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Using the Calling Functionality/Browser Calling
Introduction
The PDI Online Phone Bank gives canvassers the ability to access digital call list from any computer with an internet connection. The Online Phone Bank is not a predictive dialer, and canvassers will need either a phone or VoIP software in order to make calls. When a phone bank is created, the creator can choose which calling options will be available to canvassers.
To access the Online Phone Bank, canvassers will need the correct Phone Bank Link, which is created during the phone bank setup process. In addition, canvassers will need to be registered as canvassers for that phone bank. Read the Online Phone Bank article for more information about how to set up an Online Phone Bank.
Using the Online Phone Bank
Duration
The duration of the call is visible in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
Contact Information
In the upper left-hand corner of the page, the voter's name, phone number, gender, age, political party, vote by mail status, and email address (if known) will be displayed.
Voter Information
Below the Contact Information box, there will be a box containing the voter's address and district information.
Introduction
The Introduction features the introduction to the script as well as a set of non-contact codes. If any of these non-contact codes are activated, they will apply to all of the members of the household.
Survey
The Survey is displayed below the Introduction. To complete the survey, activate the radio button of the response, and click on the right-facing green arrow to move to the next question. Questions that cannot be skipped will have their right-facing arrows grayed out until an option is selected. Left-facing arrows will return you to the previous question.
Completing the Call
At the bottom of the page, there is a box with four options: Save Data/Next Call, Schedule Volunteer, Add Information, and Skip Call.
Clicking Save Data/Next Call will save all of the flags that were entered into the phone bank and move onto the next individual/household in the call list.
Clicking the Schedule Volunteer link displays a table that displays a list of upcoming shifts.
This box gives you the ability to schedule an individual for an upcoming shift.
Clicking the Add Information link creates a pop-up section that contains the individual's name at the top and a few different fields below.
- Phone: Add a new home phone number for the individual.
- Cellphone: Add a new cell phone number for the individual.
- E-mail: Add a new email address for the individual.
- Comments: Enter additional information about the individual that does not fit in the survey.
- Non-Contact Online Phone Bank: This section allows you to mark only the individual with a non-contact disposition, instead of marking their entire household.
Clicking Skip Call will skip past this household to the next household. Note: If you flag voters in this household and then click this button, the program will not save the entered flags.
Using the Calling Functionality/Browser Calling
Click to Dial VOIP
When a canvasser is using Browser Calling, there will be a Start Call button on the Online Phone Bank page by the phone number of the individual or household being contacted. There will be an additional Start Call button next to the Mobile Phone field in the Contact Information section. Each button corresponds with the adjacent phone number.
Browser Calling relies entirely on the audio of your computer. You can use the integrated microphone in your computer; however, it is highly recommended that you use a headset for a better call experience.
To begin the calling process, click the Start Call button. The calling function will immediately begin your phone call. To end the call, click the End Call button. This will immediately hang up the call.
Dial-In
The Dial-In function relies on the canvasser's phone, instead of using computer audio. The canvasser calls a provided phone number to join the phone bank. They will stay on the line the whole time that they are canvassing and use the Online Phone Bank page to navigate between individual calls.
If Dial-In calling has been enabled by the phone bank creator, there will be a Dial-in Calling Service toggle in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. When the canvasser activates this button, a pop-up will appear.
Enter the phone number of the phone you will be using to make calls and click Done. The pop-up will disappear. In the upper left-hand corner, you will see text saying Your Dial-in Number is followed by a 10-digit phone number. Call that number to join the service. Then, click the Start Call button on the Online Phone Bank page to begin a phone call.
To end a phone call, click the End Call button. This will immediately hang up the call. Do not hang up your actual phone until you are done calling, as the phone calls in this feature are still directly controlled through the Online Phone Bank Application.