Bison Club launches annual calling program

The Bucknell Bison Club began their annual student-athlete and coaches’ Call-Athon Program earlier this month. The program is designed to systematically reach Bucknell alumni with help from the individuals they most directly support – the student-athletes and coaches. Each student-athlete is asked to devote two hours of their time per day, three days a week over a three-month period. The primary goal of the program is to either thank those who have made a gift to the Bison Club or varsity sports program during the fiscal year or to solicit support from those who have not yet made a gift.

There is significant value in using student-athletes and coaches in development efforts. In most cases, a thank you phone call from a student-athlete is more significant for a donor because the student-athlete can personally reflect on their opportunities and experiences made possible by the donor’s support. In turn, this phone call gives the donor an opportunity to engage the student-athlete or coach and ask questions about their team or the Bucknell Athletic Department. This unique interaction will bode well for long-term cultivation and increase the donor’s propensity to give.

Bucknell’s Call-Athon Program is not necessarily an innovative or novel idea, but it is consistent and systematic. It signifies one last strong push for donations as the fiscal year comes to an end (June 30). The success of this type of program is highly contingent on the “buy-in” the Bison Club establishes with coaches and athletes. The clear guidelines and expectations in the program make this seamless for Bucknell and will help ensure the program’s long term viability.

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Matt Kirinovic