We want your phonebank to be a success so we are providing you with a step-by-step host guide and a Slide Deck to help you along the way.
Slide 1
How to use the slide deck!
Slide 2
Welcome to [Indivisible XXX] Give No Ground Phonebank for [Candidate Name]. Please make sure you have signed in so we can follow up with you.
It would also be helpful if you would navigate to the website you see on the screen before we get started.
Slide 3
I’d like to share the agenda with you for this [morning/afternoon/evening]
First, we would like to share with you why this election is important and why we are excited to be supporting this candidate and who we are calling today.
We are going to walk you through how to get started using using OpenVPB, or Open Virtual Phonebank, this cycle
Last but not least, we will share a few tips on how to be a good phonebanker.
Slide 4
You may be wondering why this candidate, why this race.
Have a group member share briefly why this election cycle is important and read the bio for the GNG phonebank candidate
Share one fact about the candidate, the state or the race that resonates.
Slide 5
We will be calling into key target states: specifically, districts and states that are part of Indivisible’s Give No Ground program or that have been identified by Indivisible being an influential state in this election cycle.
Slide 6
We are calling voters who are likely supporters for our Give No Ground candidates but who are unreliable voters. If we can get them to vote, they will likely vote for our candidate.
We get the phone numbers from the voter files from the [State Name] state public records.
Slide 7
Optional inspirational Video
Slide 8
OpenVPB Video Training
Slide 9
Once we get started, we will be spending about [two hours] making calls today. Don’t worry! We’ll take a break about halfway through to check in.
Try to spend as much of that time making calls as possible. The more numbers you dial the more people you will connect with!
We know, we know. For some people phone banking ranks up right there with getting a root canal. But, it’s important.
Let’s watch a short video from our friends and fellow Indivisibles at Harpswell Maine about phonebanking.
Slide 10
Let’s start with the basics!
OpenVPB is a phonebanking tool that stands for Open Virtual Phonebank
Slide 11
If you have an Action ID from past phonebanks, log in with that Action ID.
ANIMATION
If you do not have an Action ID, create one via the ‘Create an Action ID Account’ link below the login fields.
Slide 12
Once you have logged in, you might be taken to the ‘Join a Phone Bank’ screen. If this happens, click the ‘Join a Phone Bank’ button.
If prompted to, enter the eleven to fourteen digit Virtual Phone Bank Code from the end of the OpenVPB link you received. It will look like the example on the screen.
The system will begin prepping your session, and your screen will refresh with your first voter’s information and the script.
Slide 13
Let’s examine what the screen will look like once you’re inside!
On the left, you’ll see the ‘About’ section for the voter you are attempting to contact. This section will contain important info such as the voter’s phone number and their location.
To the right, on the main portion of your screen, you will see the voter’s name and phone number. Below is the script that will guide you through your conversation.
Slide 14
As you scroll down through the script, you will notice drop down menus. These drop down menus are where you will record the answers to the questions you will ask the voter.
It is very important to select an answer for each question. If a voter does not answer a particular question, leave the drop down for that question blank, but input the answers for the questions the voter does answer.
Slide 15
If you could not reach the voter, click the red ‘I Couldn’t Reach (voter name)’ below their name and number, and a drop down with options will appear. Your organizer or group leader should have provided you with a guide for which option to choose for which scenario. Select the appropriate option according to the guide and the descriptions for each option.
Once you have marked the voter with the correct ‘Couldn’t Reach’ response, click ‘Save & Next Call’ to move on to the next voter.
The ‘Save & Next Call’ button will save the info you input for the voter you just finished speaking with and take you to the next voter to call.
If you accidentally clicked the ‘I Couldn’t Reach’ button, click ‘Cancel’ to go back to the script.
Slide 16
When you are finished phonebanking, the ‘Stop Making Calls’ button will save the info you just recorded for the voter whose profile screen you are on and will end your phone banking session for you. Once you click that button, it will take you to the ‘Thank You’ screen and ask you to confirm that you are ready to end your phone banking session.
Your options on this screen are: ‘Make More Calls’ to return to the phone bank, or ‘Leave Session’ to end your phone banking session.
Slide 17
Review tips and tricks from the slide.
Keep it personal: You’re a human and so is the person on the other end of the call!
Know your Script: Practice it before you start and aim to finish it on each call.
Find a rhythm: Commit to phonebanking on a regular schedule! Consider hosting next time.
Slide 18
Use this slide to send people off to make calls, remember to put the time they should return on the slide.
Slide 19
If folks are nervous or have more questions Indivisible has put together all of these resources to assist in phonebanking.
Slide 20
Allow 2-3 minutes for sharing. Which call had the most impact on you.
Slide 21
Thank yous
Thank you so much for your time today. With every call you made today you helped us take one more step forward towards building a democracy that works for everyone. We hope you will join us again or maybe even host a phone bank next time.
PRO Tips
Here are some tips to make your phonebank a success!!!
Plan a break about half way through a two hour phone bank. This will help maintain call continuity once the break is over.
Have people share a success story from a great call.
Encourage people to get up and stretch.
This would be a good time to take a bathroom break.
Plan a fun 2-3 minute break transition activity back into call mode.
Get back to the dialer as soon as possible
If your phonebank is in person, consider providing snacks and/or bottled water