That may not always be the case, Bill, I've been called in to a special phone center to make calls as a volunteer for my local chapter. They provided a script and several "comebacks" for initial refusals.

Me, too. Phone calls are not always outsourced. It depends on funds per region.

you could tell she was using a script, because of the wording that she chose, but its like she was going to get a prize for hauling in the most bucks that day, or she personally was going to be named volunteer of the year. She needed to remember that she was calling SICK people. maybe some who were blind and couldnt fill out the form, or depend on rides for food, and dont want to beg their rides to stop at the post office too. maybe we feel that we have imposed enough on our neighbors and their pockets are empty this year after pre buying oil contracts. Maybe my friends have been very generous with their time, talent, and monies already, and putting a card in their mail is over the top. LOTS of reasons, but she wasnt going to let it go.

I did call the NMSS and spoke to a very nice woman, who was very apologetic, and wanted to assure me that those volunteers are working hard on MY behalf to make sure funding keeps coming in. She agreed that after a certain point, volunteers should stop pushing, and promised to look into who was in charge of MY phone area for that day. sheesh!

so, thanks for all the input. I am just tired of all of the fund raising. I give ALOT and I give FREQUENTLY. I dont need to be guilted into more.

I agreed to send out the info and collect the money, but I had no idea that they expected me to be hitting on my friends and family! I don’t mind stuffing envelopes. I don’t mind paying the postage. Why don’t they just buy a mailing list for my local area, and supply me with names and addresses? I feel that they way they did it was quite intrusive. And, BTW, I sent out ten pieces of mail, and have heard nothing form any of the recipients.

In the past, I've done those mailer thingys, to my neighbors, for the Heart Assn, Childrens Hosp and others, but, when the NMSS calls, I hang up.. JK!

I say no to all of them now. I just say, to all, that I am unable to participate, do to illness/MS, including the NMSS.

I have, also, given plenty to the NMSS.

I tried to say no too but the person kept badgering me - I finally said ok, send them. I can't send them out - only a few family members know I got MS and I sure ain't gonna start asking them to make donations at this point.

The NMSS is persistent. I get my annual dues request about every 6 weeks. I guess they haven't figured it out after 20 years I'm only gonna pay my annual contribution once a year yet.

Tom

isnt that horrible? maybe we DONT want to announce to the world that we have this? maybe it would voilate OUR confidentiality to accept this. Maybe my parents are old, and this would make them very stressed to know, or co workers would treat me differently and I may lose my job. maybe my friends are shallow and would treat me differently. Maybe I am just incredibly busy and with cog fog, and a full day of struggle the LAST thing I want to do is mail out cards, or since I cant balance my own check book, you want ME to keep track of the money coming in? what is wrong with that picture?

So, thank you NMSS, you do an amazing job! just be careful about how pushy you are when asking those of us that are sick to carry the burden.

And whats with that having to lie business? If I DONT contribute a penny, because I dont have pennies to contribute, you make me lie and say I do! I have many many friends would cant afford their meds, let alone a $10 gift to NMSS. yet when they show up they say "oh, I already sent in my contribution." NO! you didnt, and ya know what? its OK! really. we give what we can, and we do what we can, but NO ONE should be made to feel like less of a person because they cant. it just pushes my buttons.

I understand and empathize with your frustration, Dejibo.

I am not very tolerant with this type of thing, no matter what the "cause". I'm quite sure they regret calling my house, if they end up pushing my buttons. All my pent up frustration gets hurled at them if they do not accept my "I gave already" and/or a simple "no, not this time, thanks" response.

I don't have this kind of problem with the MSS in Canada, BTW. The only thing I get from them is dozens of different kinds of address stickies every time I send in a donation (several per annum).

I paid my dues, when I could. I used to contribute 5% of my gross salary to the MSS, for many years when I worked. Now I am unable and/or unwilling to help much, and they had best "get that" fairly early on in the convo, and before I lose my temper.

Just blast them next time. Who cares, they don't know you?

Cherie