PATCH-THROUGH CALLS
Talking heads and firebrand commentators often shout that government is out of touch with everyday people. And while the halls of Congress in Washington and state capitals across the country might feel like the domain of politicians, lobbyists and special interest groups, these places belong to every American. The trouble is connecting real people with the people who hold real power. Using patch-through telephone technology, Stones' Phones can bridge this divide, and turn everyday citizens into political activists. We know how to put pressure on the government to pass the right laws. It all begins with a simple phone call.
Stones' Phones starts by calling thousands of constituents to pinpoint those willing to speak up on the issues that matter most – whether that is protecting social security, defending a woman's right to choose, advocating for environmental protections, or a host of other critical causes. Once we identify the people engaged in the issue, we help them hone the message, and then carefully explain the patch-through process, which allows us to transfer the call to the right people in government. Even though a Stones' Phones operator is no longer on the line, we make sure our instructions are crystal clear so that constituents being patched though understand that they will next speak with an official or staff member willing to listen to their views. Our process is so seamless that government offices frequently commend us on our work.
Effective patch-throughs involve much more than transferring a flood of calls. Stones' Phones understands the legislative process inside and out. On the long-term problems that matter, Stones' Phones can cultivate support for a bill by patching through select callers months in advance. As a result, policy makers and legislators hear from their constituents earlier, and devote more resources towards finding the right solutions.
In 2010 we worked with a leading charitable organization to advocate for commonsense food safety regulations. Targeted patch- throughs to key Senate leaders like Senator Harry Reid and Senator Mitch McConnell put a relatively obscure issue on the map. In a rare show of bipartisanship, Reid and McConnell brought Democrats and Republicans together to pass a landmark food safety law, in large part because of the pressure put on them by patched through constituents.
To make sure our patch-throughs stand out, Stones' Phones has become an expert at finding unique and unexpected voices: conservative men who support protecting social security, red state residents who want action on climate change, small business owners who believe in national health care coverage. These individuals stand out because they defy stereotypical expectations and can reach politicians still on the fence. We also encourage the people who we patch through to be passionate about their views. Instead of inundating constituents with obscure legislative lingo, we get them to speak from the heart, because patching people through is more than just getting a receptionist to tally up phone calls. It's about inspiring everyday citizens to stand up and speak out.
Step 1:
Phoning thousands of constituents to pinpoint those willing to speak up on the issues that matter most
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Step 2:
Identify the people engaged in the issue
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Step 3:
Make sure each constituent understands the message, and then carefully explain the patch-through process
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Step 4:
Make sure patch-through instructions are crystal clear
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Step 5:
Transfer the call to the right people in government