Phone call formulas: what’s a ‘good’ call & how to measure it

What makes a great fundraising call—and how can you tell when you’ve had one?

In this energising session, Cam St-Omer Donaldson draws on her years of experience coaching thousands of fundraisers to explore what a truly effective call looks (and sounds) like. Whether you’re thanking supporters, gathering insights, or making the ask, this session is packed with practical tips and heartfelt insights on how to build real connection through conversation.

You’ll discover:

• The pre-call formula: Why a great call starts before the dial tone.
• How to balance compliance with human connection—making rules meaningful, not robotic.
• The power of active listening, tone, and pace in building genuine rapport.
• Role play tips to overcome fear and help fundraisers feel ready, not rehearsed.
• How to measure what matters: beyond sign-ups, toward impact, empathy, and long-term supporter loyalty.

Plus, you’ll get Cam’s four-part framework for reviewing call quality—covering compliance, values, soft skills, and gratitude—alongside creative ideas for sharing results back with callers to boost confidence and quality.

Whether you’re picking up the phone yourself or managing others who are, this session will leave you with a clear blueprint for what a great call sounds like, and how to create more of them. Warm, practical, and rooted in experience, this is one to bookmark and come back to.