Researching chuggers: our results

 
> We recorded every interview we had with a chugger on this spreadsheet (Excel 97-03 format).

> When we were interviewing chuggers, we used this record sheet to mark down our interactions.


Did fundraisers have the correct ID and branding?

“As a minimum, basic training ought to include the importance of visible ID badges and branding” (p.6, 4.3.1 of IoF code)

80% (40) of fundraisers’ ID was visible and 40% (16) of these fundraisers directly presented their ID to the researcher.

20% (10) of fundraisers’ ID was not visible.

98% (49) of fundraisers had the name of the charity they were representing clearly written on their person (The one who didn’t was wearing branded clothing, but the name of the charity had rubbed off and was no longer visible).


Were fundraisers polite?

“As a minimum, basic training ought to include emphasis on the non-aggressive nature of all approaches” (p. 6, 4.3.1 of IoF code)

80% (40) of fundraisers scored full marks for politeness (5 out of 5).

92% (46) of fundraisers scored the top two marks for politeness (either 4 or 5 out of 5)

Nobody was given either of the bottom two scores for politeness (1 or 2 out of 5)


Were fundraisers harassing?

“As a minimum, basic training ought to include procedures to ensure that potential supporters are not placed under inappropriate pressure to give their support” (p. 6, 4.3.1 of IoF code)

54% (27) of fundraisers scored the lowest score (1 out of 5) for harassment (meaning that they were not at all harassing)
Only one fundraiser (2%) scored the maximum harassment score (5 out of 5).

“As a minimum, basic training ought to include an immediate agreement to terminate the approach in a polite manner at any stage during the course of the approach, when asked to do so” (p. 6, 4.3.1 of IoF code)

30% (15) of fundraisers did not terminate interactions immediately and politely upon request.

Did fundraisers bring the organization they represented into disrepute?

“Fundraising organisations ought… to undertake Face-to-Face activity in such a manner that neither the fundraising organisation nor the provider is brought into disrepute”(p. 4, 3.1 of IoF code)

10% (5) of fundraisers behaved in a way that could bring the organisations they were representing into disrepute.   Three of these fundraisers claimed they were not paid, one tried to claim he was paid by the government and one (who was recruiting over 30’s) tried to get a researcher to lie about her date of birth on the Direct Debit form.

Were fundraisers confusing, misleading, or obstructing?

“Fundraising organisations ought to never deliberately confuse, mislead or obstruct the public” (p. 4, 3.1 of IoF code)

24% (12) of fundraisers behaved in a way which misled, confused or obstructed the researcher.

Did fundraisers give clear information about the cause they represented?

“In conducting Face-to-Face activity fundraising organisations should: give potential donors clear information about the cause and fundraising organisation they are being asked to support” (p. 4, 3.1 of IoF code)

24% (12) of fundraisers did not give clear information about the cause they were representing.

Did fundraisers disclose proper details of their payment?

“The Institute of Fundraising recognises that transparency to the public is paramount… and notes that… [fundraisers] must comply with certain transparency requirements set out in the Charities Act 1992. They must make a statement specifying: if they are professional fundraisers, the method by which their remuneration is determined and the ‘notifiable amount’ of that remuneration (this will be the remuneration of the professional fundraising organisation if the fundraiser is employed by such an organisation)” (p. 5, 4.2 of IoF code)

Only 8% (4) of fundraisers made a solicitation statement (including a notifiable amount) without being prompted.

A further 12% (6) gave the information that they were paid without being prompted (but did not give a notifiable amount).

When asked (we left this until the end of the interaction so that the fundraiser had every opportunity to make a solicitation statement unprompted), 72% (36) of fundraisers gave the information that they were paid (1 claimed he was paid by the government).   Of these, 47% (17) gave a notifiable amount.

6% (3) of fundraisers claimed they were unpaid volunteers (despite clear evidence to the contrary).