Students spend summer on phone - with alumni

PHOTO by Miranda Stancil

Hand drawn pictures of the various schools and colleges of the University of Georgia are displayed at the front of the UGA Calling Center.

Story by Miranda Stancil

The students at the University of Georgia Calling Center are finding the “fun” in fundraising.
At the Calling Center, students get a chance to raise money for UGA and connect with alumni in an enjoyable atmosphere.
The UGA Calling Center is a branch of RuffaloCody LLC, a company that specializes in strategic fundraising services. They have worked with UGA for the past 15 years, providing student fundraisers with a way to improve their school and have fun doing it.
On any given day, students can be seen through the broad windows of the Calling Center talking on the phone or chatting with friends. They participate in team games where they are awarded points for each pledge.
All fundraisers and supervisors are UGA students, creating a sociable environment at the Calling Center.
According to Kiersten Miller, Program Manager, the student-only policy is contractual.
“The purpose of putting the requirement in the contract was to create a sense of camaraderie,” said Miller. “The decision emphasizes the importance of the connection between current students and alumni.”
This seems to work for the Calling Center. The student fundraisers have generated enough rapport with UGA alumni to raise about $1.5 million to $2 million a year.
Miller, who has worked with RuffaloCody LLC for two years, says that their work is important because it helps bridge the gap between the UGA budget and the available funds.
“State funding and tuition don’t cover all of the University’s needs, and that’s where we come in,” Miller said.
Dylan Wood, a fourth year from Richmond, Va., majoring in sports management, has been with RuffaloCody for almost two years. He sees the benefit of student fundraisers.
“It’s pretty cool working here,” said Wood. “Some people look at it as tedious, but it’s nice to raise money that goes to a good thing.”
But money isn’t all the student fundraisers look for when they contact alumni. According to Miller, one of the biggest goals of the UGA Calling Center is to build a bridge between alumni and the UGA.
Students follow a script when asking for pledges. They ask four times for a credit card donation. But half of the script focuses on updating alumni on UGA activities.
Wood worked as a student fundraiser before he was promoted to supervisor. He remembers his own experiences.
“It was actually kind of fun talking to alumni,” said Wood, with a laugh. “Well, at least the friendlier alumni.”
According to Miller, student fundraisers are encouraged to talk to alumni about their experiences to help them. Many alumni feel estranged from UGA around the fifth anniversary of their graduation. The student fundraisers are the UGA’s way to keep in touch with alumni and rekindle their connection with their alma mater.
Lauren Combs, a graduate from Athens, Ga., with a degree in finance, is a student fundraiser at the Calling Center. She enjoys learning about alumni and their experiences.
“This place is a point of contact for alumni,” said Combs. “It’s a way of letting them know we still care, and not just because they give us money.”
Combs is among the few students who have raised over $75,000 since July 2008.
“This job is fun and rewarding. I definitely think I’ve learned a lot about the value of philanthropy,” said Combs. “I’ve already given back to the University since graduating and I plan to give back again each year. Working here, I’ve noticed the benefits of what I do, and the University is a better place because of it.”

Edited by Courtney M. Holbrook