PhonaSMACKDOWN

Starting Oct. 5, students will gather under the Phonathon banner to call alumni and ask for donations like in previous years. But 2009 hails the first Phonasmackdown, a competition between participating student organizations resulting in cash prizes for the teams that get the most donation money.

Why the change?

“Phonathon needed to have a bigger part on campus, because it’s a really important tradition,” Assistant Director of Annual Giving Dustin Ross said. “We also wanted student organizations that participate to get the opportunity to win money.”

A student assistant for Phonathon this year, Kelsey Olson (‘11), explained the co-chairs’ decision to incorporate cash prizes.

“They decided to do it as an incentive to get more groups involved,” Olson said.

Though giving away money at a fundraising event may seem counterproductive, Ross is confident.

“There’s always a controversy with fundraising,” said Ross. “You have to spend a little money to hopefully make a lot more money.”

The money Phonasmackdown is giving away is expected to be much less than the groups will raise, so Ross sees it as a win-win situation.

“There are lots of student organizations on campus that do a lot of good things but don’t have the budget to make as big of an impact as they could, so I’m hoping that by working all together we can create some leverage for them,” Ross said.

Organizations aren’t the only ones who can participate; anyone can sign up by joining a team led by a student team captain. These teams, while not eligible for cash prizes, have the opportunity to win gift certificates to Rubaiyat, Viking Theater and the Sugar Bowl.

Phonathon participants, both those in organizations and those on traditional teams, seem to like the system.

“I think it’s a good way of getting organizations involved,” said second-year participant Danielle Gibbs (‘12).

Phonasmackdown will also increase competition, which co-chairs and Phonathon organizers are hoping will keep enthusiasm up.

“We try to make things fun for people, and we try to get in the competition aspect,” Phonathon co-chair Beth Harrell (‘11) explained.

Games and prizes abound on calling nights, keeping spirits high as students call alumni to ask for money. Keeping up enthusiasm and student participant numbers is critical.

“Students make a huge impact,” Harrell said. “They make or break Phonathon, basically.”

Phonathon raises about $380,000 every year, which means every participating student raises about $1000.

While there are no hard numbers for participants in Phonathon this year,in terms of team captains and organizations, there is the capacity for 450 volunteers, a high number compared to previous years.

Students can sign up until Friday, Sept. 25 or show up at Loyalty Hall on a calling night to join.

The slogan for this year’s Phonathon is “Making a Difference: One Call at a Time,” and with the new incentives and organization participation, Luther students could indeed make a big difference with this fundraising event.