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Get Your Game Face On
Torchlight | Summer 2008
Are you ready for some Phonathon? The NACS Foundation presents yet another "I Am" volunteer opportunity for store buyers to contribute to the college store industry and enhance the professional lives of all your colleagues—the annual Phonathon. The Foundation is looking for a starting lineup of volunteer team members to fill its game day roster scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 1 to solicit support from industry vendors for the Foundation's fundraising events slated for CAMEX 2009 in Anaheim, CA, March 13-17.
The funds generated from CAMEX partnerships support industry educational programs, research, such as Student Watch, and grants to individuals, including CAMEX and regional and state associations.
College store buyers are critical to the Phonathon process and success because they often have the most frequent contact with vendor representatives. "Both my apparel buyer and I have participated in the NACS Foundation Phonathon for the last couple of years. I believe volunteering contributes to personal and professional growth," explained Katie Lee, director, Auburn University Bookstore. "It's a great way to reward an employee with time out of the store and provide them an opportunity for growth. Friendship and camaraderie are two of the greatest personal rewards for participation. I strongly encourage managers to allow their buyers to attend this event; just don't feel badly if your buyer has a greater rate of success than you do."
On Sept. 1-Oct. 30, talent scouts (a.k.a. college store buyers) will be calling both vendors they work with directly and others, including first-time exhibitors, to highlight the various CAMEX fundraising options that can help companies increase their industry visibility during the trade show, while at the same time supporting the work of the NACS Foundation.
This year's NACS Foundation CAMEX fundraising events include the Bring A Buyer to CAMEX grant program, Online Auction, and Student Watch. Industry vendor members do not have to wait until the Phonathon to take advantage of the Foundation's partnership opportunities. Any vendor who would like to get a jump start on this year's partnerships can visit the Foundation's web site to get started.
2007 Phonathon committee member Peter Poon, associate director, Titan Shops, reflects on his past experience as a volunteer. "Volunteering for this event was really fun and simple. Using my network with key vendors in my region helped the Foundation achieve its overall fundraising goals for its CAMEX events. Knowing that I helped contribute to that success was very gratifying." Poon continues, "I enjoyed my experience while attending the Phonathon; working with the Foundation staff and networking with other store members was a great experience. I would recommend that all buyers be given an opportunity to contribute to this very worthwhile and charitable event."
The Phonathon will be at the NACS headquarters in Oberlin, OH, and the Foundation will pay for the travel and accommodation expenses of all store buyers who volunteer. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Phonathon or in partnering with a CAMEX fundraising event can contact Executive Director DeAnn Hazey at (800) 622-7498, ext. 2286, or e-mail dhazey@nacs.org. We…could…go…all…the…way!
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