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WillyBrandt

(3,892 posts)
Tue Aug 23, 2016, 08:20 PM Aug 2016

I just donated $10 to Hillary

Not bragging, but glad I did it. Little bit for victory.

I encourage you to donate too:

https://www.hillaryclinton.com

Or take a look at ActBlue. Their directory page is pretty awesome; you can find the slice of the Democratic party that speaks to you:

https://secure.actblue.com/directory

If you've donated or are slotted to volunteer or phone bank, check-in. I'm in awe of anybody able to cold call anybody else -- I'm way too shaky to try!

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
6. Cold calls get easier as you go along! You just got to learn not to take it personally...
Tue Aug 23, 2016, 09:19 PM
Aug 2016

And just practice the script a few times and maybe rewrite it a bit to sound more like you do, while keeping the meat of it there. It's honestly a great confidence builder- learning to roll with the No people like it no big deal!

pinboy3niner

(53,339 posts)
8. Calling actually starts out much easier than people expect
Tue Aug 23, 2016, 10:48 PM
Aug 2016

Volunteers are surprised at how easy it is and how quickly they gain confidence. After only a few calls, everybody feels like a pro.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
9. It is! The info you get is pretty good and I always augment it with a little of my I own research-
Wed Aug 24, 2016, 01:17 AM
Aug 2016

Bookmarking articles to share or quote.
I offer to email people info or text them links too. They're often grateful for the assist. Some will show their asses, but pffft... That's life. I can't worry about cranky ass people.

pinboy3niner

(53,339 posts)
11. I managed the Kerry phone bank at his Franklin County, Ohio field office in Columbus
Wed Aug 24, 2016, 01:35 AM
Aug 2016

I had no experience but after making a few calls I was an instant expert.

I briefed the vols, supervised the sessions, and then stayed late at night entering the data. Doing the entry helped me identify weaknesses and adjust the briefings to beef up areas where vols were confused or uncertain about how to report.

Phone banking wasn't quite as much fun as in-person canvassing, but all of the volunteers enjoyed it despite their initial fears and couldn't wait to come back to do it again.

You can usually arrange to make calls from home, but I recommend going to a campaign field office to do it. Getting the briefing in person is much better than online. Socially, you meet a lot of great people and you know you're not going solo--you have lots of moral support. You make new friends--sometimes for life.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
12. I usually work from home because it's less time consuming but your right...
Wed Aug 24, 2016, 01:39 AM
Aug 2016

Meeting other people and getting their guidance helps a lot initalially. Could not have done my first tabling so easily without a few people - and they did become lifelong friends. Very good point!

WillyBrandt

(3,892 posts)
13. Renew - yep... I just took a little 12 year hiatus!
Wed Aug 24, 2016, 09:01 PM
Aug 2016

Was a big Wes. Clark fan -- misguided in retrospect -- and posted a lot. Got on DU for ultimately negative reasons -- I really disliked Bush.

And Trump brought me back

Hope you've had a good decade or so since

DesertRat

(27,995 posts)
10. I've been phone banking for local Democratic candidates here
Wed Aug 24, 2016, 01:23 AM
Aug 2016

Ahead of our AZ primary on Tues. After the primary I'll be phone banking for Clinton too. It's really not scary at all. If I'd know how easy and gratifying it is, I would have done it sooner! We don't cold call just anyone. So far, we only call registered Dems. We have a script to follow, it's really pretty easy and it makes you feel like you are really doing something to help! The research shows that calling and/or canvassing really does make a measurable difference.
Donating is great too!

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