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FAQs for Arts Managers
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We want to make sure your experience with Business On Call meets your expectations and runs smoothly.
- What makes Business On Call different from other volunteer services?
- Who are Business On Call volunteers?
- Why do I need a login and password?
- OMG, I forgot my login and password!
- When is the best time to request volunteers?
- What happens after I login and submit my request for volunteers?
- How will I know when someone registers for my event?
- Will I still be able to receive volunteer registrations via email?
- So volunteers have registered for my event. Now what?
- Why can’t you guarantee that I’ll receive the number of volunteers I’ve requested?
- My event went smoothly and the volunteers were great. Who wants to know?
If at any time you have questions, would like to talk through your request and/or you’d like to share feedback, please give us a call: 215-790-3679.
What makes Business On Call different from other volunteer services?
We are the only arts service organization in the region that partners with companies and individual business people to volunteer specifically and only with the nonprofit arts and cultural community. Our program staff monitors all matching and project activity and is readily available as a resources to arts managers.
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Who are Business On Call volunteers?
Some of the best people on earth, really! They are scientists, administrative assistants, analysts, vice presidents, directors, engineers, tellers, managers, specialists, officers, technicians, clerks, associates, coordinators, supervisors, project leaders, IT managers, accountants, HR generalists , graphic designers, processors, and recruiters – as well as artists: singers, writers, performers, actors, gardeners, genealogists and arts supporters themselves.
To put it simply: they are people who are employed by our sponsoring companies who have self-selected to volunteer for the arts and cultural community by registering for Business On Call.
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Why do I need a login and password?
Instead of retyping organization and event information for every request for volunteers, we thought it would be easier for you to type it in once, and then update as needed. Yes, it’s another login/password to remember – but now in addition to receiving volunteer registrations via email, this information will also be listed online, and your requests for volunteers from year to year are now saved in one place.
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OMG, I forgot my login and password!
No problem! Click here and enter your Username – this is usually your work email address – and an email will be sent to you with new login information. Still not sure? Give us a call, 215-790-3620, and we can reset it for you.
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When is the best time to request volunteers?
Complete your request for volunteers 4-6 weeks prior to the event. February, April, September, and October are our busiest months of the year. Make your volunteer opportunity/request is interesting. It might be the first introduction a volunteer has to your organization, so be informative and inviting.
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What happens after I login and submit my request for volunteers?
When you’ve completed your request, your information will be sent to the Business On Call director for approval. Once your request is reviewed and approved, you’ll be contacted by the program director and your request will be posted to Business On Call volunteers via the Council website and the volunteers-only e-newsletter distributed every Wednesday.
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How will I know when someone registers for my event?
When a volunteer registers for your event, you will receive all contact, shift and position info via email. As your request for volunteers meets capacity, it will be removed as an option for volunteers, so no overcrowding! You are also able to login and update this information if you’ve fulfilled your volunteer needs through avenues outside of Business On Call.
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Will I still be able to receive volunteer registrations via email?
Yes. All volunteer contact, shift time, special needs and accompanying volunteer information will still be sent directly to your email. Once you’ve requested volunteers, you won’t need to login again unless you’ve fulfilled your volunteer needs through avenues outside of Business On Call or your event is over and it’s time to provide feedback.
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So volunteers have registered for my event. Now what?
Business On Call volunteers are waiting to hear from you! Confirm all volunteers at the time of their registration – a phone call, a letter, an email, or a group email – whatever mode works best. Follow up with each volunteer to confirm their participation, introduce them to the organization, and answer any questions.
If volunteers don't hear from you, they will assume their assistance is not needed and will not be at the event.
Tip: If you have time, send an email reminder with final details to the Business On Call volunteers registered for your event a day or two before your event…even if you just spoke to them.
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Why can’t you guarantee that I’ll receive the number of volunteers I’ve requested?
Our program is strong because Business On Call volunteers choose when they want to participate, with whom they want to volunteer for and how often they'd like to participate in the program – we only require that volunteer’s register for a minimum of one event per year.
This means everyone who’s volunteering with you is interested in your event and wants to be there - not volunteering because “they have to.” We make every effort to promote your volunteer needs with the time and resources that we have.
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My event went smoothly and the volunteers were great. Who wants to know?
We do! We have a brief evaluation for you to complete. So, after the event, let us know how it went: Who stole the show, who didn’t call you back, what we can do better next time - tell us everything!
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Have a question about Business On Call? Email us at BOC@artsandbusinessphila.org