Students will call or write letters to donors and alumni to thank them for their dedication as a part of a university thankathon.
University officials will be hosting the donor thankathon 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mar. 6 – 8 in the computer lab in Dulaney-Browne Library.
Students will be paid $10 an hour for three and a half hour shifts. Food will be provided.
The student callers are volunteers, so the thankathon team is looking for more students to get involved, said Carrie Sauer, director of annual giving.
“It’s a good experience for the donor and the caller,” Sauer said. “The donors love to get the call, and it looks good for work experience.”
This event began four years ago as an initiative from the alumni board of directors. Two student volunteers work to provide students with a list of donors, phones and snacks.
There also will be a loose script provided for students to follow with their calls.
This is the first year the option has been given for students to write letters instead of calling.
“I know a lot of students don’t want to talk on the phone,” Sauer said. “Stationary and pens will be provided for students who want to write notes.”
Acting junior Elaine Weatherby has participated in this event for the past three years and says it differs from the annual fundraiser in the sense that there’s less pressure because donations aren’t necessary.
But, many donors still give. Last year, student callers raised $500 from the donor thankathon.
Weatherby said it’s important that students do all-year fundraisers because it reflects well on the university when alumni donate to the school.
“It’s a fun way to give back and thank the people who make OCU a good place to be,” Sauer said. “It’s also a fun way to meet alumni and make connections.”
Weatherby encourages students to participate because it will help them contact people in their areas of study and organizations, and they have a chance to practice their etiquette.
She said that it can be particularly useful for international students looking to improve their conversational skills. Students can get involved by contacting Sauer at (405) 208-5873 or csauer@okcu.edu.
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