 32 seats and half panels are 16. Phone Panels are on-air for a specific time, generally 1 to 1.5 hours. Panels are encouraged to promote their company/organization by wearing logoed apparel and are also given the opportunity to present a check for the amount they raise as a team.
As a member of a phone panel you will work with your team to raise a minimum of $5,200 (full panel) or $2,600 (half panel) by soliciting donations prior to Telethon and by answering the phones during Telethon. As a phone panel volunteer you will; • Advocate on behalf of Variety in the community. • Reach out and gain financial commitment from your peers in advance of the Telethon. • Serve on a team of committed peers who are equally focused on a successful fundraising effort. • Pledge a few hours of your time to staff the phones during Telethon and assist other generous donors with their pledges.
Fundraising Tools Online Giving: We encourage you to set up an online giving page through Kintera, Variety’s fundraising platform. Once registered, you are able to solicit and manage your donations. Added bonus, if a donor pays online, you don’t have to fill out a pledge form! See the enclosed tutorial for detailed steps on how to set up your account. Questions about your online page? Shoot Leyann an email at [email protected].
Pledge Forms: Capture a donation instantly with a pledge form. A small supply is enclosed. If you need more pledge forms please call or stop by the office.
Form Letters: While we encourage you to personalize each ask, we understand that writers block happens. Please visit varietytelethon.kintera.org to find sample communications that you can customize to your liking. Just login and click the email tab. Not online? Email Leyann at [email protected] to have samples sent to you.
Host a Company Event: Consider soliciting your coworkers by engaging them in a fun manner. In past years, companies have: • Hosted a bake sale • Soldpasses “jeans days” • Donated their can/recycling money • Hosted a chili cook off, charging per bowl or taste
Staff: Our people are your people. Please let us know how we can help you in your outreach. We will gladly provide you with information, motivation and any other assistance you may need.
The Ask The number one reason people say they don’t give to charity is because no one ever directly asked them to do so.
Schedule a convenient time to meet. A direct one-on-one contact is the best way to gain support and invite further discussion so our contributors feel great about their decision.
Explain why you give. Share a personal story about why you support Variety.
Educate your potential donor on how Variety meets the needs and challenges of children throughout Iowa. Now would be a good time to give them a copy of the Community Impact Brochure. Remember, correct information is essential to ensuring long-term support of our organization.
ASK open-ended questions and listen. Be ready to change your appeal based on how the individual responds to your ask.
Explain pledging options and choices and ask for a generous contribution.
Thank the individual for considering/making a pledge of support. Please remember, contributing financial resources is a personal matter and should be kept confidential. If somebody is unable to participate in a financial manner, suggest they volunteer for Variety as a way to get engaged.
Pledge Options Variety gladly accepts donations of any amount, but we do have a pledge structure we focus on during Telethon. We encourage you to set a personal goal, know your audience and be comfortable asking for a generous donation. • $52 Miracle Pledge ($1 per week) • $104 Double Miracle Pledge ($2 per week) • $520 Very Interested Person Pledge ($10 per week) • $1040 Double Very Interested Person Pledge ($20 per week) • $5200 Corporate Miracle Pledge ($100 per week)
Timeline Do not let the Telethon sneak up on you. Making these peer asks is best done early.
Week 1: Review Variety information and make specific considerations on the best method to reach out to each of your potential donors.
Week 2: Set aside time to call, schedule meetings with and email your prospects. Make sure to keep the Variety office informed of accomplishments or struggles so they can be of assistance.
Week 3: Continue meeting with your prospects and follow up with those who have not gotten back to you. Don’t forget to be social! While personal asks are best, we encourage you to share Variety’s message with your social networks. Tag us at @VarietyIowa or @YVIowa on Facebook and Twitter and use our hashtag #VarietyTelethon16.
Week 4: Wrap up outstanding contacts and prepare for Telethon weekend. Make sure to thank each and every person for their consideration/completion of a pledge.
About Variety- How we Help Children Variety – The Children’s Charity of Iowa was founded in 1937 and is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, at-risk and special needs children throughout Iowa. Together we have raised more than $100 million to date to support our mission. Variety improves the lives of Iowa’s children in several ways;
• Grant Program- Variety grants funds to more than 90 children’s organizations annually. • Kids On The Go!- Provides bicycles, locks and helmets to children who have never owned their own bike as well as specialized bikes to children with special needs. • Variety Vans- 380+ vans have been granted to organizations to provide transportation for the children they serve. • Star Playgrounds- Variety believes playgrounds should be accessible to all children. That is why we dedicated Iowa’s first ever all-inclusive playground last year in Des Moines’s Ewing Park. Variety is currently raising funds to build an all-inclusive Star Playground in Cedar Rapids. • The Compassion Fund- The Variety Compassion Fund benefits critically ill children & their families by providing comfort, care and fulfilling immediate needs.
Learn more about Variety programs in the enclosed Community Impact Brochure or online at varietyiowa.com. Need a couple more copies of the brochure to share with your friends? Email Megan at [email protected] or call 515.243.4660.
After Telethon- the Other 363 Days Variety hosts a number of “fun”draising events annually that benefit Iowa’s children. These events are a great opportunity for people in the community to rally together in support of our children, while getting to experience something unique and fun. Events include the Black Tie Dinner, Variety Stag, Polo on the Green, golf tournaments and more!
Workplace Campaigns give Variety the opportunity to visit local businesses/corporations and share the story of how their support can change children’s lives in their communities. Employees are presented with the option to make contributions from their payroll or in a variety of other ways. This is a great way for organizations in our community to show that they and their employees are invested in making a difference for our children. If you think your company would be interested in learning more about workplace giving, please let us know.
Questions About Your Phone Panel? Give us a call, shoot us an email or stop by.
Sheri McMichael Margie Gibbons Executive Director Events Director [email protected] [email protected] 515.681.3041 (Cell) 515.243.4660
Leyann Brown Megan Grandgeorge Finance Director Marketing and Public Relations Director [email protected] [email protected] 515.243.4660 515.243.4660
Variety Office 505 5th Avenue, Suite 310 Des Moines, IA 50309 515.243.4660 varietyiowa.com
Resources A copy of this packet can be found at www.varietyiowa.com/telethon*
A digital copy of Variety’s Community Impact Brochure can be found at www.varietyiowa.com/resources*
Your phone panel page can be found at http://www.varietytelethon.kintera.org. Log-in under my headquarters to update your account, email friends or check your progress.
* The Variety website is currently under construction and these links will be available December 1. If you need copies of these documents prior to December 1, please email Megan at [email protected].
Thank you for being part of a phone panel!