Changes to Feasibility Studies Procedures

Changes to Feasibility Study Procedures

Due to the situation with the coronavirus, we have adapted several of our procedures. We are prepared to offer four options for participation in the feasibility study. We have listed those options below, in order of preference. It is our strong belief that we should conduct 100-plus interviews using the first three methods; the fourth would only be used to expand the participation pool even further.

  1. Face-to-Face Interview

In a feasibility study, face-to-face interviews are extremely important. Even during these times, this is our preferred method. To ensure the safety of those participating, we have made several changes in this process, which have been reviewed and approved by Dr. Donna Hood, Director, Division of Nursing at Louisiana Tech University.

These updated procedures include:

  1. We kindly request a conference room with easy access to minimize the number of doors an interviewee must pass through. If possible, such doors should remain open to prevent a need for turning handles or pushing open.
  2. A bottle of hand sanitizer will be at the entrance of the room.
  3. We will sanitize the table and chair(s) before every interview.
  4. Our interviewer will sit at least six feet from the interviewees.
  5. Our interviewer will wear a mask, at the preference of the interviewee.
  6. There will be no physical contact between our interviewer and the interviewee. We will replace the laminated documents we formerly included in an interview with individual packets for each interviewee.

Our interviewers are also prepared to conduct interviews at the home or office of the interviewee. They will adhere to the above procedures as much as possible in the “uncontrolled” setting.

  1. Zoom Interview

We understand that not everyone will feel comfortable with a face-to-face interview. For those who decline, we will offer Zoom interviews. In this situation, our interviewer will speak to the interviewee over computer but with video. This still allows for a personal feel, and our interviewers will be able to analyze body language and facial expressions as well as the spoken word. There are a couple options for Zoom interviews:

  1. Our preference would be that our interviewer is onsite at the school during Zoom interviews. However, we can also offer a “remote” option, in which our interviewer will Zoom from his/her home or office, if necessary.
  2. While most who choose a Zoom interview will likely have the capability to Zoom from his/her home or office, there might be some who do not. In this case, we recommend the school offer a room where the feasibility study coordinator can set up the Zoom interview, while following the safety guidelines outlined in the personal interview section.

III. Phone Interview

For those who do not feel comfortable with a face-to-face interview nor a Zoom interview, we will offer a phone interview.

  1. Online Survey

For those in the identified Top 250 who decline an interview, we will offer an online survey for participation. The online survey is a shortened version of the personal interview questionnaire. We will also extend an invitation to the online survey for all current parents and grandparents in the database after the conclusion of personal interviews. Not only does this expand the interviewee pool, but it serves as a great cultivation tool for all school parents and grandparents.

 

Note: We will adhere to any additional institutional, local, city or state guidelines regarding COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Changes to Solicitation Procedures For Colleges and Universities

Changes to Solicitation Procedures for Colleges and Universities

Due to the situation with the coronavirus, we have adapted several of our procedures for solicitations. However, we still recommend using the five-step solicitation approach.

I. Face-to-Face Solicitation

A face-to-face solicitation has always been recommended as the only way to conduct a proper solicitation, with the rare exception due to distance. Even during these times, this is our preferred method. To ensure the safety of those participating, we have made several changes to the recommended solicitation process, which have been reviewed and approved by Dr. Donna Hood, Director, Division of Nursing at Louisiana Tech University.

These updated procedures include:

  1. We will encourage the prospect to come to campus for a meeting, which will enable a “controlled” environment.
  2. We recommend the use of a conference room with easy access to minimize the number of people passingthrough. If possible, such doors should remain open to prevent a need for turning handles or pushing open.
  3. A bottle of hand sanitizer will be at the entrance of the room.
  4. We will sanitize the table and chair(s) before every solicitation.
  5. All individuals participating in the solicitation will sit at least six feet apart.
  6. Development officers will be prepared to wear a mask, at the preference of the prospect.
  7. There will be no physical contact between solicitors and prospects.
  8. A hard copy proposal will be prepared for the prospect and will be available for pick up at the conclusion of themeeting.

Development officers should also be prepared to conduct solicitations at the home or office of the prospect, if that is the preference of the prospect. It will be important for the development officer to adhere to the above procedures as much as possible in the “uncontrolled” setting.

II. Zoom Solicitation

We understand that not everyone will feel comfortable with a face-to-face solicitation. For those who decline, a Zoom solicitation should be offered. In this situation, the solicitation team will speak to the prospect over computer but with video. This still allows for a personal feel, and the solicitors will be able to analyze body language and facial expressions as well as the spoken word.

It is recommended that the development officer include a decision-maker from the college/university on the Zoom solicitation (for example president, dean or athletic director). Including at least two representatives from your college/university on the call will add to the credibility of this solicitation method.

At the conclusion of the Zoom solicitation, a hard copy proposal should be mailed to the prospect for further review.

III. Phone Solicitation

For those who do not feel comfortable with a face-to-face solicitation nor a Zoom solicitation, a phone solicitation is acceptable. Keep in mind, smaller ask amounts seem to work better on phone solicitations. At the conclusion of the phone solicitation, a hard copy proposal should be mailed to the prospect for further review.

Note: We will adhere to any additional institutional, local, city or state guidelines regarding COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Changes to Solicitation Procedures for Private Schools

Changes to Solicitation Procedures for Private Schools

Due to the situation with the coronavirus, we have adapted several of our procedures for solicitations. However, we still recommend using the five-step solicitation approach.

I. Face-to-Face Solicitation

A face-to-face solicitation has always been recommended as the only way to conduct a proper solicitation, with the rare exception due to distance. Even during these times, this is our preferred method. To ensure the safety of those participating, we have made several changes to the recommended solicitation process, which have been reviewed and approved by Dr. Donna Hood, Director, Division of Nursing at Louisiana Tech University.

These updated procedures include:

  1. We will encourage the prospect to come to the school for a meeting, which will enable a “controlled” environment.
  2. We recommend the use of a conference room with easy access to minimize the number of people passing through. If possible, such doors should remain open to prevent a need for turning handles or pushing open.
  3. A bottle of hand sanitizer will be at the entrance of the room.
  4. We will sanitize the table and chair(s) before every solicitation.
  5. All individuals participating in the solicitation will sit at least six feet apart.
  6. JFSG associates will be prepared to wear a mask, at the preference of the prospect.
  7. There will be no physical contact between solicitors and prospects.
  8. A hard copy proposal will be prepared for the prospect and will be available for pick up at the conclusion of themeeting.

We are, however, also prepared to conduct solicitations at the home or office of the prospect, if that is the preference of the prospect. It will be important for the solicitors to adhere to the above procedures as much as possible in the “uncontrolled” setting.

II. Zoom Solicitation

We understand that not everyone will feel comfortable with a face-to-face solicitation. For those who decline, we can conduct a Zoom solicitation. In this situation, the solicitation team will speak to the prospect over computer but with video. This still allows for a personal feel, and the solicitors will be able to analyze body language and facial expressions as well as the spoken word.

Our preference would be that the J.F. Smith Group project manager is onsite with school leadership during Zoom solicitations. However, we can also offer a “remote” option, in which our project manager will Zoom from his/her home or office, if necessary.

At the conclusion of the Zoom solicitation, a hard copy proposal should be mailed to the prospect for further review.

III. Phone Solicitation

For those who do not feel comfortable with a face-to-face solicitation nor a Zoom solicitation, a phone solicitation is acceptable. Keep in mind, smaller ask amounts seem to work better on phone solicitations. At the conclusion of the phone solicitation, a hard copy proposal should be mailed to the prospect for further review.

Note: We will adhere to any additional institutional, local, city or state guidelines regarding COVID-19 health and safety protocols.