Gimme Gimme MONEY!

For a night job, I work at the Broadway campus at the Phone-A-Thon. I'm not sure if any of you know about this gig, but its a average paying job for Loyola University students three nights a week. So, like a poor college student like myself, I need the money. Well, the job consists of calling up alumni from the particular colleges and asking them for a donation towards the one they received their degree in. Since I'm a English Literature major, I call graduates from the College of Humanities and Natural Sciences. The money goes towards new professors, updating course selections, and refurbishing buildings that relate to the college.
Now, the last thing I want to do is be that caller who bothers families in the middle of Wednesday night dinner. (But again, poor people need to eat too.) So I keep an open mind during training. During this weeks training session (all the while I'm wondering why they need a full week to train for this job), they had out scripts. AHAH! RHETORIC! There are scripts for every college. Each type of script is in relation to the type of person you'll be calling. If you are calling a Biology graduate your script will be differently worded than a Music Industry graduate. The general format of the scripts are the same, but there are tweaks in order to get your potential donor to give up the cash. The "personalized" script will direct the caller to topics that may inspire the potential donor.

This is an example of how one of my average calls to a former English Literature/Writing major may play out:
*I've colored the parts that are direct lines from the given script. The rest have been suggested topics for me to hit on.

PD: "Hello?"
Cait: "Hi! May I please speak to Mr. John Doe?"
PD: "Yes, this is he. Who is calling?"
Cait "My name is Cait and I'm an junior English Literature major at Loyola University New Orleans. How are you doing tonight?"
PD: *sighs "Fine."
Cait: "Great! Well, I am calling alumni from our College of Humanities and Natural Sciences to update you about the university, her some of your feedback on your programs, and tell you how you can get involved."
PD: "Okay. I don't really have time for this, I'm about to eat dinner."
Cait: "Ohh, I'm so sorry. I promise that it won't take much of your time and as a student, I'd really appreciate it."
PD: "Okay, fine."
Cait: "Now, I see that you graduated with a degree in English Writing? Are you still working in that field?"
PD: "Yeah, I'm in publishing for Penguin Books."
Cait: "Wow, that's great! I'm assuming you liked the English department here at Loyola, were there any teachers or classes that really stick out for you?"
PD: "Umm..well, yeah. I really enjoyed Dr. Adams Writing from Sources class. She still there?"
Cait: "Haha, absolutely! I'm taking her right now for Rhetoric. That's actually another reason why I am calling. The college is going through a lot of changes; from updating course selections to hiring new professors, we are really trying to do many great things with the program. Also, the English department is offering study abroad opportunities. I myself am planning on going to Ireland this summer."
PD: "Congratulations, that's really great for you."
Cait: "Yes, it is. The only reason I can go though is through the scholarships that are offered by the university. Did you know that 80% of the student body is on some sort of financial aid? Its students like me that need the support of alumni like yourself, which brings me to my next point. I was hoping, that with all these amazing changes, you would want to be involved. Would you consider making a contribution with a gift of $50 tonight?"
PD: "Ohh, gee, yeah, I don't think so. I liked Loyola, but I just don't have the money."
Cait: "I completely understand, as a working student trying to make her way through college money is definitely tight."
PD: "Well, I guess I could. $50 you said?"
Cait: "Yes Mr. Doe."
PD: "Alright, put it on my Amex."
...and Loyola just got another one!

Did you see all that RHETORIC?!?! Talking about persuasion and hitting the nerves - and I haven't even posted about the scripts that tell you what to say when they refuse to donate. a good caller never quits!