Annoyed with Telemarketers: Some Advice

Dear Blog Visitors:

Having been retired from my full-time position for two weeks, I can honestly say that I made the right choice. I find that I now have the freedom to pursue my passions/interests, and have even begun the process of interviewing for part-time jobs.

While I have been home the past couple weeks, I have noticed how often telemarketers and fundraisers call on the phone. It was annoying enough getting calls during the evening hours. However, the frequency of the calls during the day have been more than annoying, to the point of being downright obnoxious.

I was inspired to make the video posted above. What I tried to do was give viewers some basic advice on how to both screen and discourage telemarketers and fundraisers.

As explained in the video, I fully realize that telemarketers are trying to make an income and fundraisers are trying to solicit funds for worthy causes. However, to the person on the receiving end of the calls, especially when the frequency is unacceptable, the solicitations are enough to cause serious consideration of phone disconnections.

If you are fed up with the steady stream of telemarketing that interferes with your daily lives, there is an option provided by the Federal Government. It is the national 'do not call' registry. The on-line address is www.donotcall.gov and the phone number is 1-888-382-1222. You can register up to three phone numbers, inclusive of both cell and land lines.

I should state that non-profit organizations are exempt from the 'do not call' registry, so they will continue to call. My solution in this case is to simply let your answering machine screen the calls. When I do speak with someone from a non-profit organization, I generally try to be courteous and simply ask that solicitations be done by mail, whereas I can better screen organizations.

I hope my video provides some useful information for you. Please don't allow telemarketers to interrupt your lives.

Peace to all,
Ray

I Am a Retired Baby Boomer

Dear Blog Visitors:

It has been a while since I posted to my blog. This is because my final few weeks at City Hall were rather busy. Due to budget constraints, I was not replaced, which necessitated the spreading of my duties to several employees in the Accounting Bureau.

I am now an officialy retired baby boomer. If you have followed my blog, you are aware that from time-to-time, I articulated my frustrations over the constant race against the clock to push paperwork through in City Hall. I am therefore very pleased that City Hall will have a brand new electronic process in place as of
July 1, which will replace much of the cumbersome paperwork that has plagued employees for many years.

It was my intention to leave City Hall quietly on my last week. However, that didn't happen. I want to take this opportunity to thank those who were involved in hosting a surprise luncheon for me on May 4. While I was generally on top of everything that happened in my office over the years, I was indeed caught completely unaware of the catered lunch that was unfolding. I was especially surprised when my wife showed up for the luncheon. It turns out that she was in dialogue with one of my co-workers over the planning.

I sent thank-you notes out to those who made my last two days in City Hall memorable. Nevertheless, I also want to extend a special thank-you here to all City workers who helped me get through the mounds of paperwork I faced each day. It got tense at times, but I survived long enough to become a retired baby boomer.

I am very appreciative of the gifts and birthday cake that were part of my official send-off. The cake is pictured above, in addition to a couple more photos.

I am now ready to begin the next stage of my life. So, while my retirement represents an ending of sorts, it is also a new beginning, whereby I will have the opportunity to pursue my many hobbies and ministries, in addition to perhaps working at a part-time job.

Thanks again to my co-workers at Rochester's City Hall, who were part of my life for the past twenty-three years.

Peace to all,
Ray