"Virtual Phonebank" instructions

FOR TECH SUPPORT: send email to help@rebuildandrenew.org including your name, phone number, and description of the problem.


You won't rack up any long-distance charges using this system, because the system calls you and connects you to live voters one by one. Here are the simple instructions, followed by a script for you to use:

GETTING STARTED

Call this toll free number: (866) 574-1761

The recording asks you to put in "the number where you would like to receive calls." Simply punch in your phone number, including the area code.

(The system will then ask you for your extension, in case you're calling from an office telephone. If you don’t have an extension simply press pound (#) again.)

Type in your agent ID, which is 904236 and then press #

Then type in your PIN, which is 2009 and press #

Hang up the phone. The system will call you back within 30 seconds.

TALKING TO VOTERS

When the system calls you back, answer the phone. The system will start dialing through the list to find a live voter for you to talk to.

You will hear a beep when you are connected to a voter. Say hello as soon as you hear the beep. Follow the script (below)

Here's the SCRIPT:

Hi! My name is (your first name) and I'm a volunteer working to support President Obama's plan to get the economy moving again. Have you heard much about Obama's budget proposal? (let them say a few sentences but keep it very brief)

Well, what's exciting is that President Obama's budget creates jobs, begins to repair our economy, and sets new priorities for our country like fixing health care and education. But you know it won't be simple to pass.

Insurance corporations, energy companies and other lobbyists are already trying to kill those ideas.

So, that's where you come in:

Can you call your Congressman’s office right now ask them to support the president's budget? All you have to do is tell them your name and where you live, and say "I'd like the Congressman to please support President Obama's Budget, because we need the new ideas that are in it"

I can connect you right to the office now. It's OK to leave a message on the voicemail - they appreciate hearing from you. I'll pass you through now.

   (To finish the call press * and then enter in the number indicating what happened: )

   Connected to Congress - Press *1
   Didn't call Congress - Press *2

FINISHING THE CALL

Our goal is to find people willing to talk to their member of Congress. If they agree to be connected to their Congressmember's office, you will connect them directly to the office by pressing *1 on YOUR phone. The voter will be automatically passed off to the office, and you will go back to waiting for a new voter to come on the line.

If for any reason you don't pass them through to Congress (they refuse, or it's an answering machine, or any other reason) just press *2 on your phone to get a new voter on the line

That's all there is to it.

DO NOT HANG UP AFTER A CALL. Once you enter the call result with your telephone keypad, you will be back in line to be connected to the next voter. The normal wait time between voters is between 5 and 60 seconds. You’ll hear the same beep you heard for your first call each time a new voter is on the line.

To finish the call press * and then enter in the number indicating what happened:

Connected to Congress - Press *1
Didn't call Congress - Press *2

The following national organizations have signed on to the statement of principles of responsible and fair taxation and funding investments for the common good.

Untitled Document
9to5, National Association of Working Women

ACORN

AFL-CIO

American Federation of Government Employees

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Americans for Democratic Action, Inc.

Americans United for Change

Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs

Campaign for America's Future

Center for Community Change

Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)

Children's Defense Fund

Citizens for Tax Justice

Class Action

Coalition on Human Needs

Community Action Partnership

Every Child Matters

Faith and Money Network, Inc. (formerly Ministry of Money)

Families USA

Food Research and Action Center

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Hispanic Federation

Institute for Policy Studies-Program on Inequality and Common Good

Kids Project

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

LEAnet, a national network of local education agencies

Legal Momentum

Lutheran Services in America

NASW National Office

National Association for State Community Services Programs

National Association of Social Workers

National Center for Law and Economic Justice

National Coalition for the Homeless

National Direct Care Partnership

National Jobs for All Coalition

National Latina Health Network

National Low Income Housing Coalition

National Organization for Women

National Partnership for Women & Families

National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness

National Priorities Project

National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc.

National Tongan American Society

National WIC Association

National Women’s Conference Committee

National Women’s Health Network

National Women's Law Center

NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

OMB Watch

OWL – The Voice of Midlife and Older Women

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office

RESULTS

Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law

Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Sojourners

The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd

The United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society

TrueMajority.org

Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

United for a Fair Economy

United Neighborhood Centers of America

USAction

Vote Kids

Voices for America’s Children

Wealth for the Common Good

Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW)

Women Employed

Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement

YWCA USA