Q:  Do guests ever feel offended receiving a post-event Follow-Up Call, feeling that they attended and supported your event—why are you calling them now?

Sue in California

A:  People should not be offended to receive Follow-Up Calls after a Point of Entry Event because they will have been told by the friend who invites them to the Point of Entry that they will receive one call after the event to get their feedback. If, at the event, there is a sign-in table, the volunteer or staff member at the table should be telling the guests that they will receive a call. Of course, you should only be making Follow-Up Calls to guests who have given you permission to do so by filling out a card with their contact information and giving it to you.

After the Ask Event, you will be following up with donors and table captains—not with people who attended and did not make a gift. As for other fundraising events like galas and golf tournaments, we say you can only follow up with people who have given you a card or filled out a card asking for more information. The Benevon Model truly is permission based. You should only be calling people who already expect to receive a call.

Terry