Day One - Training - 25 March 2006

Monty Python. Terry-Thomas. Jane Fonda.

What does this have to do with fundraising?

Plenty. Each film clip gives an insight into what to do ... or not ... as the case may be. Chatting on the phone is a lot more complicated that most people think.

Relationships ... at the best of times ... can be complicated. Chatting to strangers and making it meaningful is an art.

Giving to Aston University should be a positive experience, especially because education means so much to people's present and future lives. Most people make their closest friends here. They often meet their life partner. And they gain skills which will help them get the all-important first job.

To quote Professor John Saunders, Pro-Vice Chancellor Alumni and Head of the Aston Business School: "Aston has progressed massively over the years. We are not a university born of privilege, but a challenging school that has gained an outstanding world reputation from the pure quality of what we do, our continued commitment to teaching and research, and our desire to attract the best students regardless of background."

You, the student callers, are the connection between yesterday and tomorrow ... helping alumni help students.

Through these two days of training and the calling nights ahead, we hope that you will truly appreciate the importance of what you are doing and take pride in your achievements both as individuals and as part of the student calling team.