Phone banks are incredibly simple and easy to use for all callers.
However, before making a call, you will need 2 things. First, you will need to have a login to Blocks. Second, you will need to have the URL for the phone bank call session.
If you do not have either of these things, I recommend reaching out to your program manager or Blocks administrator.
Your link should look something like this: svdemo.blocks.im/organize/phone_banks/10/call_sessions/new
When you click the link, you will first be prompted to log into Blocks.
Enter in your email and password, complete two-factor authentication and you will be directed to your phone banking profile page.
On the left you will see your name in Blocks, as well as how many calls you have made in past sessions and how many phone bank sessions you have completed in your user history. You can also see how long you have been making calls. The “Volunteer since” date denotes the date you created your first phone banking session.
Below your information, you will see welcome text and some information about the phone bank you will be calling for.
To begin a phone bank, they will click ‘Start Session.’
On the left you will see some additional instructions, reminding you to review the script on the right and the participant information below before initiating a call. The participant information will include participant name, address and any other data that is relevant to the call.
Calls will be made through the browser and you will click ‘Start Call’ to begin your first call.
You will see that the messaging changes at the top to say ‘On a call…” Additionally, the timer will begin to record your call time and the number that you are calling is displayed.
Depending on the outcome of the call (if you contact the participant or not), you will choose ‘Participated’ or ‘Did not participate’ below the participant information.
If you contact the participant, you will choose ‘Participated’ and then go through the script with them, selecting answers for each of the questions during your conversation.
If you do not contact the participant, you will select ‘Did not participate,’ and you will see a pop-up window with reason options.
Once a call is initiated, it can be ended in-browser or by the participant. Once the call is complete, the page will read ‘Call Ended’ and the full call time will be recorded.
You will notice that the buttons may be grayed out. That indicates that you have not yet entered a response for the call. You will not be able to move on to the next call, or end your session until a response is submitted.
Click the blue submit button to submit your response for this call.
Once your response is submitted for that call, you will see a checkmark next to submitted and the option to move onto the next call or end your session.
Once you are finished with all of your calls, click the purple ‘End Session’ button.
You will be directed to an end-session page, which will again show your user information and phone banking history.
You will see a thank you message, or content instructing you on your next steps. You can also choose to start a new session from this page if you exited in error.
You will also notice an experience rating at the bottom of the page. This will allow you to share your phone banking experience with us as well as your Blocks administrators.