We’ve been having some very encouraging conversations in our latest round of phone banking. Our new script is very different from what we have used in the past because it is based on deep canvassing. It leads off with asking people about their opinions on the environment and climate solutions, and some people really want to talk about it! While callers still receive many of the usual responses such as wrong number, not home, voicemail and hangups, the conversations that we do have seem to be connecting emotionally with environmentalists who don’t typically vote.
Two of our phone banking volunteers share their recent experiences below:
“I had a few in-depth, heartfelt conversations while phone banking one night last week using our new script. One woman I talked to said she was uncomfortable about what seemed to her like “the weird shifting of the seasons.” She said she was also very frustrated that some people just don’t see it. After asking her to tell me more, she talked about how winters are so much shorter now and we shared our mutual sadness that snow is no longer practically guaranteed for Christmas anymore. One of her family members lives in northern Wisconsin, and they never even got their snowmobiles out last year. The snowmobile trails were not opened even once. She confirmed that family traditions were very important to her. She and I agreed that many things are very different now because of the weird weather caused by climate change. After we had talked, she was absolutely sure she would be voting. She thanked me for talking with her.” – Jill Mitchler
“Using a deep-canvassing-inspired phone banking script and the polished call list, I had an incredibly fulfilling phone banking session last week with several deep conversations! With one caller, I shared my experience of wildfire smoke clouding my neighborhood, and they talked about how they knew people in California who were affected by other wildfires. We developed a shared understanding of our love for those we care about. The phone call comforted me. It affirmed my belief that there are others like me who want to talk about their deep-rooted feelings about climate change with people who want to understand, not debate. As a bonus, the caller I mentioned committed to go to the polls and even agreed to a text reminder! Thank you to all of the previous phone bankers who worked hard to clean up the call list and make my phone banking session a motivational experience.” – Jun Gesteland
We are phone banking twice a week through the end of October. Give it a try! In addition to having some inspiring discussions by telephone, we’re learning and practicing skills that can be used in our everyday, face-to-face conversations. Every phone banking session includes training.
Tuesday mornings – 10:00 to 11:30 am CT (if you don’t need training you can just come at 10:30 or whenever you want to start) Zoom Link: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/86403066619? pwd=lrOXb1RSpeKoUj4BGEHaHc9ACh06VH.1 Meeting ID: 864 0306 6619 Passcode: 123
Thursday evenings – 6-7:45 pm CT Link: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/87024242304?pwd=OWKcfiUiaARQUE7MNcpr1f2GLPcceZ.1 Meeting ID: 870 2424 2304 Passcode: 123
Please consider joining us; we’d love to have your help. And if it’s out of your comfort zone, remember that’s where the magic happens!
Citizens' Climate Lobby Wisconsin 