"Roots Roundtable" performers Session Americana stops by the WUMB studios to play live on the air
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Q: What does a Member Drive volunteer do?
A: The on-air member drives require volunteers to
help answer pledge lines and mail out pledge reminder
forms to donors. There is more about the process of
taking phone pledges below.
Q: Must I answer phones if I volunteer during the
Member Drive?
A: No, you don't have to answer phones if you prefer
some other volunteer job. Among other things, volunteers
will help tally shift totals, prepare pledge fulfillment
forms, and assist with other clerical related jobs.
We can always use a person to pick up food from the
kind vendors who donated it. Conversely, if you'd
rather answer phones only, you won't be required to
do anything else.
Q: Is parking available?
A: Parking is available at the UMass parking garage.
After you arrive, ask the person organizing the pledge
room to give you a pass for free parking.
Q: Is the station accessible to people with disabilities?
A: The UMass campus and the radio station are fully
accessible.
Q: What should I do if I can't make my shift or I
have to leave earlier than anticipated?
A: Please call the station with any schedule changes
as soon as you can (617-287-6900). Let your Pledge
Producer know if anything comes up while you're here.
Q: Is there a volunteer dress code?
A: No. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
Q: Will there be food and beverages?
A: Food (sandwiches, pizza, snacks and fruit) and
beverages (water, soda, coffee & tea) will be
available. Ask the Pledge Producer if something is
not readily accessible. However, if you have special
dietary restrictions, you may want to bring something
for yourself.
Q: Where are the restrooms?
A: They're conveniently located in the hall outside
the station.
Q: May I bring my children with me during my volunteer
shift?
A: While we love children, it's impossible for us
to handle them during hectic fundraising hours.
Q: Is smoking allowed in the building?
A: UMass is a non-smoking facility, but there are
places you can go outside for a quick smoke.
Q: Are the phones difficult to use? How will I know
what to say?
A: The phones are quite easy to use. If a phone is
ringing, you'll pick up the receiver and press '4.'
After you've answered, you can use the detailed script
on the pledge form to get all the information that
we need from contributors.
Q: What do I do if someone asks me a question I can't
answer?
A: At the beginning of each shift you should be introduced
to your "Pledge Producer." The Pledge Producer
is "in charge" of the pledge room and can
help answer any questions that come up. He or she
is a radio station staff member or a volunteer who
has been to a training session and has worked at the
member drives before. If a question comes up that
the Pledge Producer can't answer, he or she will find
someone who can answer the question.
Q: Does everyone who pledges become a member?
A: Not every pledge qualifies for membership. Individual
membership begins at $50.00. A member is entitled
to a monthly Program Guide, attendance with one guest
at regular members' concerts, a membership card good
for discounts and benefits at some local businesses,
and other benefits. Specially-discounted memberships
are also available for students and seniors. Donors
who pledge under $50 can receive the Program Guide,
but will not receive the other benefits of membership.
Q: Is there a minimum pledge amount?
A: No. Any donation amount entitles the donor to a
monthly Program Guide subscription.
Q: What if someone wants to pledge but doesn't want
mailings?
A: No problem. Just write "NO MAILINGS"
prominently on the pledge form next to the donor's
address. Also, if anyone asks, you should know that
WUMB never sells its mailing lists.
Q: What methods of payments are accepted?
A: Payments can be by check, credit card, or even
by installments. The only credit cards we accept are
Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. We do not accept American
Express at this time.
Q: Can a contributor pledge with a credit card if
they prefer not to give their credit card information
over the phone?
A: Yes, the pledge will be taken and handled the same
way as a check pledge. We will send them a form, which
they will fill out and return to us, listing their
credit card number.
Q: Are donations to WUMB tax-deductible?
A: Yes. But tax laws stipulate the Fair Market Value
of any premium must be subtracted from the donation
amount claimed as a deduction.
Q: What is a premium?
A: A "premium" is the thank you gift we
send to donors according to the level of their gift.
Q: Are contributors allowed to substitute one premium
for another?
A: Maybe. It depends on the Pledge amount and the
premium in question. Ask your Pledge Producer.
Q: Must contributors take a premium?
A: No. Some donors prefer to simply make a contribution
without receiving a premium.
Q: Can we take pledges from businesses and other
organizations?
A: Yes. Use the same procedure as for an individual
pledge, and list the business name along with the
name of an individual.
Q: What is a challenge?
A: A challenge is a donation made with stipulations.
These stipulations are announced on-air. They may
take the form, for example, of an offer to donate
$10 for every new member who joins one evening. Or
an offer to match dollar-for-dollar all donations
made in an hour. Challenges such as these give tremendous
impetus for donors to call in and pledge.
Q: What should I do if someone calls the Pledge line
with a Challenge?
A: Refer them immediately to the Pledge Producer or
to a radio station staff member.
Q: How will I know when a challenge has been issued?
A: Your Pledge Producer will tell you, and there should
be a sign on the tally board. The challenges will
also be announced on-air. It's important for volunteers
to listen to the station in the pledge room to hear
any special offers being made.
Q: May volunteers make a pledge or issue a challenge?
A: Of course. Just talk to your Pledge Producer.