News by Jessica Sheley "I've talked with students from the first graduating class."

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Reviews | Send mail to The Voice Michelle Peel connects donors to Multnomah Michelle Peel talks to hundreds of alumni and donors, building relationships. -Mark Hinkleman, photo The development office has hired a new donor relations coordinator, and she spends most of her workday chat-ting with alumni and donors on the phone. Michelle Peel is not a tele-marketer and does not ask for money. Instead, she talks to alumni and donors about their families, ministries and lives. She asks how Multnomah can pray for and assist them. Between June 4 and Aug. 22 of this year, Ms. Peel made 1,100 phone calls to donors and alumni. "I've called people from all over the [United] States, including Alaska and Hawaii. I've talked with students from the first graduating class," she said. She speaks with alumni about professors they both had while attending Multnomah. She gives updates on changes at Multnomah and finds out about changes in their lives. "I think being a recent student myself has helped me connect with people more quickly," she said. Several times she has called someone whose spouse just passed away. She listens, counsels, prays and writes to these people. She sends books on issues such as grieving. Out of the 1,100 calls she has made, only 11 people have asked her not to call back. Most feedback has been positive, she said. People have said things such as, "I'm so glad Multnomah is doing this," or "They have needed this for a long time." One man she called had support- ed Multnomah for 20 years but had never visited the campus. His friend attended years ago, and the man has supported MBC ever since. Some donors are cautious when Ms. Peel calls, she said. One man told her, "I know you're calling because you want money." As soon as she explains the reason for her call, however, people usually relax. She sometimes enjoys long conversations with people who were initially hesitant. Several times these same people have told her they plan to send a donation to Multnomah. "People have to feel like the organi-zation is giving to them," she said. "I want to let them feel Multnomah's heart. Obviously, money helps our institution. We need money. Everyone needs money...but it's deeper than that. It's about the relationship." Ms. Peel uses a printed list of all the donors. She plans to set up a computer database for general information such as a donor's name, address, phone number and connection with Multnomah. She would like to include information such as whether the person is hard of hearing so she will know to speak slowly. She may also include interests, hobbies, and data about jobs or ministry. Then she would know how to pray for the person before making the phone call. Development director Marissa Newby said she thought Ms. Peel's personality would fit the job well. "It's a hard job," she said. "For most people, it's easy to connect face to face, but [connecting] is a lot harder over the phone." Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Reviews | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2001 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.