Civic Development Group, LLC, Millennium Teleservices, CDG Management State Trooper Charity Scams Nationwide

I have to reply to this post because I keep seeing ones just like it.  I had the privilege of meeting  both owners, Dave and Scott.  I even worked there for a short period of time. Regarding their alleged mis reprepresentations, these men put serious systems in place to avoid false claims which included a huge team of employees that were paid to d nothing but sit and listen to tape recorded calls to ensure quality work. The problem was the mangers and sales reps that thought they could "slip by" with bogus claims. However, they still had plenty of honest callers and managers too. Any smart businessman knows that every large company has employees that lie, cheat and steal. Look for complaints on Wal Mart, McDonalds, and any others and it wont take but a few minutes to find a ton of complaints, both legit and not. Having worked there for three months I will honestly say these guys did what they could to keep their noses clean. I think they just got too big too fast and did not have the quality managers they needed to oversee all of the phone rooms. Regarding the 20%, my company resells services for major companies and we keep 80% of the revenue. Thats the cost to do business and no one  has a problem with it. Any less and I could not run the business. Fundraising is a business. NO ONE could run a telephone fundraiser if they had had to pay out even 30%. Can anyone run a business if they give up the first 30% and then still have to pay rent, employees, phone etc? Yes, they did millions of dollars and business but it required thousands of employees to call 7 days a week and lots rent for many buildings. So if your going to talk about CDG taking 20% then tell the whole story. Like how CDG probably earned a profit of 10% - 15% (somewhere in that neighborhood). For the thousands of former employees that worked there you all saw the scripts. They all identified you as a PROFESSIONAL PAID FUNDRAISER, your physical location and how to obtain a financial statement and in some case more details. If everyone read their scripts then company would not likely be where they are today.

I can understand peoples frustration with the percentages and I also understand why there were what they were.

Now to speak to the "project yourself as a police officer". Maybe you worked in an office that taught that, or maybe you were one of the guys doing it, but I spent time in several offices and I for one did NOT see any of that. As for no females, well if females did not convert sales for the FOP or other groups that high that why hire them? I dont hear you complaining that woman dont usually work as roofers, or plumbers. As for hiring people on markets where the were NO jobs and no income - are you really going to say that was a bad thing. Come on, be real here. Lastly, in every office I visited the manager usually was not a college graduate but in every case I saw tehy earned $500-$700.  This makes me question you, the writer, as to how honest you really are.

As a side, I have nothing to gain in this repy. I have not seen or heard from the owners in about three years. I am just fed up with disgrountled employees that file bogus complaints (or one that they themselves created) and leave out important facts.

My sympathies to CDG and all the good, honest, hard working employees that lost their job.

MC

This is a question for anyone who may know. It is my understanding that CDG closed in December of 2009. I was an employee of CDG until May of 2009. Does anyone know how we are supposed to obtain our W2s from them?

Yes both comments are correct, straight from a now unemployed employee, they went bankrupt and the NJ office in Edison at least is now closed, they gave them a three month warning and officially closed on Friday of last week.

They haven't settled anything with the FTC yet. Those fines are still yet to come and yes, the company is going bankrupt.  So both comments are correct.

millenium or cdg was not closed because it was bankrupt it was closed because of the ftc winning its courtcase against the company for misrep and scams get your facts together

The above comment is correct, as of today 12/4/09, the main office in NJ is closing when business hours are over. The company went bankrupt. 

for anyabody who does not know

CDG is done finished OUT OF BIZ

I am a current employee there too, and sad to say i agree with Ted. I've worked there for just over three months nd i've been allowed only to clock about 10 hours a week at 7.40 and hour. keep in mind now that i have a fiancee to support as well as a mortgage, a car, bills and medical expenses to pay. I took the job because I had no other option after being discharged from the Marine Corps and my own company wasn't providing enough income. I took the job based on the promise of 40 hours a week at 8 dollars an hour what i came to realize is you have to be one of the elite few there to even workk a full shift, you recieve no commission and unles you clock 24 hours a week (BTW i was scheduled for 27.5) you recieve no health or dental benefits. i was also told by a state institution that at that rate i qualified for unemployment benefits, however i needed to bring in my W-2 form. It's been almst a month since i requested to recieve my W-2 the firt time, i reuested it severa times since, only to be igored by the managers and supervisors. I'm not sure about the drug situation though, but I have noticed that the guy who seems to be the manger's favorite is also trying to get me to score weed from him.
As for the donations, I'm not sure of those either, They still have me selling national geographic mvies...(Not good ones either). But for a business that pays me less than i would make as a mexican busboy at a pizza shack, I would have to say that's pretty f**ked up. I say if you hire someone let them work.

Response to: More Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll

I have stayed quiet concerning Civic Development Group and had intended to until I read your response. If you are truly upper management corporate employee there is no way that you are not aware of these accounts. (I assume you are a regional, director, or VP) I personally filed numerous grievances with Human Resources contacting: Helen (who is no longer in her position), Katherine, Michelle, Chris, Jennifer, Brian, Jerrie, Margarita, David, Jawana, Wendy, Lizet, Walt, Nathan as well as directors, VP, CEO etc concerning the very issues you are stating are not true. In what department do you work? The reason I ask is if you aren't on the executive team then I would agree you wouldn't know. Now, as far as the facts, let me assure you, I witnessed many of these myself and called many times concerning the issues as described. One needs to look at your responses.

4. 'Drugs /Alcohol in call center:' Again, I've been in multiple offices and know others that have been in even more centers and not once have I seen or heard of such acts occurring. I'm sure there are plenty of people that use drugs and alcohol on their own time, just as I am sure there are plenty of senators, CEO'S, and presidents of national organizations that do the same. It doesn't mean it happens or is condoned at the work place and our organization is no exception. Managers / Supervisors have never condoned or pushed any illegal substance in our call centers and if they have they have been correctly termed as per our company's code of conduct policy.

Did you work in the offices as listed in the reports? I had the unfortunate privilege of working in one of these offices and can tell you drugs were common and sold like you sell a candy bar. The sad thing is Human Resources was made aware and even received evidence of these accounts yet chose to do nothing. In fact, they turned the other cheek and would, as stated by LIZETTE, Scott would state this is under investigation I do agree policy existed to stop this, however it was never enforced by anyone in any capacity in the call center I worked in. Regional managers, call center managers, or supervisors (who all sold drugs) were not terminated as per company code of conduct policy during my employment it is apparent to me it was condoned.

8: 'Management groped, fondled, and had sex with TSR's and admins on a daily basis. These acts ocurred in the cubicles during normal business hours. Women crawled under the cubicles and performed in order to keep their jobs or to pay for drugs.' Come on.....Sure people probably had relationships with others in the office. And, I'll even agree there may have been inappropriate fraternization ( which the company is 100% against) but things do occur. But this clearly reads that people were performing these acts 'in cubicles' during business hours on a DAILY basis. It's okay to state facts and things that happened, but to put this on here and believe that people would actually believe the above statement is true and no one did anything until one person decided to put it on ripoffreport.com is crap. The above doesn't happen in hardcore pornos and I am supposed to believe people are having sex in a cube next to someone taking calls? Or those girls are under cubes while people are calling everywhere???? NO WAY!!!!!! This statement carries extreme audacity and requires some serious proof beyond the 'I was there account.'

The very idea this occurred is hard to fathom however, it did and a huge investigation occurred from it. Now, every day, no, that did not happen, however it did occur, I witnessed along with CAM as well as many others in the office I worked in. We had several women to do this and it would occur when very few employees were in the call center(12:00 noon to about 4:30 pm). The manager/supervisor would take a girl to the back of the center close to the bathrooms to do this so very few would see, however several did and reported this to Human Resources. This was investigated and a lawsuit was filed due to this and as I have stated, if you work on the executive team then you are aware of it. You make another excellent point fraternization which the company is 100% against, a policy exists on this and you sign it when you are hired however, when the corporate heads do this how in the world can you expected the company to enforce it. Human Resources was contacted many times by me concerning this and yes it did happen. Employees would have sex in the computer room (dialer room), storage room, on the call floor, and no one would enforce the policy at the call center I worked in.

I have read your response to other issues that I am unable to comment on however, many have put facts on here. In fact, the Harrisonburg Virginia office had to be closed down for similar issues. Logan had many drug raids as did Bluefield. Now, all offices may not be bad however, the one I worked in was terrible and horrible things occurred. No one and I mean no one in corporate office cared to do anything about it during my employment with CDG. I would agree that the truth may be stretched in these accounts, yet the truth is there and I can attest to it. Human Resources, when I worked for CDG, was a worthless department that did nothing to protect the employee,(be it safety, harassment, or abuse) they were only interested in protecting CDG. So many good working employees were terminated wrongfully with FTC, or poor performance, or insubordination because they chose to stand up for the few or spoke with someone investigating drugs, sex etc (The termination would void any complaint or grievance they may have filed prior because according to Human Resources they have no integrity and that came from the top) These individuals posting their issues are telling the truth. I had issues when it came to workers compensation and was told that the employee had to be terminated when they were hurt, the cost of workers' compensation premiums will not go up. (this came directly for Human Resources staff not one but all listed) I witnessed documents being altered, documents disappearing, and people signing statements that they did not write or even read. The company would transfer employees and tell them this is a great area to live and you'll love it. In fact a top executive threaten an Administrator that if she didn't move she'd need to find another job.

I agree you must perform in order to keep a job, yet you should not be forced to work in the conditions that have been described and that I have personally witnessed. I no longer work for CDG and hope that things have changed. Ned, I think you are trying to see only the facts and appreciate you sorting through the bull, yet these things did occur and nothing was done. I enjoyed working for CDG at first until it was noticed that all this was going on and would hope someone has made the changes to stop these types of behaviors.

Ned, if you are upper management start asking questions and contacting the people I have listed above and you will see these things occurred in more than one call center. I doubt you have had the experiences as the few listed here however, being an educated individual I would expect you to understand, when changes are made abruptly then some truth must be in here. Look at the CCM that have been terminated as well as the sudden and abrupt changes in New Jersey and you will find not all is as it may seem. Visit the call centers listed on here and question someone that has been working for several years that has chosen to not be a Manager, be careful you could cost that person their job. I would enjoy much reading what you discover for I am certain your opinion will change. If it has changed let me know I may go back to work for them.

Response to: More Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll READ THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

I have stayed quiet concerning Civic Development Group and had intended to until I read your response. If you are truly upper management corporate employee there is no way that you are not aware of these accounts. (I assume you are a regional, director, or VP) I personally filed numerous grievances with Human Resources contacting: Helen (who is no longer in her position), Katherine, Michelle, Chris, Jennifer, Brian, Jerrie, Margarita, David, Jawana, Wendy, Lizet, Walt, Nathan as well as directors, VP, CEO etc concerning the very issues you are stating are not true. In what department do you work? The reason I ask is if you aren't on the executive team then I would agree you wouldn't know. Now, as far as the facts, let me assure you, I witnessed many of these myself and called many times concerning the issues as described. One needs to look at your responses.

4. 'Drugs /Alcohol in call center:' Again, I've been in multiple offices and know others that have been in even more centers and not once have I seen or heard of such acts occurring. I'm sure there are plenty of people that use drugs and alcohol on their own time, just as I am sure there are plenty of senators, CEO'S, and presidents of national organizations that do the same. It doesn't mean it happens or is condoned at the work place and our organization is no exception. Managers / Supervisors have never condoned or pushed any illegal substance in our call centers and if they have they have been correctly termed as per our company's code of conduct policy. Did you work in the offices as listed in the reports? I had the unfortunate privilege of working in one of these offices and can tell you drugs were common and sold like you sell a candy bar. The sad thing is Human Resources was made aware and even received evidence of these accounts yet chose to do nothing. In fact, they turned the other cheek and would, as stated by LIZETTE, Scott would state this is under investigation I do agree policy existed to stop this, however it was never enforced by anyone in any capacity in the call center I worked in. Regional managers, call center managers, or supervisors (who all sold drugs) were not terminated as per company code of conduct policy during my employment it is apparent to me it was condoned.

8: 'Management groped, fondled, and had sex with TSR's and admins on a daily basis. These acts ocurred in the cubicles during normal business hours. Women crawled under the cubicles and performed in order to keep their jobs or to pay for drugs.' Come on.....Sure people probably had relationships with others in the office. And, I'll even agree there may have been inappropriate fraternization ( which the company is 100% against) but things do occur. But this clearly reads that people were performing these acts 'in cubicles' during business hours on a DAILY basis. It's okay to state facts and things that happened, but to put this on here and believe that people would actually believe the above statement is true and no one did anything until one person decided to put it on ripoffreport.com is crap. The above doesn't happen in hardcore pornos and I am supposed to believe people are having sex in a cube next to someone taking calls? Or those girls are under cubes while people are calling everywhere???? NO WAY!!!!!! This statement carries extreme audacity and requires some serious proof beyond the 'I was there account.' The very idea this occurred is hard to fathom however, it did and a huge investigation occurred from it. Now, every day, no, that did not happen, however it did occur, I witnessed along with CAM as well as many others in the office I worked in. We had several women to do this and it would occur when very few employees were in the call center(12:00 noon to about 4:30 pm). The manager/supervisor would take a girl to the back of the center close to the bathrooms to do this so very few would see, however several did and reported this to Human Resources. This was investigated and a lawsuit was filed due to this and as I have stated, if you work on the executive team then you are aware of it. You make another excellent point fraternization which the company is 100% against, a policy exists on this and you sign it when you are hired however, when the corporate heads do this how in the world can you expected the company to enforce it. Human Resources was contacted many times by me concerning this and yes it did happen. Employees would have sex in the computer room (dialer room), storage room, on the call floor, and no one would enforce the policy at the call center I worked in.

I have read your response to other issues that I am unable to comment on however, many have put facts on here. In fact, the Harrisonburg Virginia office had to be closed down for similar issues. Logan had many drug raids as did Bluefield. Now, all offices may not be bad however, the one I worked in was terrible and horrible things occurred. No one and I mean no one in corporate office cared to do anything about it during my employment with CDG. I would agree that the truth may be stretched in these accounts, yet the truth is there and I can attest to it. Human Resources, when I worked for CDG, was a worthless department that did nothing to protect the employee,(be it safety, harassment, or abuse) they were only interested in protecting CDG. So many good working employees were terminated wrongfully with FTC, or poor performance, or insubordination because they chose to stand up for the few or spoke with someone investigating drugs, sex etc (The termination would void any complaint or grievance they may have filed prior because according to Human Resources they have no integrity and that came from the top) These individuals posting their issues are telling the truth. I had issues when it came to workers compensation and was told that the employee had to be terminated when they were hurt, the cost of workers' compensation premiums will not go up. (this came directly for Human Resources staff not one but all listed) I witnessed documents being altered, documents disappearing, and people signing statements that they did not write or even read. The company would transfer employees and tell them this is a great area to live and you'll love it. In fact a top executive threaten an Administrator that if she didn't move she'd need to find another job.

I agree you must perform in order to keep a job, yet you should not be forced to work in the conditions that have been described and that I have personally witnessed. I no longer work for CDG and hope that things have changed. Ned, I think you are trying to see only the facts and appreciate you sorting through the bull, yet these things did occur and nothing was done. I enjoyed working for CDG at first until it was noticed that all this was going on and would hope someone has made the changes to stop these types of behaviors.

Ned, if you are upper management start asking questions and contacting the people I have listed above and you will see these things occurred in more than one call center. I doubt you have had the experiences as the few listed here however, being an educated individual I would expect you to understand, when changes are made abruptly then some truth must be in here. Look at the CCM that have been terminated as well as the sudden and abrupt changes in New Jersey and you will find not all is as it may seem. Visit the call centers listed on here and question someone that has been working for several years that has chosen to not be a Manager, be careful you could cost that person their job. I would enjoy much reading what you discover for I am certain your opinion will change. If it has changed let me know I may go back to work for them.

All the stories I read on here about CDG / MTS are great. I mean these stories have everything, drugs, sex, scandal, corruption, lies, drama, and action. To bad it's mostly fiction! I am a current employee of the organization and have been such for 10 years in a higher ranking management position so I have sufficient experience and knowledge on the true daily operations of the company and can speak truthfully about them. I have been to several offices over several states, worked with 100's of mangers and 1000's of employees and know unequivocally beyond a shadow of a doubt most people's accusations of this company are false.

I would like to address some of these allications

So let's get started...

1: "Telling people to sound like police offers: Not hardly; Never has any one manager or person of authority told any person to ever speak like or try to sound like a police officer." It's true we teach people to be able to speak clearly and confidently, but this is a general public speaking technique taught to all persons in various fields and only makes sense if you think about it. People that are articulate and confident about what they are saying are often times the people you listen to. Likewise if someone is mumbling, doesn't sound very confident, and is not very knowledgeable about their product would you listen to them? No, you wouldn't and the same concept applies.

2: "Civic specifically targets small, down-on-their-luck communities to build facilities" I can't believe I am about to defend this dumb statement, but here it goes... What does this statement even mean? It sounds like the company is prowling on ignorant, desperate people to test new cancer drugs on, then hide the fact that their 'curing' drugs are actually making people sicker. First, this statement is false - If people did their due diligence they would know we operate call centers in numerous high profile cities across the country. Secondly, we do or have in the past had call centers in towns that someone may deem 'down-on-their luck' but lets look at the facts of this. A) If people don't have jobs they have two choices; 1) live under a bridge or 2) live off welfare. So we offer people high paying, decent jobs, that require no prior training, education, or sales experience. We come into these towns and offer 100 jobs to people that may otherwise not have any type of employment and allow them to earn a decent wage. They can earn 10, 11, 12 dollars an hour to sit in a comfortable environment and earn a living for their families. WOW! Now that I read that everyone else is right, we are terrible people and I should be ashamed of myself for being employed with a company that gives people that otherwise might not have an opportunity to have a good job one. I should walk in tomorrow and quit!!!! Give me a freaking break!

3: "Like I said previously, they pick the most desperate people to employ so they will do whatever upper management would like them to do, and that is how it works." This is sorta of ironic because I am one of those 'upper management' people and I have worked my way up from the phones to where I am currently at. I, nor are the people I work with desperate, uneducated, or any other negative adjective one can conger up. I am highly educated with a bachelors' degree and I can say we work very hard to find the best qualified, educated people to work in our call centers. But, let's be honest with each other; call center jobs across the county, regardless of the actual work, are not filled with people with bachelors and masters degrees it's just the way it is. Also, we always welcome new ideas and opinions from all of our employees to keep an open line of communication.

4:"Drugs /Alcohol in call center:" Again, I've been in multiple offices and know others that have been in even more centers and not once have I seen or heard of such acts occurring. I'm sure their are plenty of people that use drugs and alcohol on their own time, just as I am sure their are plenty of senators,CEO'S, and presidents of national organizations that do the same. It doesn't mean it happens or is condoned at the work place and our organization is no exception. Managers / Supervisors have never condoned or pushed any illegal substance in our call centers and if they have they have been correctly termed as per our company's code of conduct policy.

5: "CDG are the biggest scumbags on the planet." To sit and say this as a general statement is ignorant and clearly places the person behind these comments in the scumbag category themselves. Real scumbags are the CEO'S that are sitting in their ivory towers that are using the public's money to issue bonus' so they can buy new private jets. These people my friends are the real scumbags, not us.

6: "They even went so far as to have the unofficial policy of having no females doing the fundraising solicitations." I don't know how to defend this statement other then a simple...Not true! EVERY single office has females and males alike working in them. We have never had any policy, agreement, standing order, unspoken rule, procedure, or any other form of not hiring one sex over the other. We have real policies and procedures in place that strictly define the necessary skills needed to perform a job in one of our centers and a person's gender is not one of them. This is no different then the grocery store up the street having certain minimum skills sets required in order to be a cashier. Such as a proficient ability to count or general people skills. In fact now that I think about it I only saw females running registers and all the men bagging groceries at the store....Looks like they must have an unofficial policy there. P.S I read other accounts on here about female managers and how female mangers moved up and etc...hard to have a female move up if they are not hired....

7: "The supervisors typically work 50 to 60+ hours a week for approximately the same pay. Speaking of supervisors, they frequently shuffle them from town to town to keep them dependent on the company. Moving to Logan, West Virginia to be a manager sounds 'great,' until they get there and realize there are no more opportunities there than where they left. Having no other employment opportunities in a new town, they are stuck." 90% of managers and excexutives in all industires work over 40 hours a week; especially nowadays where people are being asked to do more for the same pay to help keep companies afloat and it has nothing to do with our company. Next, it's not like we promote somoeone then all of a sudden make them work 100 hours a week and start paying them made up wages. Prior to anyone moving up they know what their obligations would be. Then, how is it the companies fault beucase someone said they would move to Logan then when they arrived realized Logan wasn't up to what they thought it was going to be? They then lose their job or quit for whatever reason and the town doesn't have any opportunities and it's all of a sudden the companies fault? This makes no sense. If I am an employee and a compnay ask me to move somewhere it's my responsibility to do my due dilagence. They shouldnt be responsible to provide me with statistics of where the town might be in 5 years, the employment opportunities in the area, etc. Come on now your just turning every situation bad and acting like it's CDG'S fault. Next someone is going to say it's our fault that the malten lava in a volcano 1000 miles away erupted onto the town becuase we have an unofficial policy that states we make lava run through streets twice a year.


8: "Management groped, fondeled, and had sex with TSR's and admins on a daily basis. These acts ocurred in the cubicles during normal business hours. Women crawled under the cubicles and performed in order to keep their jobs or to pay for drugs." Come on.....Sure people probabley had relationships with others in the office. And, I'll even agree there may have been inappropriate fratitnization ( which the company is 100% against) but things do occur. But this clearly reads that people were performing these acts 'in cubicles' during businesss hours on a DAILY basis. It's okay to state facts and things that happened, but to put this on here and believe that people would actually bevelie the above statement is true and no one did anything until one person decided to put it on ripoffreport.com is crap. The above doesnt happen in hardcore pornos and I am supposed to bevleive people are having sex in a cube next to someone taking calls? Or that girls are under cubes while people are calling everywhere???? NO WAY!!!!!! This statement carries extreame aldacity and requires some serious proof beyond the 'I was there account.'


Hopefully I have addressed the issues that seem to be getting the most attention, but if I have not please feel free to reply and let me know and I will do my best to do so.


After reading most if not all of these claims on this site I have come to one simple conclusion: It's time to stop already! I am sure a few of these claims started out with bits of truth at some point somewhere, but to take them to the point of where they are now and blanket them as the way the company operates is foolish. I read statments on here like 'all they care aboout is the almight sale.' Comments like that are foolish;. Let's say you work at McDonalds and your in charge of the fries. If you go downstairs in the stockroom and dont' make the fries...how long are you going to be employeed there?

The company has always been great to me and has always made every effort to accommodate me whenever necessary. They have given me numerous opportunities and provided me with real life experience, on the job training, and knowledge that no book will ever be able to teach me.

I will always be grateful for every experience that this company has given me and am thankful to all the people that I am privilege to work with and for everyday.

All the stories I read on here about CDG / MTS are great. I mean these stories have everything, drugs, sex, scandal, corruption, lies, drama, and action. To bad it's mostly fiction! I am a current employee of the organization and have been such for 10 years in a higher ranking management position so I have sufficient experience and knowledge on the true daily operations of the company and can speak truthfully about them. I have been to several offices over several states, worked with 100's of mangers and 1000's of employees and know unequivocally beyond a shadow of a doubt most people's accusations of this company are false.

I would like to address some of these allications

So let's get started...

1: "Telling people to sound like police offers: Not hardly; Never has any one manager or person of authority told any person to ever speak like or try to sound like a police officer." It's true we teach people to be able to speak clearly and confidently, but this is a general public speaking technique taught to all persons in various fields and only makes sense if you think about it. People that are articulate and confident about what they are saying are often times the people you listen to. Likewise if someone is mumbling, doesn't sound very confident, and is not very knowledgeable about their product would you listen to them? No, you wouldn't and the same concept applies.

2: "Civic specifically targets small, down-on-their-luck communities to build facilities" I can't believe I am about to defend this dumb statement, but here it goes... What does this statement even mean? It sounds like the company is prowling on ignorant, desperate people to test new cancer drugs on, then hide the fact that their 'curing' drugs are actually making people sicker. First, this statement is false - If people did their due diligence they would know we operate call centers in numerous high profile cities across the country. Secondly, we do or have in the past had call centers in towns that someone may deem 'down-on-their luck' but lets look at the facts of this. A) If people don't have jobs they have two choices; 1) live under a bridge or 2) live off welfare. So we offer people high paying, decent jobs, that require no prior training, education, or sales experience. We come into these towns and offer 100 jobs to people that may otherwise not have any type of employment and allow them to earn a decent wage. They can earn 10, 11, 12 dollars an hour to sit in a comfortable environment and earn a living for their families. WOW! Now that I read that everyone else is right, we are terrible people and I should be ashamed of myself for being employed with a company that gives people that otherwise might not have an opportunity to have a good job one. I should walk in tomorrow and quit!!!! Give me a freaking break!

3: "Like I said previously, they pick the most desperate people to employ so they will do whatever upper management would like them to do, and that is how it works." This is sorta of ironic because I am one of those 'upper management' people and I have worked my way up from the phones to where I am currently at. I, nor are the people I work with desperate, uneducated, or any other negative adjective one can conger up. I am highly educated with a bachelors' degree and I can say we work very hard to find the best qualified, educated people to work in our call centers. But, let's be honest with each other; call center jobs across the county, regardless of the actual work, are not filled with people with bachelors and masters degrees it's just the way it is. Also, we always welcome new ideas and opinions from all of our employees to keep an open line of communication.

4:"Drugs /Alcohol in call center:" Again, I've been in multiple offices and know others that have been in even more centers and not once have I seen or heard of such acts occurring. I'm sure their are plenty of people that use drugs and alcohol on their own time, just as I am sure their are plenty of senators,CEO'S, and presidents of national organizations that do the same. It doesn't mean it happens or is condoned at the work place and our organization is no exception. Managers / Supervisors have never condoned or pushed any illegal substance in our call centers and if they have they have been correctly termed as per our company's code of conduct policy.

5: "CDG are the biggest scumbags on the planet." To sit and say this as a general statement is ignorant and clearly places the person behind these comments in the scumbag category themselves. Real scumbags are the CEO'S that are sitting in their ivory towers that are using the public's money to issue bonus' so they can buy new private jets. These people my friends are the real scumbags, not us.

6: "They even went so far as to have the unofficial policy of having no females doing the fundraising solicitations." I don't know how to defend this statement other then a simple...Not true! EVERY single office has females and males alike working in them. We have never had any policy, agreement, standing order, unspoken rule, procedure, or any other form of not hiring one sex over the other. We have real policies and procedures in place that strictly define the necessary skills needed to perform a job in one of our centers and a person's gender is not one of them. This is no different then the grocery store up the street having certain minimum skills sets required in order to be a cashier. Such as a proficient ability to count or general people skills. In fact now that I think about it I only saw females running registers and all the men bagging groceries at the store....Looks like they must have an unofficial policy there. P.S I read other accounts on here about female managers and how female mangers moved up and etc...hard to have a female move up if they are not hired....

7: "The supervisors typically work 50 to 60+ hours a week for approximately the same pay. Speaking of supervisors, they frequently shuffle them from town to town to keep them dependent on the company. Moving to Logan, West Virginia to be a manager sounds 'great,' until they get there and realize there are no more opportunities there than where they left. Having no other employment opportunities in a new town, they are stuck." 90% of managers and excexutives in all industires work over 40 hours a week; especially nowadays where people are being asked to do more for the same pay to help keep companies afloat and it has nothing to do with our company. Next, it's not like we promote somoeone then all of a sudden make them work 100 hours a week and start paying them made up wages. Prior to anyone moving up they know what their obligations would be. Then, how is it the companies fault beucase someone said they would move to Logan then when they arrived realized Logan wasn't up to what they thought it was going to be? They then lose their job or quit for whatever reason and the town doesn't have any opportunities and it's all of a sudden the companies fault? This makes no sense. If I am an employee and a compnay ask me to move somewhere it's my responsibility to do my due dilagence. They shouldnt be responsible to provide me with statistics of where the town might be in 5 years, the employment opportunities in the area, etc. Come on now your just turning every situation bad and acting like it's CDG'S fault. Next someone is going to say it's our fault that the malten lava in a volcano 1000 miles away erupted onto the town becuase we have an unofficial policy that states we make lava run through streets twice a year.


8: "Management groped, fondeled, and had sex with TSR's and admins on a daily basis. These acts ocurred in the cubicles during normal business hours. Women crawled under the cubicles and performed in order to keep their jobs or to pay for drugs." Come on.....Sure people probabley had relationships with others in the office. And, I'll even agree there may have been inappropriate fratitnization ( which the company is 100% against) but things do occur. But this clearly reads that people were performing these acts 'in cubicles' during businesss hours on a DAILY basis. It's okay to state facts and things that happened, but to put this on here and believe that people would actually bevelie the above statement is true and no one did anything until one person decided to put it on ripoffreport.com is crap. The above doesnt happen in hardcore pornos and I am supposed to bevleive people are having sex in a cube next to someone taking calls? Or that girls are under cubes while people are calling everywhere???? NO WAY!!!!!! This statement carries extreame aldacity and requires some serious proof beyond the 'I was there account.'


Hopefully I have addressed the issues that seem to be getting the most attention, but if I have not please feel free to reply and let me know and I will do my best to do so.


After reading most if not all of these claims on this site I have come to one simple conclusion: It's time to stop already! I am sure a few of these claims started out with bits of truth at some point somewhere, but to take them to the point of where they are now and blanket them as the way the company operates is foolish. I read statments on here like 'all they care aboout is the almight sale.' Comments like that are foolish;. Let's say you work at McDonalds and your in charge of the fries. If you go downstairs in the stockroom and dont' make the fries...how long are you going to be employeed there?

The company has always been great to me and has always made every effort to accommodate me whenever necessary. They have given me numerous opportunities and provided me with real life experience, on the job training, and knowledge that no book will ever be able to teach me.

I will always be grateful for every experience that this company has given me and am thankful to all the people that I am privilege to work with and for everyday.

If CDG was indeed the stellar company that some of the people have claimed, then why o why has the FOP dropped them and decided that they didn't want to do business with them anymore? It really doesn't matter though. These people will find a way to keep trying to collect your money. But from what I understand, the office that I used to work at has moved to a shoddy little area into a building that is in desperate need of repair. Guess everyone is starting to get a little tired of the "Spring, summer, fall, winter fund drive." I'm glad I don't work there anymore. They really don't care for women too much. Yes, you will see women working there if you go, but ask them for how long they have worked there. You will find maybe three women who have managed to work there for awhile. The rest will tell you they haven't been there long. And they won't be either. If you are a woman, and you aren't a suck-up to management, then you won't be employed there very long at all. 30 days, maybe 60 tops. What employees they do keep are subjected to daily speeches on how you really are expendible and they can find anyone to take your place, so they tell you take the abuse and like it. And get those numbers up. Why get the numbers up? So the people in charge of the place can pay for their nice house while you get put through the wringer, trying to break your neck to get people to send a donation. If you enjoy constant verbal abuse, from not only your managers, but also the people you call, and you want to bug the same people every three weeks for a donation, then this is the job for you!

Mr. Keezer --- a likely ex digruntled employee who is impersonating an owner of CDG for no other reason than hiding their true identity or to hurt Mr/ Keezer - a complete stranger you know nothing about.

Anyone who knows anything knows ALLEGATIONS are NOT FACT nor TRUTH. The last I checked you are innocent until proven guilty in this country. As I understand things, there has yet to be a final verdict on the allegations made by the FTC.

CDG signed a consent order and went above and beyond the requirements agreed to in the consent order, including recording every phone call. Why do that is you intent to ignore your order?

Anyone who knows anything about business knows that every large company is subject to litigation in their life cycles and anyone who has a clue knows that companies (usually the biggest companies in the world) have lawyers who guide them and who measure risk and reward. When the cost of litigation - even if that litgation will prove no wrongdoing - outweighs the cost to settle, you settle. This is why we are a litigious society and why lawyers and regulators make a fortune by suing companies of all indistries. CDG is no exception. If CDG were ignoring regulatoty requirements then they would ignore contract filings and script disclosures completely, which they do not.

Didn't the cigarette companies get dragged thru litigation over and over again despite their complying with the surgeon general disclosure requirements yet they are still among the biggest business in the world? - and some would say they kill people.

I understand Civic has in place today every control, policy and procedure they put in place as a result of the 1998 consent order and to this day follows that to the letter. I know this because my client friends get call recordings and have free access to the call center at will to listen to calls and speak to employees. They have also visited the corporate office of CDG often.

I also understand that anything CDG learned that the FTC didn't like they attempted to change or adjust if their clients consented,

I don't know. I guess the people I know are not bad people nor people who lack integrity. Everyone makes mistakes, including you Mr. bogus Mr Keezer, but that doesn't make everything anyone alleges the truth and fact.

I know an officer killed in the line of duty and I know what my friends association did for the family of that slain officer. And, I know those funds came from what CDG did for them.

There are three sides to every story ------- yours, mine and the triuth --- maybe we should all keep that in mind because while you are bashing CDG you are bashing every person simply trying to make a living and feed their kids who work for CDG. Bogus Mr. Keezer, I beleive you have more humaity in you than to hurt those people.....

Why don't we all just wait and see where the chips fall.

First Two Points;
I think it is great that CDG employs people.
I think it is great that CDG's efforts allows law and fire organizations to fund their programs.

Moving on;
Madison states that the FTC case from 98 resulted in no finding of wrong-doing and no fines. OK, this is true, however in this case the FTC issued a 20 year cease and desist order against CDG do prevent them from conducting business in a way that the government felt was harmful to consumers (http://www.ftc.gov/os/1998/03/9723025.agr.htm). It was also ordered that Madison's friends who run the company had to notify the FTC by certified mail if they discontinued employment with CDG, and if so, where they went to work next (address, telephone number, description and nature of new business) for a period of 10 years!

To imply that there was no wrong doing is prima facie misrepresentation. The facts are that CDG was paying settlements when accused for misrep back in 1998 (http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?&id=5082) and they continue to so today (http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/02/21/TROOPERS.ART_ART_02-21-09_B1_KUD05O1.html?sid=101). Just because they weren't fined in a case or their settlement terms allow them to admit to no wrong doing does not negate the fact that they routinely get sued by state attorney generals with accusations of deceptive business practices year after year after year. I suppose it is possible that they are just being picked on

Madison states that the FTC case was 11 years ago, and then gives results, as if the case was closed. In fact, the 2007 complaint that the FTC filed on behalf of the Department of Justice charges CDG of violating the 1998 Order (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/09/njfundraiser.shtm).

It is their statements, based on review of CDG's contracts and scripts, that CDG is in violation of the 1998 order as well as multiple violations of the Telemarketing Sales Rule with 7 counts of violations in all.

They also state;

Consumers throughout the United States have suffered and continue to suffer substantial monetary loss as a result of defendants' unlawful acts or practices. In addition, defendants have been unjustly enriched as a result of their unlawful practices. Absent injunctive relief by this Court, defendants are likely to continue to injure consumers, reap unjust enrichment, and harm the public interest (http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/c3810/070921cmpc3810.pdf).

To be clear, I am not an employee of CDG nor have I ever been an employee. However, I am close to clients who have worked with the company and its owners for many years, maybe that makes me someone with inside knowledge.

The FTC lawsuit is full of allegations NONE of which have been proven to be factual. You can believe the drama in the allegations or you can sit tight and wait for the outcome of the case. The FTC matter from 1998 - yes, 11 years ago, resulted in no finding of wrong-doing and no fines.

If you knew anything about corporations you would know that the owners in a LLC are not employees and do not receive a paycheck. So, there is no payroll as part of expenses to the owners. It is 1000% fact that the owners haven't been paid a dime in three years and they put a good portion of their life savings back into the company in 2006 to keep it going. If I were them I probably would have let the company go bankrupt. If there is no profit there is no pay to the owners. My contacts tell me CDG's auditors can attest to this fact.

People like many of you on this blog prefer to just hate or be negative. My contacts guess most of you are simply disgruntled employees who do not have the capacity or willingness to understand reality. I guess when and if they go bankrupt you will all be very happy - except for those who rely on CDG to provide a steady income for you and your families.

Oh well, what's several thousand more jobs lost in this horrific econcomy anyway? A wise person once said to ignore the nah sayers, they are probably right. That about sums it up.

CDG is in the middle of a pretty ugly case with the FTC. Websites like these were named in the hearings as proof that there has been an injury to the public at large. CDG has told their employees post response and write letters so the FTC thinks that they aren't so bad'. Madison's response appeared shortly after that directive was handed down.

Let's look at Madison's points. As to not be ignorant, I will try to stick to facts that can be verified through published government sources.

S/he claims that out of the 85% that CDG takes from the donations, only 4-5% is profit and the rest goes to paying costs. If this were true, CDG could just be accused of being really bad business people. The fact is that CDG profits off of the costs. Some of the way the FTC discovered that they doing this; include

1) Subleasing to the Charities that they do business with - They set centers up for the charity to operate out of. They lease the building from the owner and then lease it out to the charity at a higher rate. Sometimes this rate is significantly above market value. The money raised goes to the cost of doing business, including rent, which CDG gets a chunk of. Sneaky.

2) Keep it in the family CDG arranges for Financial Processing Services' to process donations for the charities. FPS happens to be run by the mother of the principal officer and director of CDG. Again, hiring a company to process payments costs money. That money comes from the donations. Sneaky.

Check out http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/c3810/070921cmpc3810.pdf to find these and other nuggets.

Madison claims that CDG hasn't made a single dime in years. This is just silly. When required by certain states to report assets and costs, they often file that they were unable to charge their consulting fees due to the high cost of the fund-drive, but remember that a big chunk of those costs are going into their pockets. Besides, how on earth would one the officers of the company buy a 7+ million dollar home in Florida if his company wasn't making any money? No matter what the company is reporting on the bottom line, the families that run it are making a nice chunk of change. Payroll is a cost of doing business, so if your company made $100 today and you paid yourself $110 to run it, the company is $10 in debt. You are likely doing OK.

Madison claims that CDG saves small towns by providing employment. In preparation for the potential MASSIVE FTC fine, CDG started streamlining operations last year to fill the coffers. This included shutting down about half of their offices on short notice, many in small town.

Madison mentions speaking to female callers as an attempt to counter the claims of sexism. The EEOC is working a case against CDG as we speak, specifically for not hiring women. They have found grounds to push the case and investigate further than just the original claims out of Maryland where they are seeking damages including front and back pay for wronged applicants.

I agree with Madison that organizations benefit from the money and do good things with it. But to use this to defend the points others are making about deceptive and illegal business practices falls flat. To claim that people are just ignorant for believing bad' things about a good' company like CDG because they help charities ignores the fact that they have been found guilty of violating the law when it comes to the way they conduct business.

Here's a good example to sum this up; CDG raises money for the Disabled Veterans Assoc. Here is the 2007 break down CDG reported in a report for the state of Washington (http://www.secstate.wa.gov);

$203,034 in contributions reported.
$96,919 went to pay fundraising expenses (re-read above to see how CDG pays itself from these expenses)
$89,041 went to pay CDG's Management Consulting Fees
Net gain for the DVA = $17,074.

This seems to be true in the rest of the nation as well. As reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the DVA raised over $9,494,736 in 2007 and spent only $216,848 on their programs. $9,038,717 went to expenses. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/03/whatever_happened_to.html

There is no doubt that the DVA found some good use for the $216,848 but that is really not the point these complaints are making. The ignorance lies with the people who believe that the money that they are giving is going to charity when they vast majority is not.

Madison, many of the statements made in these complaints are not just the opinions of those people posting, they are facts as found by federal investigating bodies. They are violations of the law that CDG is literally going to have to pay for. Go read the Civil Penalties section of the FTC document for more on this. Madison and other CDG employees need to be aware for what their company has done. CDG just cut your pay. Where did that money go?

Of course there are costs of doing business. However, those costs are not as great as you let on. Postage and handling? Seriously. Also, have you seen the computers CDG callers use? They look like Commodore 64s. They're prehistoric. CDG has been using those old things since the mid-90s. Anyways, my overall point is there needs to be more truth and less deception in fundraising. CDG is known for aggressive techniques that prey on donors' goodwill. They use seasonal deception to trick donors into giving just "one time a year" to the fall fund drive. Then, they call you back in the winter wanting just "one donation a year" to help the winter fund drive, and so on. Furthermore, they cross tap donors, putting them on multiple lists for similar sounding organizations that have nothing to do with each other. All the while, CDG keeps 85% of each and every one of those donations. It's true; CDG does have to pay rent, bills, and employees, but obviously a great deal is profit if Dave Keezer can afford a 7.35 million dollar mansion in Boca Raton, FL. CDG and their clients are out to raise the most money at any cost, regardless of ethical considerations. This fundraising style is greedy and inconsiderate to the donor and unfair to ethical charities. If donors' knew how much money had to be spent on overheard before one dollar ever helps anyone, they would look for other ways to give. Most people only have so much available in their charitable budgets and they want every dollar they give to be spent wisely.

I was a little ahead of myself in my last post, but let me clarify. The example above is based on a ten dollar donation. Many of CDG pitches claim that money raised goes to families of officers killed in line of duty. Almost everyone, regardless of political leanings, would like to help families of slain officers. Donors give with this in mind. However, the overwhelming majority of those who give have no idea that only 15% of their donation will go to the FOP. Even fewer donors know that less than a fourth of that 15% will actually reach a family of a slain officer. That is less than 38 cents of their ten dollar donation. The FOP uses much more on conferences and lobbying for law and order legislation. If you know this already and you still want to give, then by all means, give. My only problem with the racket is that most donors have no idea what is going on. If a law is passed requiring professional fundraisers like CDG to disclose the percentage breakdown before asking for a donation, then I will shut up forever. Until then, I'm going to keep blowing my whistle. Would that be ok with you Madison? Can we require CDG to tell callers the truth before asking for a donation? Or is deception just a necessary evil for you?


Sincerely,

John Paul Schaffer
(that idiot from WV who trys to sound intelligent)

Ok, to show that this is a fixed rebutal they posted, what common person that is donating knows whether or not they are a "tap"!!!!! All they know is that have donated whether it was once or multiple times. What I mean by fixed is that someone in corporate has posted this FAKE response about all the blah, blah, blah how great Civic is and how much they've help small towns and continue to help! Let's face it, Ted is 100% correct in all his postings, right down to the 7.3 million dollar home that Dave Keezer and his wife (it's only in her name) purchased in 2006. If times were so hard, how could one purchase a home with that price tag??? And still pay a mortgage on a 3.4 million dollar home still sitting in NJ by the ocean! So, everything that Ted has stated is correct and EVERYTHING that "Madison" has posted in fixed, so you can choose to believe "Madison" because times are tough and the company needs some positive feedback or you can believe Ted who has been there first hand. I personally don't know Ted, but I think Ted has it right. I worked there and I know first hand myself what went on and it was the same things Ted was talking about.

That post from "Madison" was probably the funniest thing I've read in a long time!! Thanks for the laughter "Madison"!!!!!! :)

I am a long term donor....

It is crazy how the employees of Civic and even consumers like to claim that Civic is the big bad company taking 85% of the charities money. Just read the blog from that WV character who tries to sound intelligent but is really clueless and ignorant. Is everyone that ignorant?

Any intelligent person would realize that there are costs that Civic has to pay and after those costs are paid it is probably nowehere near 85% of the money. Is it a crime to make 4 or 5% profit when the charities are making 15 -20% free and clear?
Oh and yes, the charities are still making their money and Civic hasn't made a single dime in years according to my FOP friends - but they are the big bad company!!!!

These accusations are laughable:
Even the most disgruntled employee calls themselves an employee which means they are getting paid and maybe even getting benefits. Did you ever wonder if Civic pays a telephone bill for all those calls it makes? Do you think the chairs you sit on and the computers you use didn't cost paid by the company; how about that digital recording technology they use to record all of their calls? DO they get to use offices and not pay rent and utilities? Do you honestly think this is all for free? I'm a tap and I get those pledge kits in the mail all the time. Do you think paper, printing, and postage is free? The claim Civic takes most of the money is stupid and IGNORANT and those of you who say this don't know the first thing about running a business nor common sense to know everything cost money. Even the media doesn't understand this because telling the truth doesn't sell newspapers.

Did you ever wonder why charities have to use companies like Civic? Public Safety organizations are underfunded by state and local governements (I know because I have worked with these groups) and need to rely on the publics generosity to make up the shortages to fund the programs that support their members - you know, the people like police and firefighters who put themselves in harms way everyday to protect you - even the disgruntled lying employees. Maybe you should visit the actual charities website and see all they do - assited by the monies Civic raises for them.

To those of you who think Civic preys on small towns - you are clueless. Civic saved small towns by providing employment where there otherwise would have been none. They have helped small towns survive. My FOP friends told me first hand how Civic saved many West Virginia and Kentucky small towns and still play a major part in those local economies thanks to the jobs they provide.

I was once a hater of telemarketers and fundraisers until I experienced first hand the good these organizations serve. There is no other means to raise money on a large scale than telemarketing and the charities know this. The good these charities do would not be possible without a company like Civic. I could not imagine how hard it is to be a telemarketer and having people be rude to you all the time and hang up on you. These people are just trying to make a living.

I am proud to be a donor and will be for some time to come. I know from my FOP friends how valuable Civic's services are. And by the way, I talked to female callers a lot over the years and they were great so I have no idea what you all are talking about.

Ignorance may be bliss but these negative posts show ignorance is blind.

And oh, the charities need the public's supoprt more than ever as their budgets are cut further during these horrible economic times and you may find many people grateful that companies like Civic exist, especially as unemployment continues to rise. But then again, to all you naysayers, I am just a donor who takes PRIDE in being a donor.

Civic - keep the calls coming!!!!! Don't let these ignorant people beat you down.

First and foremost I personally have not always had to best experiences with CDG Management LLC, that is why I am no longer with the company however to sit and badger them like this and make false accusations is totally wrong. I was with that company for 6 years starting out as telephone sales rep and working my way up into upper management and was in 4 different offices for the company. Ted happens to say that you must be let go from one entity to be hired on by the other which is totally not true. In all of the offices that I have worked in, you could actually work under Millennium Teleservices or Civic Development Group if you had been cross trained to do both. They prefer that you only do one or the other however it is not always set that way. As far as having only males do fundraising, that is not true either because in all offices that I have been in that had fundraising and millennium, there were several, several female employees. In two of the four offices I was in, they even had female supervisors and managers who were over fundraisingNow does that sound like discrimination to you? The Parsons Call center was nothing but fundraising for many years and at least 40-50 percent of their employees were female. The reason why fundraising paid more, obviously, is because that is where the company made most of its money. Most call centers now pay around the same, whether it is millennium or fundraising. The company has made many strides to help make it fair to both sides. I take offense to the comment about the location of where the company opens up call centers. Just because you are from Kentucky or Virginia or West Virginia does not make you uneducated. I started out in Kentucky and my family is a very wealthy family of doctors, lawyers and educators. I have a business degree, what kind of degree do you have Ted? Obviously you must not have one and I only say that because you worked for this company and most people that work for this company are uneducated, right? The company offers a lot of opportunities for their management staff that move around but the most important opportunity is that extra pay that they give. It all boils down to money, lets just be honest. I wouldn't care if the company moved me 3 different times at the same position as long as I kept getting my $50 a week pay raise. From my experience with this company, I have never seen any supervisor or manager offer free weed to the top caller, or free beer to the person who brought in the most money and if that ever did occur, they would have been terminated immediately. None of that would be happening in my office! And lastly, as far as the whole giving out the company address goes, most clients require us to give out the number and address if requested by a customer so that is another dumb statement. As I previously mentioned I felt like I was wronged by the company but also had my fair share as well or I would still be with them but people tend to go badger a company when they are terminated for something and that is most likely what happened here. Maybe you should go back to school, Ted, and get that degree so that you are not like most other people who work for the company and are illiterate. But if I recall, didn't you work for them as well?

First of all, I agree with Ted from Canton, OH. As for Marj, I think you're missing the forest for the trees. The issue is not simply whether or not CDG employees are good or evil, or if even whether or not CDG employee are answering donor questions about %. The greater issue is the fact that the charities CDG solicits for get only about 15% of the money raised on their behalf. I have heard CDG supporters argue that the charities agree to the terms of the contract, and point out, it takes money to raise money. This is true and fine, but what about the donors. Most donors have no idea that only 15% of their hard-earned dollars actually end up going to the non-profit group to whom they made a check out to. Perhaps Marj would remind us that since Oct. 2008, CDG solicitors are honest with donors about the % when donors ask how much goes to the organization. However, as a former employee of CDG, I remember how few people actually ask about the percentage retained by the professional solicitor. Most people who ask, are already skeptical, they just want to confirm their suspicion. Furthermore, CDG scripts tend to focus on the least controversial and most emotionally appealing aspects of the non-profits for whom they call. For example, I remember calling on behalf of a Fraternal Order of Police organization. The script claimed that donations would help families of officers killed in the line of duty. Everyone wants to help out families of slain officers, but not everybody supports the various other ways the FOP spends the 15% of the money raised by CDG. If donors gave solely to help families of slain officers, they would be shocked to see that less than one-fourth of the 15% raised in the name of the FOP, ever helped a widow or a child. So Marj, one-fourth of 15% of ten dollars is less than 38 cents. Wouldn't donors be wise to hang up on CDG and give to a local worthwhile charity or one with a good rating from charitywatch? Actually, worthwhile and efficient charities are victims of CDG because the more money given to CDG is that much less left in the budgets of charitable Americans. That means less money can be given to worthy groups simply because donors exhaust their charitable budgets on CDG solicitations.

I suppose that even if they knew the facts, some donors would still donate to CDG solicitors. That's fine, but a law should be passed requiring all professional fund-raisers to disclose the percentage of money going to the non-profit group. The disclosure should be done on every call before the donation levels are mentioned. I realize CDG is only one of many professional fund-raisers that keep 85% of money they raise in the name of charity. However, CDG is the largest, and one of the least ethical.

I don't blame donors or low-level managers. They are just trying to keep a job in a tough economy. However, CDG owner David Keezer recently purchased a 7.35 million dollar mansion in Boca Raton, FL. How do you think donors would feel about that? Charitable dollars buying mansions for millionaires in a time like this, shame on CDG. The FTC is prosecuting CDG for "Crimes against Charitable Americans".

CDG should share the blame with the charities that them their soul for a guaranteed 15% of the dirty pot. Non-profits that hire CDG are not only deceiving themselves, they are deceiving their supporters. Also, they are standing between charitable Americans and more efficient and effective non-profit groups. Worthwhile and efficient charities are victims of CDG because the more money given to CDG is that much less left in the budgets of charitable Americans. That means less money can be given to worthy groups simply because donors exhaust their charitable budgets on CDG donations. Go to civicdevelopment to learn more.

I agree 100% with Ted from Canton, Ohio. These crooks are relentless and won't stop calling me. They have called me 5 times already over the past 8 days. Everytime I call block them they call me from a different phone number. I have been on the national Do Not Call list since inception. I made them aware of this and told them repeatedly to stop calling me but they won't stop.

It's unfortunate that unethical businesses like this continue to be a llowed to exist, harrass citizens, and take advantage of the better side of people's nature. I'm filing a complaint with the Florida Attorney General and the FTC against these people.

I've read through the majority of the comments here, and most of them have correct points, however they're all in different ways..

The earlier posts I've noticed are mostly negative, but there was some good positive feedback posts in the last couple of years, and even a couple posts from people who've worked where I work now. That's the Attleboro, MA State FOP Lodge.

Now, I've worked there for about 3 months at the time of posting this, and here's what I've seen...

No sexist discrimination, I see quite a few female callers and even make calls in the same sections as they do, there's not as many female TSR as male this is true, but I also notice that many more males apply to the job than females as well.

There's no age discrimination, I work with TSRs ranging from 16 to 60 I'm not certain on exact ages but it's a nice job to have for almost anyone who can manage it.

There's no drug-use in the office (as another poster said, what people do outside the office is no concern of mine), there's no alcohol consumption in the office, and there's no smoking in the office. Though 95% of people who work there do smoke, they just all head out-back during break.

The managers actually are really a great bunch of people in my opinion, they're all pretty normal people who are simply working a job that they do well in to get by, none of them seem to be the "sleazy" types described by other posts, and the administration is ran great as well.

The TSRs, none of them really seem to be sleazy types either, they're all good fun people to hang around and work with, no matter what they care to do on their own time.

Now to some history of how this call center has been run.. Up till mid-Oct '08 the center was under "consulting" of CDG, so yes, at the time the majority rule was to be as commanding of attention/etc as you could be, sound like a police officer to help increase the donor's comfort level in wanting to donate, and yes, we could certainly say that 100% at the time went to the MAFOP, however if we were asked if we were police, we were to say no and describe about how the MAFOP owned the call center and that it was not a professional fund-raiser, and that we were calling directly from the MAFOP. Which under the way that we were calling, was most certainly true, at the time we were working directly for the MAFOP and CDG was simply a consulting company.

In mid-Oct '08, they merged into CDG, MAFOP hired them on as a paid-fundraiser. That's when all our rules as TSR's changed. We call "On behalf of MAFOP" we describe what MAFOP is and does, we state that we ARE Paid Fundraisers with Civic, and if we are asked if we're police officers, or other such referrence made by the donor we are to immediately correct them and re-state that we are pfd with cdg and NOT police officers (If any TSR were to not do this, they'd be fired, every call IS recorded be it made by TSR or Manager.) Another thing is that pre-PFR/CDG we were able to say we/us/our frequently, as remember, we were calling directly from MAFOP. Once CDG took over the fund-raising, we can no longer say we/us/our as it eludes to us being part of the MAFOP, again, it's a violation that can mean termination.

As to the amount that the MAFOP gets? And the types of people who we call in asking for donations? We are explicitly told to answer with the % figure if asked how much does the organization recieve of donations, so if you're curious about CDG calling you, ask the %, if the TSR doesn't tell you, ask for the Customer Service phone# and the organization phone#, if they don't tell you, look up the organizations online and file your complaints directly with all your information about time/date of the call, and other information, action should be taken.

Now the types of people we call for donations, they're all ranges, majority of people simply hang-up or say they can't give. Now, if you think we're being overly persistant about the donation levels, remember, it's our a*s on the line if we don't ask you about lower amounts. That's our job, honestly, many of us hate to do it, especially if we are given some sob-story about your life, but it's either "how about this instead?" or "Bye-bye rent payment" obviously we'll give you the highest donation amounts first, if those aren't comfortable for you, maybe a lower spot would be, I can't tell you how many times someone said no to the top spots, but said "Ya'know, yeah $10 isn't much at all, put me down for that." it's really quite often, if we never asked about the $10 spot then the organization wouldn't make enough to continue to make calls, and they'd have 0% income for their programs.

Honestly, I think that yeah, there are likely quite a few places under CDG management that aren't ran very well, however the one in Attleboro, MA for the MAFOP is very well run, it's a clean environment in every sense as well.

By the way, people talk about how rude the TSR can be in telemarketing calls, but they never mention about how rude those we call up can be. There's a few people I work with who have said the same thing I have about it.. There are people we get on calls who simply say "I don't want to give to police" "I never want to give to police" "Take me off your list, I don't care about police" "I don't talk on recorded lines" I've even had quite a few people yelling at the top of their lungs at me over the phone, when I've barely said two sentences of my script... How exactly was I rude in saying my name, the organization I was calling on behalf of, and that the call is recorded? Like I said, many have said the same thing, that if we got the call we'd never say anything along the lines of not wanting to help police out, and it really baffles me at the number of people who don't like to help out the families of police who died while serving their country/state/city.

And really, is $10 and 2 minutes of your time, really asking you to give too much? $10 out of a year's salary is how much? I mean, of course, if you're really down in the dumps, you really can't afford $10, that's no problem, I feel ya, but you don't have to be rude about it either, I try my best to be as polite and courteous as I can, while still trying to keep you comfortable that giving a measily $10 really does help out. If you can't give, fine, but know that telemarketers really are people too, we're not simply scumbags trying to steal your money. Some of us are trying to raise money for excellent causes, and that's what keeps us going even through all the negativity of dealing with who we reach on the phones, and the backlash of media putting down the organizations.

Either way, CDG has both good and bad aspects, maybe it's part of reflection of exactly which company the CDG is managing, but their management of the Attleboro FOP lodge is certainly a "Good" in my book.

Ok well just to let you all know i work for CDG as well. Civic Developement Group is not a scam and those phone calls you get, well you cant call them back for one, cause its an automated dialer and for two there is no caller id.

So the call center i work at is ran very well. My manager CCM is very very good at what he does ands there is absolutely noone who says they are police officers. Or firefighters at that. And if they did they would be fired right on the spot. OR issued a TV ( telemarketing violation ).

I started working at the call center as a TSR in february 2008 and I have been there since. In each call we have specific things to say. Stuff we HALF to say. I am a female and I have been there for a while now. I also work as an ACCA ( call center admin ) So there is no way cdg is sexest or by any way saying they are cops.

CDG management opens up these call centers so they can make money (of course) also so they can do some good for the diffrent associations out there. If you had your own company you would do the same too. When my call center was the *SPA fundraising center 85% of the donations DID go to the actual organization and the other percent went to costs of the fundrive.

As an employee of cdg i have no complaints or have heard of any complaints from my call center. No sexual harrasment no greviance line needed. EVER. Whoever is saying bad things about CDG Management needs to shut up. It is a legitamate Organization wherever they are. And there is NO way its a scam. JUST LISTEN TO US TALK.

Next time you get that call from the fop, vfesa, spa or whatever, wont come up just listen WE ARE PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISERS WITH CIVIC. You can clearly hear the call center ion the backround. And that right there shoul tell you its legitimate. DUHH. There is alway a web site or a toll free number. and you can always reuest a information kit. My call center is registered with BBB. SO STOP SAYING THAT CDG IS HORRIBLE. There really not.

Also at my call center everyone who is a tsr or ccm or accm or cca or acca is very polite and courteous on the phone. Everyone has manners and uses them plenty.

OHHHH I almost forgot NO CDG office will hire 14 year olds. its 16 or older its in the policy handbook. And there was never a "unoffical" policy of not hiring females. The only reason you see or hear more males in a call center is because they tend to have strong loud voices. Thats why they get hired. Alot of females have nice light soft voices thats why they dont get hired as much. we have 3 girls working in my call center .

Oh and Ted This comment is extremely FALS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There is not one sleezy person in the call center i work at and if i could have all the employees of CDG read that statement then i am sure they would agree!

OHHH Yeah this comment as well... I have no idea where you heard this one from>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have never heard that in my life and to be honest with you my fiance is the manager of the call center i work at and weve been together for 2 years. Before i was ever a TSR/ACCA And i know who the regionals are and there is no way that would be permitted in the call center to begin with. Where ever you got that idea from its not true as well.

Now to end this ordeal with all the Bull you have said i have just a few more things to add..... ALL THE CALL THAT EMPLOYEES MAKE (TSR'S/CCM'S) ARE RECORDED. Every single one of them. Not just a few. Also my call center is located in a pretty big city and i highly doubt that CDG was targeting little rinkadink communities like you said cause i also know where there are some pretty big call centers. So that information is also wrong.


And Another thig that you said>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well Another novel later. .......LOL....... Our employees get paid more than that also they can get raises if there is a good performance. Honestly you sound like you have no clue whats going on. Noone runs a slave ship at my call center. Oh wait also i do need to include that we decided to move to a new location because it was a bigger paycheck and supervisors and managers do make alot more than the TSR honey i can def vouch for that.

Honestly i think you have gotten fired and the only thing you have to take it out on is the internet and its only making you look desprate. So why dont you get legitimate info before you post it ok.
Say hi to the big guy.!!!RS

Have a nice day!!!!!!!!!

Ok well just to let you all know i work for CDG as well. Civic Developement Group is not a scam and those phone calls you get, well you cant call them back for one, cause its an automated dialer and for two there is no caller id.

So the call center i work at is ran very well. My manager CCM is very very good at what he does ands there is absolutely noone who says they are police officers. Or firefighters at that. And if they did they would be fired right on the spot. OR issued a TV ( telemarketing violation ).

I started working at the call center as a TSR in february 2008 and I have been there since. In each call we have specific things to say. Stuff we HALF to say. I am a female and I have been there for a while now. I also work as an ACCA ( call center admin ) So there is no way cdg is sexest or by any way saying they are cops.

CDG management opens up these call centers so they can make money (of course) also so they can do some good for the diffrent associations out there. If you had your own company you would do the same too. When my call center was the *SPA fundraising center 85% of the donations DID go to the actual organization and the other percent went to costs of the fundrive.

As an employee of cdg i have no complaints or have heard of any complaints from my call center. No sexual harrasment no greviance line needed. EVER. Whoever is saying bad things about CDG Management needs to shut up. It is a legitamate Organization wherever they are. And there is NO way its a scam. JUST LISTEN TO US TALK.

Next time you get that call from the fop, vfesa, spa or whatever, wont come up just listen WE ARE PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISERS WITH CIVIC. You can clearly hear the call center ion the backround. And that right there shoul tell you its legitimate. DUHH. There is alway a web site or a toll free number. and you can always reuest a information kit. My call center is registered with BBB. SO STOP SAYING THAT CDG IS HORRIBLE. There really not.

Also at my call center everyone who is a tsr or ccm or accm or cca or acca is very polite and courteous on the phone. Everyone has manners and uses them plenty.

OHHHH I almost forgot NO CDG office will hire 14 year olds. its 16 or older its in the policy handbook. And there was never a "unoffical" policy of not hiring females. The only reason you see or hear more males in a call center is because they tend to have strong loud voices. Thats why they get hired. Alot of females have nice light soft voices thats why they dont get hired as much. we have 3 girls working in my call center .

Oh and Ted This comment is extremely FALS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There is not one sleezy person in the call center i work at and if i could have all the employees of CDG read that statement then i am sure they would agree!

OHHH Yeah this comment as well... I have no idea where you heard this one from>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have never heard that in my life and to be honest with you my fiance is the manager of the call center i work at and weve been together for 2 years. Before i was ever a TSR/ACCA And i know who the regionals are and there is no way that would be permitted in the call center to begin with. Where ever you got that idea from its not true as well.

Now to end this ordeal with all the Bull you have said i have just a few more things to add..... ALL THE CALL THAT EMPLOYEES MAKE (TSR'S/CCM'S) ARE RECORDED. Every single one of them. Not just a few. Also my call center is located in a pretty big city and i highly doubt that CDG was targeting little rinkadink communities like you said cause i also know where there are some pretty big call centers. So that information is also wrong.


And Another thig that you said>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well Another novel later. .......LOL....... Our employees get paid more than that also they can get raises if there is a good performance. Honestly you sound like you have no clue whats going on. Noone runs a slave ship at my call center. Oh wait also i do half to include that we decided to move to a new location because it was a bigger paycheck and supervisors and managers do make alot more than the TSR honey i can def vouch for that.

Honestly i think you have gotten fired and the only thing you have to take it out on is the internet. So why dont you get legitimate info before you post it ok.
Say hi to the big guy.!!!RS

Have a nice day!!!!!!!!!

I worked for CDG only if you asked in the office we worked "Directly for the FOP" or so we told everyone we called. They get away with what they are doing because "some" of the funds go to the people we called for, but the majority of the money goes directly back to the call center. If you work here, you might as well just call people on the phone at home yourself and say, "Hey, can you give me 20 bucks? No? then how about 10?" because that's pretty much the way it works. Anyone who says different is downright lying. I worked there for two months, and the whole place was full of corruption and most of the employees were on drugs or alcohol, and that is what they spent their wages on, too. So if you say, "Well, it gives people who wouldn't otherwise have a job a place of employment!" I say, yeah, so they can support their habits, not their families. Not only that, but the discrimintion of females is prevalent there because they have trouble sounding like police. Yes, you must sound like a cop, that's what they want. You can't say you are one, but it's ok to lead people on like you are. The final straw for me was when I called a list one day and found that all the people on it where residing in a nursing home!! I called and an elderly man answered and said, "My son takes care of my finances, he'll be here tomorrow." I said, "I can send you an information kit if you really wish to donate." He said ok, and he asked if I knew the address of the home he was in. I was apalled. "You're in a nursing home? I'm calling a nursing home?" He said he was. I clicked off the box and walked out. And they begged me to come back. No way. Bunch of ripoff artists that they are, I in no way ever again want affiliated with them. Only a criminal would work there, or someone who doesn't know what they stand for or do(and they prey on the people like that). I would like to see one person who put up for this company justify calling old people in a nursing home for money that does not go where the person thinks it is going. You can't. I would rather work for Sally Mae and be a debt collector than rip people off. It may not be the most admirable work, but at least it's truthful and legitimate. Don't be fooled into working for CDG or their affiliates by thinking you are a "fundraiser" and that you are doing good(like I did at first). You are only raising funds for your own office and that's pretty much it. Beware!

I could be very negative to the response of the review; but I will be a gentleman. I worked for CDG for over two years. In fact, I was in telemarketing for over thirteen years. The average payout for non-profit industries, including: FOP, State Police, Fire and Rescue, Drug Enforcement, etc. was no more than 20%. By law, if asked we were to tell the this. We were not to act as law officials, nor were we made to sound like authorities. We were to have a goal in mind--to raise money for these causes. I think people forget that these companies(CDG, etc.) had to buy the computers, rent the office space, pay the employees(including benefits and such), and buy the list of names, plus phones, lines, office supplies, heating, cooling, etc., etc., etc. How much do you think that costs? I would guess that more than 50% of the money raised went to these expenses. I once worked for a small out of town company that employed only about 8 people, and they really raked in the dough! CDG was one of the best companies I ever worked for. I started as a lowly telemarketer, then moved to recruiting manager, then on to manager. It wasn't handed to me, I had to create a resume and prove myself. Please, stop crying because someone is make a little money. If you can't make money, then you can't stay in business.

Well lets start with some speaker qualifcation,I was a union worker (A.F.L. / C.I.O.)for twenty years before N.A.F.T.A. People wake up industry is leaving the U.S.A.
I have saw coruption in every organization I have been Involved with, From the Cub Scouts to the Democratic Party. (yes I vote)
Anywhere there is Good, Evil is at work!
If your willing to dedicate yourself fulltime apply your training, its possible to make it big like grandma's wig! But dedicated people are exspensive to a company,insurance etc.So a fluid employe base is actually more profitable, as long there is a good flow.

I read something here about slavery try working under a union contract for twenty years , believe me the company did not mind telling you how much you cost them for not showing up for work or not applying training and skills,all in front of a represanative,I was good at manipulating the contract to my benifit though.
I think I have said enough, Thee Question is what is the value of a productive member of society? A kid in a youth program,the kid learning people/business skills after school,the senior who needs more money to get his medication,parole's who have to work to stay free, the list can go on for ever.
Does anyone out there know the history of police and firefighters, they all started as "Organiizzzaation's",gangs, thugs,extortionist so its probably a good thing this country has fund raising to give them a outlet,a profitable form of competition. And we still have fights over who"s jusirtiction case's fall in.

IF your still don't get it go get the dvd Gangs of New York!and thats just a start.
With that said, I am an American, I need a job I get one, I get intrigued I go to school, which is why I am now working on a degree in criminal justice ! So remember the next time you talk to a T.S.R., he/she may be the person who comes to your aid the next time you dial 911,police,firefighters,e.m.t.!
So until I get a degree,I will be "Representing"!

P.S does that make me a "Telephone Gangster" Ha!Ha!Ha! or part of the criminal justice system which is by definition all aspects of!!!!!!!

Well lets start with some speaker qualifcation,I was a union worker (A.F.L. / C.I.O.)for twenty years before N.A.F.T.A. People wake up industry is leaving the U.S.A.
I have saw coruption in every organization I have been Involved with, From the Cub Scouts to the Democratic Party. (yes I vote)
Anywhere there is Good, Evil is at work!
If your willing to dedicate yourself fulltime apply your training, its possible to make it big like grandma's wig! But dedicated people are exspensive to a company,insurance etc.

So a fluid employe base is actually more profitable, as long there is a good flow. I read something here about slavery try working under a union contract for twenty years , believe me the company did not mind telling you how much you cost them for not showing up for work or not applying training and skills,all in front of a represanative,I was good at manipulating the contract to my benifit though.
I think I have said enough, Thee Question is what is the value of a productive member of society? A kid in a youth program,the kid learning people/business skills after school,the senior who needs more money to get his medication,parole's who have to work to stay free, the list can go on for ever.
Does anyone out there know the history of police and firefighters, they all started as "Organiizzzaation's",gangs, thugs,extortionist so its probably a good thing this country has fund raising to give them a outlet,a profitable form of competition. And we still have fights over who"s jusirtiction case's fall in.

IF your still don't get it go get the dvd Gangs of New York!and thats just a start.
With that said, I am an American, I need a job I get one, I get intrigued I go to school, which is why I am now working on a degree in criminal justice ! So remember the next time you talk to a T.S.R., he/she may be the person who comes to your aid the next time you dial 911,police,firefighters,e.m.t.!
So until I get a degree,I will be "Representing"!

P.S does that make me a "Telephone Gangster" Ha!Ha!Ha!

My name is Terry and I have worked for CDG, Millennium Teleservices for 2 years. I have done both the fundraising and the sales parts of the company. I, actually, am a full time manager there.

As far as not being fair, I am in a wheelchair and have been for over 11 years. Saying that the company is a scam, then how do we call for Columbia House DVD Club? Or better yet, how do we call on behalf of NASCAR? Yes, the real NASCAR Members Club that you can find the link to on Nascar.com.

And drugs, listen, numerous people have been fired just for having that in their system where I work and also, if they are ever caught stealing or misrepresenting any company, they are immediately fired. We even have quality teams in New Jersey that work with the attorneys of all the companies we associate with to m make sure every sale is done appropriately and legally in every possible way. I am even an ordained minister so why would I work for a company that is dishonest?

You must understand that in any kind of sales, performance is the issue! Do car salesmen keep their job if they never sell a car? NO! Then how can a company like Millennium do anything else other than sell?

As far as money or prizes, drugs have never been a prize in our office. That's absurd. If that kind of thing as ever happened in any office, then blame the people that done it, not the entire corporation. I have seen HD televisions, Xbox 360's, Wii's, gift cards, and cash prizes given to people regardless of having 1 sale or 20 sales and these prizes come from the companies that hire us to work for them ex. Columbia House, Nascar, ets., not Millennium itself.

As far as the pay, I'm getting promoted and will be making $120 extra a week than what I'm making now. So what if I do live in Kentucky, does being content with $400 a week after taxes as opposed to someone is a big city making $1000 make me any less of an individual? NO! Would you rather me in my wheelchair just stay at home and draw as check each month? That's the reason our economy is in the shape it is in now. Those who can work won't.

So regardless of your opinion or experience you had, why didn't you call the grievance line that is posted in every office on a two foot by three foot poster in three seperate rooms including at the entrance? I have personally seen corporate officials fired for misconduct in other offices. So why didn't you report it rather than putting it on a website that only a few people can see. Come down to office #38 and I promise, you'll see a much different office than you saw anywhere else. Ask for Terry, I'll be wheeling around I'm sure.

I was 24 years old, a single mom of 2 boys and unemployed when I came across a card advertising "local jobs---$6 an hour." I put the card in my purse thinking it was probably some scam. At best I thought it was 45 minutes away in the larger city of Corbin. One day I hit rock bottom. I was driving to my Mom's house to borrow $12 to cover a check I had written for diapers and I ran out of gas. Ironically I ran out of gas just a half block from a pay phone. I didn't even have change for the pay phone and had to call my mom, who was only 2 miles away, collect. After calling to her for help I sat there with my 2 children and knew enough was enough. I remembered the card I had put into my purse; I pulled it out and called the number. To my surprise the place was local...it had just opened. And I had an interview for the next day.

24 hours later I had a job working 40 hours a week at 6.00 an hour. This was a miracle for me considering I couldn't even find part time work at minimum wage. I was just the kind of person that CDG had hoped to find. Desperate. Down on my luck. Do you think that mattered to me? I could suddenly buy diapers and gas and clothes for my oldest son who was in the first grade. I worked on the Millennium side and quickly noticed that the Civic side was all male. I later found out that they made 8.00 an hour. I didn't mind. I was happy where I was. And I was great at it. I was a top caller for the first 12 months that I was employed there. I was named "Caller of the Year." And then I went into management. I was the training manager and hired so many wonderful people. I hired preachers, substitute teachers, very sweet high school kids...I even hired a woman who was the subject of a southern movie based on her life as a nurse at war. She brought me a pineapple upside down cake on her first day on the phones. Most of the people I hired were the farthest from scum as you could find. They were real people just like me.

Not long after going into management things went sour. Unfortunately it wasn't the company as a whole that made things go downhill. The first year I was in management was great and our CCM made sure that things ran like a fine oiled machine. Then he left. It was all downhill from there. There were many changes in management over my last 2 years there but it was really never the same. Yes, drugs and sex among managers and TSR's and all sorts of other crap went on. Only I imagine those things go on in a lot of places...not just CDG.

I have only 2 complaints. 1) George Johnson. He was the Millennium Operations Manager in New Jersey and a real a*s. I can say that now that I no longer work there. That man made me want to quit so many times. I heard that he was eventually fired for having a raw attitude with the wrong person. Don't know if there is truth in that but I can assure any of you he was an a*s to me. and 2) The small percentage of funds raised that actually went to the charity. I was always told that the charity is happy regardless. They get 15% (or 20% or whatever the particular charity called for) and that amount was better than nothing. I can say that I was never asked to be dishonest in any way when I did eventually do calling and managing in Civic. There was a general rule...you call by the book. I was never led to be dishonest about the amount the charity actually received but I do recall getting cursed out many times when I was told off by a potential donor after telling them how much of their donation went to help.

I was laid off one fall evening and never returned...not even when the rest of my group came back from lay off. Not CDG's fault. I just didn't have it in me anymore.

So, yes, CDG opens up shop in small towns who will happily do whatever they can for 6/8 bucks an hour...Yes, many times CDG employs the unemployable (a common statement I heard while I was a manager) and yes, they keep at least 75% of the funds they raise. Yes, a CDG employee will b***h and complain about their managers or hours or pay...But it all boils down to one thing. It's a job. And if you won't do it someone else will. Someone that needs to put diapers on their son...like me.

If you have read the fine print then you must have seen where this website informs the consumer........which leads me to this. I'm assuming you are an active employee and you need to defend your employer, that's fine, but to try to "smooth over" CDG's illegal activities makes me question why are you so concerned about peoples comments. Do you have your hand in the cookie jar? Are you afraid of losing business due to our reports? Are you one of those people that have the long arrest records or an addict wishing on more "free info" to fund your habit? This rebuttal is not an attempt to make you mad but really why such a nasty comment when we "THE CONSUMER" have a right to know what we are dealing with, and by the way, you don't represent a decent company but what everyone is complaining about, a s**+**Y company. Just for future reference... If I were checking out CDG reports to find out if they were reputible and came across this website and then read your comment, I would have declined to donate, all this before I was ripped off, so what does your statement really say.

those who have posted negative remarks on this website of the afformentined company are no more credible than the down on their luck people they discredit, as for rip-off report.com, they are low blowers for letting people post coments like "we should rid these people from the earth" and ''scrape them from the soles of our shoes" not only is this website trash, it sounds like anyone who comes on here and has anyting bad to say about any business, is obviously and idiot who probably stumbled on to one of these false truth spreading cess-pools. let me tell you a little secret. poilcemen and firefighters have jobs, they cant spend there time telemarkting and solicting funds themselves. so they personally hire these compnies knowing all too well what the percentags and distributions are. theyre okay with it, meaning when you donate, you do have the police and fire bureaus respect and thanks. as for the pecentage taken out the companies have to reserve that much to pay the $9.00 an hour to employees. thats good money for a "low brow" job like telemarketing, and its good they set up in places like rural west virginia, because the wosrt people in those areas would be equivalent to most midle class people in any other state. dont low ball west virginians because ive been to many other states in my time , and these are very decent people, who as far as ive observed are very intelligent, considering the supposed "cultured" people up north and out west, who think west virginia is a region of virginia, and not even its own state ( which it is, brought into the union june 20th 1863,35th state of the union). besides if there were people doing horrendous things in these compnaies all the time here, it would eventually catch up with the company and be exposed on a higher level of press like tv. not some scummy back water website made by some pissy punks who dont know how to look at anything with any respect. listen, this website is even more of a piece of filty disguting trash than any crooked company, because if you read their disclaimers, they wont take down a posting, even if they were 100% wrong about what they said. check it out, they say it in black and white. they'll lie right to your face. at least if someone solicited by a telemarketing company says something that could be misleding like"you cops are great" or "what station are located" it is our job to right away mention that we are solicitors and not government officials. even if they dont ask us we still say it numerous times in our script. so rip-off report.com, if you have anything else to say bad about these companies, just shut up, you cant tell a straight story so dont accuse these companies of lying, you claim you can post just about anything, but one day your going to slip up , which from what i witnessed is soon with how you endorse any half wit that sides with you, and you asses will be handed to you. so quit being peices of trash and spreading lies. and when you put statistics on here, have some kind of factul basis on it not some lies from some dubass kid who moved from canton to logan just to telemarket, piss off on this website

doug casto

Let me tell you that CDG has not only charged my credit card more than I agreed to "donate" but they have also shocked me with their employment ethics. After I did my own investigation to help recover my loss, I was shocked to see that most of the employees were criminals (some for forgery/fraud) and not to leave out most were drug abusers. Imagine a heroin junkie calling for the Ohio Troopers only to get your info!! Thats what happened to me. Now I can't speak for any other offices other than the Portsmouth location. "Tommy" charged my card $10.00 more than I agreed to and the office didn't do anything. As for ALL calls being monitored, BULLSHIT!!! If this was true then the office would have been able to trace our conversation and give me back my money. After tracing my payment to the Portsmouth location, and traveling there to talk to a manager, I met with "shorty a.k.a. Timothy Smith", the track marks started at his fingertips. He had no idea why I was there but felt the need to share "his" heroin story. I was appalled. I contacted the Sheriff's Dept and it was not shocking to hear that they are well aware of the criminal activities, after all the Sheriff's office is right across the street!!! I can not press charges nor will I see my refund but a word to the wise, HANG UP!! It wouldn't surprise me a bit if my info gets sold somewhere, I have to pay to have my credit report checked often, They just steal it and get away with it anyways.

Did you know that we have an office right here in Canton, Ted? I am the business administrator at the office.

I AM A MANAGER AT CDG AND IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. I AM MAKING NICE MONEY WHILE DOING WHAT I LOVE. IT IS A GREAT JOB FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE IN SCHOOL AND FOR PEOPLE LOOKING TO MAKE GOOD EXTRA MONEY.

ALL YOU HATERS OUT THERE ARE MESSED UP. YA WE PRESSURE PEOPLE FOR MONEY SO WHAT ANY SALES JOB IS LIKE THAT. IF YOU CANT TAKE THE HEAT GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN. I HAVE BEEN IN SALES FOR 17 YRS AND I AM NUMBER 1 IN TAPS THERE PLUS I MANAGE. I AM PROUD TO BE AN EMPLOYEE AT CDG I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT COMPLAIN JUST STINK AT SALES AND DIDNT DO GOOD THERE. SO PLEASE SHUT UP AND GO WORK FOR 6HR AT MCDONALDS.

I worked there 2 yrs and was a top tapper. FYI starting pay here is $11.00 hr.

I drove by there after leaving my doctor's. I am under treatment for a leg infection from 12 hrs of standing on a concrete floor for $8.00 hr. I just kept driving. That's how bad CDG is.

You can tell when they are monitoring you it sounds like your voice in a 55 gallon barrel. The far the caller is physically distant from the monitor the more pronounced the echo. I would use a mosquito clicker in my hand by the mic, hear two clicks and you are being monitored.

How, on the earth does this happen. Honestly i respect everyone who has been employed by millennium and i say this because i know that its hard going in especially everyday to repeat the same thing continuously over and over, its repetitive I'm not going to lie. I personally have been working with the company for over a year, The main problem with this company is that the Hotshots looking at the numbers that evaluate u as an employee don't actually come inside the office and see what u as an employee actually bring to the office.

My biggest concern with this is that For the year that i have been there i have only received two pay evaluations and this has only been in the last 3 months, the company has NEVER issued me a raise and have issued me 2 pay deductions, i refused to sign for the first one and was given a D.A. and then today came along i was deducted 20 cents if i refused to sign it i would have been terminated which is a joke.

Now the Oshawa office #43 i work in is unbelievable SIMILAR to the other offices in the united states. Employees doing rails of cocaine in their cubical popping perks and extacy and smoking weed during every break in a 8 hour day. Like i wanna quit this shitty company because i feel like f.s. everyday, show some f**king interest for ur employees MTS, people who make a 1000 dollars in a shift let them have a day off, People who have been there for a year appreciate that stuff. its hard for someone to stay there for a month. 400 people have been through the Oshawa office since it has opened in feb 2006, and i am of the elite tappers in the office whose been there pretty much the whole time i just don't get why i cant get a raise my fellow employees feel i should be deserving the raises that they are receiving because i have truthfully busted my a*s and no one from corp has come to Oshawa to look at the office and actually discover one of the best offices MTS has .

The company makes millions, so why cant u fly your asses to Canada and start giving back to the people who have showed seniority in the office because a million dollars says anyone from CORP can not maintain solid numbers for a full 40 hours week like us Canadian callers do. Stop being so cheap and stingy with you employees SERIOUSLY.. its a joke. i Ive put in my best effort and for the company to take money away from me without giving me raise is an insult and i feel like another slave to the work week

Wow MTS GET IT TOGETHER

Ahhh yes it's me again. I posted a rebuttal earlier on March 24, 2006. I am now 20 and still a manager at Millennium Teleservices while I work towards my criminal justice degree at a local community college. After I complete it I will be going to work with the Kentucky State Police. The National Guard pays my tuition and I still work my 40 hours at MTS. It seems there has been alot of activity towards this topic, both postive and negative, since my last viewing of this page. I do hope that those of you who have had a negative experience with CDG/MTS will maybe, if not at a better job now, go back sometime and try to see the business for what it really is. Lets go over some more key points shall we:

So I will reiterate on some of my points went over in my last rebuttal. CDG/MTS is not a criminal, unethical, or otherwise bad organization. YES they do only give 10-20 percent of gathered monies to the named organization. Do I really have to give you this formula again??? The organization (FOP, fire fighters, veterans, etc) doesn't have any capital into the fund drive! They don't pay anything (thats the equivalent of ZERO,0, nada) to conduct the fund drive. They don't pay the phone bill, water, electric, rent, TSR (telephone service representative) wages or manager wages or admin wages, book-keeping, profit and expense analysis, TAXES, equipment like headsets, amplifiers, monitors, keyboards. So if the FOP payed for all this, considering a headset and amplifier cost $267 (multiply that by 66 cubicles. Not good at math? Oh thats only over $17,000) I seriously doubt the FOP can afford that to start off their fund drive. Oh wait! The router for the dialing system costs over $35,000. Lets add that in! Then we add in monitors (which costs around $190 each. Still no good at math? Thats only about $12,500) and we can see that the FOP is making a killing off this! If they bring in $55,000 then that is like free money!

And yes for those of you who call for the FOP you are taught to sound assertive, loud, clear, confident, and to talk with a deeper voice. Is this to make you sound like an officer? Well yes of course. But! The second that potential contributer asks "Are you an officer?" you are taught to immediately tell them no and explain you work for CDG and only raise the funds. Why is it this way? Well it could be because the FTC (Federal Trade Corporation) does spot testing of recorded calls. Everything you say over that mic is recorded. EVERYTHING. So if you tell that person you are an officer, you risk getting fired and the company fined lots and lots of money. Keep this in mind. When Taco Bell had an e-coli outbreak what happened? The affected restaurants got shut down till the problem was solved. If CDG/MTS was to do something illegal then they would be shut down as well. It may seem to some that calling for the FOP or another organization is wrong because you are taught to sound like an officer but this is only a selling technique. Car salesmen have theirs, employees walking the floor of a store have theirs, insurance salesmen have theirs, anybody and everybody that sales anything has some sort of special selling tehcnique and i guarantee if you worked for them you will find one that might make you feel "uncomfortable".

On to the matters of conditions in the call centers. You show me one large national business, just ONE, that doesn't have issues with drugs, sexual harassment, supervisor abuse, or general unwanted situations in the job place, and by-god you can have my debit card and use it as you wish. You to Wal Mart, and you are probably going to find someone standing outside on break smoking a joint. You go to McDonalds, and you are probably going to find somebody making your double quarter pounder that snorted something before he came to work. You to any business around the country and you are going to find an employee sexually harassing another. And oooh here is my favorite part, supervisor abuse. Ok so the supervisor says SALES SALES SALES. Do you wonder why that is? Probably because neither you nor him are going to get paid if you don't make some sales. Sales=Money in telemarketing. If you don't make any sales, nobody makes any money. I'm sure those of you reading this that have worked for the company have at some time recieved a piece of paper called a DA (Disciplinary Action). It states what you did wrong and what the action taken is going to be. Now TSRs get them for poor performance, not showing up for a scheduled shift, failure to comply with policies, or basically doing bad at your job. But did you know that the corporate guys in New Jersey can turn on their computer and listen to any TSR in any call center in the nation? And if that corporate guy listens to some random caller, performance isn't very good, and he doesn't hear a manager in the background trying to motivate callers to do better, then the manager gets a DA. It's all about doing your job the way you are told. Callers and told to be loud and enthusiastic, to rebuttal when appropriate and to be polite. I know of numerous occasions that I myself and other managers have given a TSR a DA for being too pushy with the customer or being rude. So if a caller doesn't do their job, they get a DA (starting with a warning and moving towards termination). Managers are told to motivate, support callers, write evalutaions, and hold together the infrastructure of the office. If we don't do our job right, we get a DA.

Lastly I would like to touch on the subject of employees, mainly TSRs, themselves and the overall great job that CDG/MTS provides. I was 16 when I was first hired at MTS, June 11 of 2003 to be exact. I have been there 3 1/2 years and have never been fired. Why do you think this is? I DO MY JOB! I hear alot of people, and see them on this page, saying that you get fired "just because the manager can". Oh man this is not true. First of all anybody that gets fired must get fired by the CCM (call center manager) or ACCM (assistant CCM). And second of all, do you think if you make a profit for the company that they will want to fire you? Of course not, you are making them money! But anyway not to get off subject. MTS has provided me a steady income and a wealth of opportunity for advancement within the company. I'm 20, I'm a manager at a call center in a multi-million dollar company. How do you think that looks on a resume??? Leadership ability, communication, consistency, hardworking, goal-oriented... these are all things that are going to be going through an interviewers mind when deciding if I should work for his company or not. And this is an opportunity opened up to all other employees! Another guy who is 19 is a manager, then there is another 19 year old manager and another 20 year old manager, others who are in their mid twenties or early thirties, a few in their forties, and one who is over 50! We have employees still in high-school just lookin to make some cash for gas and extra stuff throughout the week. We have employees with a wfie and a couple kids that work full time to support their families and take their job very seriously and do good at it. We have employess who are in their 60s! They've already retired and are just looking to make that little bit of extra spending money.

So you see, CDG/MTS is not a bad company. They have their faults just like any other company out there whether it be drugs, harassment, or abuse. And these faults are met with authority (a few people mentioned Gerri, the Human Resources lady earlier, and she WILL come to the office to investigate claims). So remember, if you do your job properly and within the policies set forth by the company and the FTC, you will make decent money and very easily. All you have to do is put forth a little effort.

By the way, the Paintsville, KY office no longer calls for the FOP or even Discover card anymore. We now call for the Columbia House dvd club and BMG music service. We have a few other programs that have circulated through the office, and are currently dialing for the Nascar club.

So in closing I would like to remind you that what CDG/MTS does it not illegal or they wouldn't be doing business. You may have had a bad experience but you will have those with any job. It's all part of life.

i worked for the pikeville, ky office for a very long time. the employees are verbally abused and threatened on a daily basis. 99 percent of the people who work there are on drugs. the admins in the office sell drugs to the tsrs. every day the admins and managers and select employees go into a storage room in the back and smoke pot. at times it was hard for me to concentrate while calling. they even let people (the people they buy drugs from) that don't work in the office come back there with them.

i have seen pills being crushed and snorted in the bathroom on the toilet paper rolls and out of the cubicles almost every day i was at work. wwhen someone calls the greivance line and tells them about it, the managers know in advance and they all cover for each other. then they find out who called the greivance line and have it arranged for their termination. if you work for this company and you value your job at all, do NOT call the greivance line. please trust me on this. they will see to it that they can listen to your calls and MAKE UP something to get you fired. finally the way they get sales will make you sick.

they only call the state of missouri and it keeps getting harder to get sales. what they do is try to cherry pick leads until they find an old person or a hispanic or someone that doesn't understand english too well. they read the script 100 miles per hour no matter who answers the phone and at the end yell "THE GOLD IS 55 OK?!?" by the end it wasn't just 55 but just any number they could make up. 86. 92. just whatever. then the people who of course had no idea what just happened would say ok back and they chuck it though. i've seen more wood pledges go through at this office than you can imagine and they never get fired for it becaue they lead the room so the managers want to keep them so they can hit their precious mins. for the longest time i was blinded by the paycheck and told myself that i was actaully doing good for the police when instead what i was doing was preying on innocent people and forcing them to take something that they never asked for. i used to be proud to work there but now i am ashamed that i raised that company all the money that i did. we lie to people. we tell them they get 100 percent of the money.

i know for a fact that they get in the 27 percent and CDG gets the rest. we are told that we work DIRECTLY for the mofop so our salary is counted in the 100 percent. this is obviously just a clever hoax. in conclusion i am probably going to hell for working there as long as i did and if you ever think about getting a job there.... don't. unless you're a drug dealer or a scam artist and in that case you'll love it.

Six months ago signs in my small community began popping up offering 12$ per hr. For a few weeks I ignored these signs, before I was given a card. I am a salesman by trade, thus, one of the easiest sort of people to be sold and in my town 12$ per hr for unskilled labor of any sort is unheard of. Why bother even trying, probably just some pyramid scheme, or telemarketing scam... Who wants to sell Water Heaters at dinner time? Ironically, I found the aforementioned card right outside my Parole Officers Door, (Yes, I too am one of the bottom feeding scumbags whom WILL gladly sit tucked away in a cubicle to solicit donations for a law enforcement official if that is what will earn a paycheck, and No, I see absolutely nothing hypocritical about that).

As it turns out, the association for which I raise money for had been paying CDG to handle the fundraising up untill spring of this year. Now, CDG is consulting for my company... So, that is my relationship with CDG... While I do not work for them personally, the manager of our new fundraising center does. I might mention right now that this man is an a*s! But, I like him. A few months into my ongoing employment, I began to lose faith in my cause. I am a very effective rebuttaler and my ability to overcome objections comes from a long history of sales positions ranging from Kirbys to Visa/Mastercard Business Accounts. Despite my aptitude for this high intensity, performance based job, I began questioning where exactly these "Fully Tax Deductible" donations were going. If we were such a great help, then why do the very people we support have no clue who we are? I began doing my homework, which eventually led me here.

Several good points have been raised on both sides of this debate. On the one side, If not for CDG and the 10% of the several 100,000$'s they raised, then roughly 30 people here in my economically depressed community would not have such an opportunity for a 12$ per hr job. As was stated by another employee, any monies padding the pockets of the intended recipients was 100% profit. Because the association I work directly for received a mere 10% while CDG received 90% untill this year, they were able to start there own fundraising center with CDG consulting "Of course, there are costs associatied with the drive, but they are all paid directly by the Association". Now, 6 months later, our office is one of the top 5 in the nation! Our taps section writes 300+ on a daily basis! And the list of communities around my state whom receive benifits has doubled! Bravo! CDG. Personally, I look forward to a healthy paycheck every Friday, and there is nobody to thank but the folks from CDG, such as the aforementioned a*s, whom flew all the way from West Virginia and sacrificed 4 months of time with his family to open the office.

Therein is the other side... My experience with an actual CDG employee is similar to those mentioned. The bossman has no qualms about letting the females (whom all do quite well in cold) know there is no chance they will ever call TAPS. "Everbody on your feet!"... "This is unexceptable!"... "We will not miss this Min!" and "Everybody in this office has ADHD!" are only a couple of the more mild expletives I hear for nearly 40 hours a week. Would it be too offensive to mention that I can bear these types of dispersions because I know that after work, me and the West Virginian will most likely hit the bar together... When foul words fly from this fellows mouth I know we done did something not right... No, a manager is not allowed to yell, cuss or threaten to run you over with his car, but heck, beats McD's anytime! And, as long as you know how to roll with the punches, rebuttal correctly and most importantly excercise some listening skills, you should be able to convert 1 out of 10 beeps (in cold)... If you find yourself on the grievance line, useing the 800 number on the break room payphone, it's probably because of the 9 out of 10 beeps which told you to hang yourself! As far as being encouraged to imitate a law enforcement official, well, no body had to tell me to do that! My first day on the job, I realized that as long as these people do not ask, I do not have to tell. In fact, I push the envelope so close that I have had more than one talk with corporate... But, I will never let slip from my neck any literal claim of being an Emergency Responder. "No Mam/Sir, I am just a fundraiser for these guys and gals, their job is a bit too hairy for me" Let them think whatever they need to feel comfortable about entrusting the voice on the other end of the phone to put their hard earned money to proper use... After all, no matter what percentage is used, it is still a dollar amount which was not available for use before. Should I tell them I am a felon? Would that inspire confidence? Or, perhaps, because I am a felon, a less able person should be filling the seat which, no matter how many people show up at any given time, will always have reserved for me. Should that persons ability to alway make the best choice mean that the people whom we raise these dollars for suffer a loss in dollar amounts per hour. If a body whom had no criminal history (or any body for that matter) were to fill my chair that is exactly what would happen... I am not saying that because I have a criminal record, I am the better salesman, I am saying am a better salesman, because I am.

Moving forward with this comment, I would like to reiterate and make clear my feelings. I am incredibly thankful for CDG, as are the Emergency Responders whom received the benifts of CDG's labor. I don't like being yelled at, and I have in fact yelled back more than one time at the risk of losing my job (all part of rolling with the punches and being confident, if you are writing over the room, what are they gonna do?), I was at first very skeptical of the nature of this beast and lost faith in the cause, but now (especially after some of the things I have read about CDG right here on Ripoffreport) I am very comfortable with taking the money straight out any residents wallet who is fortunate enough to own a phone. I am a Felon... I am on parole... I have 3 children and an ex-wife... I have a GED and an incredibly Loud, Confident and Assertive grip on my employment situation! I look forward to running my own TAPS section in the years to come. In the last couple of months BAF bonuses alone have paid my rent! Again, I say BRAVO CDG!

Six months ago signs in my small community began popping up offering 12$ per hr. For a few weeks I ignored these signs, before I was given a card. I am a salesman by trade, thus, one of the easiest sort of people to be sold and in my town 12$ per hr for unskilled labor of any sort is unheard of. Why bother even trying, probably just some pyramid scheme, or telemarketing scam... Who wants to sell Water Heaters at dinner time? Ironically, I found the aforementioned card right outside my Parole Officers Door, (Yes, I too am one of the bottom feeding scumbags whom WILL gladly sit tucked away in a cubicle to solicit donations for a law enforcement official if that is what will earn a paycheck, and No, I see absolutely nothing hypocritical about that).

As it turns out, the association for which I raise money for had been paying CDG to handle the fundraising up untill spring of this year. Now, CDG is consulting for my company... So, that is my relationship with CDG... While I do not work for them personally, the manager of our new fundraising center does. I might mention right now that this man is an a*s! But, I like him. A few months into my ongoing employment, I began to lose faith in my cause. I am a very effective rebuttaler and my ability to overcome objections comes from a long history of sales positions ranging from Kirbys to Visa/Mastercard Business Accounts. Despite my aptitude for this high intensity, performance based job, I began questioning where exactly these "Fully Tax Deductible" donations were going. If we were such a great help, then why do the very people we support have no clue who we are? I began doing my homework, which eventually led me here.

Several good points have been raised on both sides of this debate. On the one side, If not for CDG and the 10% of the several 100,000$'s they raised, then roughly 30 people here in my economically depressed community would not have such an opportunity for a 12$ per hr job. As was stated by another employee, any monies padding the pockets of the intended recipients was 100% profit. Because the association I work directly for received a mere 10% while CDG received 90% untill this year, they were able to start there own fundraising center with CDG consulting "Of course, there are costs associatied with the drive, but they are all paid directly by the Association". Now, 6 months later, our office is one of the top 5 in the nation! Our taps section writes 300+ on a daily basis! And the list of communities around my state whom receive benifits has doubled! Bravo! CDG. Personally, I look forward to a healthy paycheck every Friday, and there is nobody to thank but the folks from CDG, such as the aforementioned a*s, whom flew all the way from West Virginia and sacrificed 4 months of time with his family to open the office.

Therein is the other side... My experience with an actual CDG employee is similar to those mentioned. The bossman has no qualms about letting the females (whom all do quite well in cold) know there is no chance they will ever call TAPS. "Everbody on your feet!"... "This is unexceptable!"... "We will not miss this Min!" and "Everybody in this office has ADHD!" are only a couple of the more mild expletives I hear for nearly 40 hours a week. Would it be too offensive to mention that I can bear these types of dispersions because I know that after work, me and the West Virginian will most likely hit the bar together... When foul words fly from this fellows mouth I know we done did something not right... No, a manager is not allowed to yell, cuss or threaten to run you over with his car, but heck, beats McD's anytime! And, as long as you know how to roll with the punches, rebuttal correctly and most importantly excercise some listening skills, you should be able to convert 1 out of 10 beeps (in cold)... If you find yourself on the grievance line, useing the 800 number on the break room payphone, it's probably because of the 9 out of 10 beeps which told you to hang yourself! As far as being encouraged to imitate a law enforcement official, well, no body had to tell me to do that! My first day on the job, I realized that as long as these people do not ask, I do not have to tell. In fact, I push the envelope so close that I have had more than one talk with corporate... But, I will never let slip from my neck any literal claim of being an Emergency Responder. "No Mam/Sir, I am just a fundraiser for these guys and gals, their job is a bit too hairy for me" Let them think whatever they need to feel comfortable about entrusting the voice on the other end of the phone to put their hard earned money to proper use... After all, no matter what percentage is used, it is still a dollar amount which was not available for use before. Should I tell them I am a felon? Would that inspire confidence? Or, perhaps, because I am a felon, a less able person should be filling the seat which, no matter how many people show up at any given time, will always have reserved for me. Should that persons ability to alway make the best choice mean that the people whom we raise these dollars for suffer a loss in dollar amounts per hour. If a body whom had no criminal history (or any body for that matter) were to fill my chair that is exactly what would happen... I am not saying that because I have a criminal record, I am the better salesman, I am saying am a better salesman, because I am.

Moving forward with this comment, I would like to reiterate and make clear my feelings. I am incredibly thankful for CDG, as are the Emergency Responders whom received the benifts of CDG's labor. I don't like being yelled at, and I have in fact yelled back more than one time at the risk of losing my job (all part of rolling with the punches and being confident, if you are writing over the room, what are they gonna do?), I was at first very skeptical of the nature of this beast and lost faith in the cause, but now (especially after some of the things I have read about CDG right here on Ripoffreport) I am very comfortable with taking the money straight out any residents wallet who is fortunate enough to own a phone. I am a Felon... I am on parole... I have 3 children and an ex-wife... I have a GED and an incredibly Loud, Confident and Assertive grip on my employment situation! I look forward to running my own TAPS section in the years to come. In the last couple of months BAF bonuses alone have paid my rent! Again, I say BRAVO CDG!

Six months ago signs in my small community began popping up offering 12$ per hr. For a few weeks I ignored these signs, before I was given a card. I am a salesman by trade, thus, one of the easiest sort of people to be sold and in my town 12$ per hr for unskilled labor of any sort is unheard of. Why bother even trying, probably just some pyramid scheme, or telemarketing scam... Who wants to sell Water Heaters at dinner time? Ironically, I found the aforementioned card right outside my Parole Officers Door, (Yes, I too am one of the bottom feeding scumbags whom WILL gladly sit tucked away in a cubicle to solicit donations for a law enforcement official if that is what will earn a paycheck, and No, I see absolutely nothing hypocritical about that).

As it turns out, the association for which I raise money for had been paying CDG to handle the fundraising up untill spring of this year. Now, CDG is consulting for my company... So, that is my relationship with CDG... While I do not work for them personally, the manager of our new fundraising center does. I might mention right now that this man is an a*s! But, I like him. A few months into my ongoing employment, I began to lose faith in my cause. I am a very effective rebuttaler and my ability to overcome objections comes from a long history of sales positions ranging from Kirbys to Visa/Mastercard Business Accounts. Despite my aptitude for this high intensity, performance based job, I began questioning where exactly these "Fully Tax Deductible" donations were going. If we were such a great help, then why do the very people we support have no clue who we are? I began doing my homework, which eventually led me here.

Several good points have been raised on both sides of this debate. On the one side, If not for CDG and the 10% of the several 100,000$'s they raised, then roughly 30 people here in my economically depressed community would not have such an opportunity for a 12$ per hr job. As was stated by another employee, any monies padding the pockets of the intended recipients was 100% profit. Because the association I work directly for received a mere 10% while CDG received 90% untill this year, they were able to start there own fundraising center with CDG consulting "Of course, there are costs associatied with the drive, but they are all paid directly by the Association". Now, 6 months later, our office is one of the top 5 in the nation! Our taps section writes 300+ on a daily basis! And the list of communities around my state whom receive benifits has doubled! Bravo! CDG. Personally, I look forward to a healthy paycheck every Friday, and there is nobody to thank but the folks from CDG, such as the aforementioned a*s, whom flew all the way from West Virginia and sacrificed 4 months of time with his family to open the office.

Therein is the other side... My experience with an actual CDG employee is similar to those mentioned. The bossman has no qualms about letting the females (whom all do quite well in cold) know there is no chance they will ever call TAPS. "Everbody on your feet!"... "This is unexceptable!"... "We will not miss this Min!" and "Everybody in this office has ADHD!" are only a couple of the more mild expletives I hear for nearly 40 hours a week. Would it be too offensive to mention that I can bear these types of dispersions because I know that after work, me and the West Virginian will most likely hit the bar together... When foul words fly from this fellows mouth I know we done did something not right... No, a manager is not allowed to yell, cuss or threaten to run you over with his car, but heck, beats McD's anytime! And, as long as you know how to roll with the punches, rebuttal correctly and most importantly excercise some listening skills, you should be able to convert 1 out of 10 beeps (in cold)... If you find yourself on the grievance line, useing the 800 number on the break room payphone, it's probably because of the 9 out of 10 beeps which told you to hang yourself! As far as being encouraged to imitate a law enforcement official, well, no body had to tell me to do that! My first day on the job, I realized that as long as these people do not ask, I do not have to tell. In fact, I push the envelope so close that I have had more than one talk with corporate... But, I will never let slip from my neck any literal claim of being an Emergency Responder. "No Mam/Sir, I am just a fundraiser for these guys and gals, their job is a bit too hairy for me" Let them think whatever they need to feel comfortable about entrusting the voice on the other end of the phone to put their hard earned money to proper use... After all, no matter what percentage is used, it is still a dollar amount which was not available for use before. Should I tell them I am a felon? Would that inspire confidence? Or, perhaps, because I am a felon, a less able person should be filling the seat which, no matter how many people show up at any given time, will always have reserved for me. Should that persons ability to alway make the best choice mean that the people whom we raise these dollars for suffer a loss in dollar amounts per hour. If a body whom had no criminal history (or any body for that matter) were to fill my chair that is exactly what would happen... I am not saying that because I have a criminal record, I am the better salesman, I am saying am a better salesman, because I am.

Moving forward with this comment, I would like to reiterate and make clear my feelings. I am incredibly thankful for CDG, as are the Emergency Responders whom received the benifts of CDG's labor. I don't like being yelled at, and I have in fact yelled back more than one time at the risk of losing my job (all part of rolling with the punches and being confident, if you are writing over the room, what are they gonna do?), I was at first very skeptical of the nature of this beast and lost faith in the cause, but now (especially after some of the things I have read about CDG right here on Ripoffreport) I am very comfortable with taking the money straight out any residents wallet who is fortunate enough to own a phone. I am a Felon... I am on parole... I have 3 children and an ex-wife... I have a GED and an incredibly Loud, Confident and Assertive grip on my employment situation! I look forward to running my own TAPS section in the years to come. In the last couple of months BAF bonuses alone have paid my rent! Again, I say BRAVO CDG!

Six months ago signs in my small community began popping up offering 12$ per hr. For a few weeks I ignored these signs, before I was given a card. I am a salesman by trade, thus, one of the easiest sort of people to be sold and in my town 12$ per hr for unskilled labor of any sort is unheard of. Why bother even trying, probably just some pyramid scheme, or telemarketing scam... Who wants to sell Water Heaters at dinner time? Ironically, I found the aforementioned card right outside my Parole Officers Door, (Yes, I too am one of the bottom feeding scumbags whom WILL gladly sit tucked away in a cubicle to solicit donations for a law enforcement official if that is what will earn a paycheck, and No, I see absolutely nothing hypocritical about that).

As it turns out, the association for which I raise money for had been paying CDG to handle the fundraising up untill spring of this year. Now, CDG is consulting for my company... So, that is my relationship with CDG... While I do not work for them personally, the manager of our new fundraising center does. I might mention right now that this man is an a*s! But, I like him. A few months into my ongoing employment, I began to lose faith in my cause. I am a very effective rebuttaler and my ability to overcome objections comes from a long history of sales positions ranging from Kirbys to Visa/Mastercard Business Accounts. Despite my aptitude for this high intensity, performance based job, I began questioning where exactly these "Fully Tax Deductible" donations were going. If we were such a great help, then why do the very people we support have no clue who we are? I began doing my homework, which eventually led me here.

Several good points have been raised on both sides of this debate. On the one side, If not for CDG and the 10% of the several 100,000$'s they raised, then roughly 30 people here in my economically depressed community would not have such an opportunity for a 12$ per hr job. As was stated by another employee, any monies padding the pockets of the intended recipients was 100% profit. Because the association I work directly for received a mere 10% while CDG received 90% untill this year, they were able to start there own fundraising center with CDG consulting "Of course, there are costs associatied with the drive, but they are all paid directly by the Association". Now, 6 months later, our office is one of the top 5 in the nation! Our taps section writes 300+ on a daily basis! And the list of communities around my state whom receive benifits has doubled! Bravo! CDG. Personally, I look forward to a healthy paycheck every Friday, and there is nobody to thank but the folks from CDG, such as the aforementioned a*s, whom flew all the way from West Virginia and sacrificed 4 months of time with his family to open the office.

Therein is the other side... My experience with an actual CDG employee is similar to those mentioned. The bossman has no qualms about letting the females (whom all do quite well in cold) know there is no chance they will ever call TAPS. "Everbody on your feet!"... "This is unexceptable!"... "We will not miss this Min!" and "Everybody in this office has ADHD!" are only a couple of the more mild expletives I hear for nearly 40 hours a week. Would it be too offensive to mention that I can bear these types of dispersions because I know that after work, me and the West Virginian will most likely hit the bar together... When foul words fly from this fellows mouth I know we done did something not right... No, a manager is not allowed to yell, cuss or threaten to run you over with his car, but heck, beats McD's anytime! And, as long as you know how to roll with the punches, rebuttal correctly and most importantly excercise some listening skills, you should be able to convert 1 out of 10 beeps (in cold)... If you find yourself on the grievance line, useing the 800 number on the break room payphone, it's probably because of the 9 out of 10 beeps which told you to hang yourself! As far as being encouraged to imitate a law enforcement official, well, no body had to tell me to do that! My first day on the job, I realized that as long as these people do not ask, I do not have to tell. In fact, I push the envelope so close that I have had more than one talk with corporate... But, I will never let slip from my neck any literal claim of being an Emergency Responder. "No Mam/Sir, I am just a fundraiser for these guys and gals, their job is a bit too hairy for me" Let them think whatever they need to feel comfortable about entrusting the voice on the other end of the phone to put their hard earned money to proper use... After all, no matter what percentage is used, it is still a dollar amount which was not available for use before. Should I tell them I am a felon? Would that inspire confidence? Or, perhaps, because I am a felon, a less able person should be filling the seat which, no matter how many people show up at any given time, will always have reserved for me. Should that persons ability to alway make the best choice mean that the people whom we raise these dollars for suffer a loss in dollar amounts per hour. If a body whom had no criminal history (or any body for that matter) were to fill my chair that is exactly what would happen... I am not saying that because I have a criminal record, I am the better salesman, I am saying am a better salesman, because I am.

Moving forward with this comment, I would like to reiterate and make clear my feelings. I am incredibly thankful for CDG, as are the Emergency Responders whom received the benifts of CDG's labor. I don't like being yelled at, and I have in fact yelled back more than one time at the risk of losing my job (all part of rolling with the punches and being confident, if you are writing over the room, what are they gonna do?), I was at first very skeptical of the nature of this beast and lost faith in the cause, but now (especially after some of the things I have read about CDG right here on Ripoffreport) I am very comfortable with taking the money straight out any residents wallet who is fortunate enough to own a phone. I am a Felon... I am on parole... I have 3 children and an ex-wife... I have a GED and an incredibly Loud, Confident and Assertive grip on my employment situation! I look forward to running my own TAPS section in the years to come. In the last couple of months BAF bonuses alone have paid my rent! Again, I say BRAVO CDG!

I feel your anger or concerned may be misdirected. Yeah, I understand taht d**n there everybody in your call center has a record. That's not the NJFOP's fault or Cdg's fault. They offer people who can't get jobs anywhere else a new lease on life. And if those people who come into the office wish to continue their ways they'll just escalate themselves out of the door as if they were has-beens only to come back for probably the second, third or maybe the fourth time.

I'm fortunate that I've been at two offices and got to work with some great people. I don't know if its my aura. I'm still a college student and believe it or not none of the bad habits such the smoking of cigarettes, marijuana and other drugs have phased me since being with the company. I don't smoke and that hasn't alienated me from my co-workers at all. Our office is connected to th eactual lodge for the Fraternal Order of Police, I don't know how your office is set up. Police officers are always in the building. The President of the FOP is almost always there.

I don't know maybe that may be the difference. This is the office in Attleboro, MA I'm talking about. But don't quit because of those lowlifes who want to do nothing for themselves. Get yours, milk out the managerial thing and really wait for the best "best" thing to come!

One Love,


C.

I used to be just like you. I was once a manager, I encouraged people to work there. The business itself is not at fault and the money is great if you can do the job right. I feel the fact that they hire in low income areas is good for the community as well. However, they do not bother to do background checks on new hires from these areas, allowing; rapists, child molesters, burglars, armed robbers, and drug dealers/addicts of all kinds, to FLOURISH there. How hypocritical can you get? THIS IS A FUNDRAISING CENTER FOR POLICE!!!

Not only do they allow this to happen, it is clear to me now that they actually encourage it. One manager has a history of herion sales/use and is currently on probation in monmouth county. Another has done 7 years on Rahway state prison for armed robbery, and another (the manager who is still in charge of hiring no less) has had uncountable sexual harrassment calls placed against him (proving the greivance line is horsesh*t) and a criminal history including crack cocaine sales (among other serious charges, just keeping it as short as possible and trying not to sound redundant)

I know all of this because all you have to do is type a name in njdoc.com website and the criminal history pops up with a picture. I have done this with every employee I could name and was SHOCKED at the charges my managers and co-workers had been found guilty of.

If they actually did criminal background checks, and maintained the facilities the way a genuinely professional business does, I would still work for them. I had good benefits and made 17+ dollars an hour, yet none of that is worth my personal safety and human integrity.

I can only hope that it is different in other offices, but as far as the NJFOP office is concerned...They need fire more than half the employees or the place needs to be condemned. That is the only way I would ever walk back on the premices (other than to get my final check this friday)

File number,
150087

I used to be just like you. I was once a manager, I encouraged people to work there. The business itself is not at fault and the money is great if you can do the job right. I feel the fact that they hire in low income areas is good for the community as well. However, they do not bother to do background checks on new hires from these areas, allowing; rapists, child molesters, burglars, armed robbers, and drug dealers/addicts of all kinds, to FLOURISH there. How hypocritical can you get? THIS IS A FUNDRAISING CENTER FOR POLICE!!!

Not only do they allow this to happen, it is clear to me now that they actually encourage it. One manager has a history of herion sales/use and is currently on probation in monmouth county. Another has done 7 years on Rahway state prison for armed robbery, and another (the manager who is still in charge of hiring no less) has had uncountable sexual harrassment calls placed against him (proving the greivance line is horsesh*t) and a criminal history including crack cocaine sales (among other serious charges, just keeping it as short as possible and trying not to sound redundant)

I know all of this because all you have to do is type a name in njdoc.com website and the criminal history pops up with a picture. I have done this with every employee I could name and was SHOCKED at the charges my managers and co-workers had been found guilty of.

If they actually did criminal background checks, and maintained the facilities the way a genuinely professional business does, I would still work for them. I had good benefits and made 17+ dollars an hour, yet none of that is worth my personal safety and human integrity.

I can only hope that it is different in other offices, but as far as the NJFOP office is concerned...They need fire more than half the employees or the place needs to be condemned. That is the only way I would ever walk back on the premices (other than to get my final check this friday)

File number,
150087

Yes, It is C. Brooks again. How dare you hate on cross tapping? How dare you say that the company would give donors who have donated to a fire fighter's organization the illusion that they are renewing a pledge? On our screens since you seem to know so much it tells us what to ask for. It only gives what to at least ask for it says nothing about what they gave last. It only shows an amount the donor can get tied down at. Is their anything wrong with that. NO!! It's selling!

All the donors are getting is a similiar spill and most if not al of my co workers and co managers inform the donors of where the money goes when asked and also when not asked. Taps is the most profitable form of fundraising!! Why not ask people who have donated before ( which basically make it a taps call regardless of what they donated to) to donate. You are probably saying this because you probably can't hold it down on the phones. I held it down in two offices!! Providence, R.I (RIFOP) and Attleboro, MA (MAFOP). You can't hate on a system that works, and I hate and love to say it, these motherf**kers are gonna be around for ever. Face it, no matter how many times a year we or they call, they're good at what they do. Face it, It's a CDG thing!!!!!

This company is shadier than any I have incountered and I have been in this business off and on for 20 years. Everything that was stated on the operation of the offices is true, furthermore, it should be reported to a prospective employee of the FCC ongoing investigation in the companies practices.

They do one thing that I found most disturbing: they call it: Cross Tapping. Basically, what this is consist of a list of contributers from other police or fire organizations that CDG has purchased or used in the past and they call these unwitting people on the pretense that they are renewing a previous pledge; or go so far as to say that the organization never received the pledge and solicite another: only this time using whatever "charity" (FOP, Troopers whatever the office calling is pitching)

This is THE most deceptive practice I have ever witnessed and one that needs to be addressed by the FTC and FCC. It is a shame that police and fire organization get in bed with mafia types such as these.

I have been working with Civic Development Group for a year and a couple of months and these statements that generalize the company as being scumbags of the earth, unethical, and scam artists are not true. These guys and their strategies for solicting people for donations for charities that they work for is potent. If they did door to door selling they would be phenominal at that too.

Men sell better than women, that is not the company's fault, the corporate world has believed that even before civic and millenium went into existence. Drugs, sex, and lies is what unfortunately make this particular world go around. Consider location before you blame the company on for the material that comes into their offices. And hell, they open their office to people who normally can't get jobs anywhere else, remeber that position to the people who wrote their statements.

Bottom line CDG is number one at what they do. You have your arguments, your wins and losses but the aura of the people in any given cdg office determine the togetherness of th ecall center and its success.

I will have been with CDG for 4 years in January and have had my positives and negatives with the company, but who should I place the blame on? Is it CDG, is it the management(which, coincidently, I am now a part of), is it the industry, or could it be me??

Everyone, everywhere has had there pros and cons about their past and present employers. But it, almost always, generally seems to be the EX-employee that has the most negative remarks to make. There are exceptions to that rule, but usually weighs heavy on that side. This seems to be no different.

Did CDG give me a fair shake? YES. Did the management staff teach me properly on how to do the job? YES. Did I listen and apply what was taught? I would like to think so. If I didn't, would I have been successful and still been an employee of the company? Probably not. These are realities that WE have to face at any position, for any company that employs us. Not just the so called "DREADED CDG."

After reading through all these statements individuals have made, I have realized that some people only have one thing in mind and that is to place the blame on other people for their failures and they seem to do it with extreme disregard for how it could affect others as well.

I am sorry for the people who believe they were subjected to wrong doings, or is it really just retaliation. I'm sure there may have been a few isolated incidents that could have occurred, but I also know they were handled promptly and properly.

Before I came to work here I was in a field where I was looked down on as a 'low life' for 18 years. Stock Brokers, Lawyers, Truck Drivers, even Doctors, get this title. And why? Because they have all found a way of making a very nice profit from the public. Are their drugs, sexual harassment allegations, etc...? Sure. You will find this everywhere you go.

So why use these to stand on to fight your battles? It it very shaky ground if you ask me. Find something sturdy, like a strong backbone and face up to the truth. Did I pay attention to what the the testing manager was training me on? Did I apply what was taught to me every shift I worked? Did I actually do the job I was paid to do or did I take it for granted and sit there and hope no one would notice me while bilking the company for my hourly wage?

Who should I REALLY place the blame on? Me personally? If I fail in my position, I obviously did so because I either didn't have the ability to perform the tasks or I just plain ole chose NOT to do them.

So, who do I blame? Sheesh, that's a tough one to answer.

Now as far as TED goes, well he must have witnessed some extra ordinary raffles. The only incentives that are being given away that, I am aware of, are monetary, store bought, or company logo prizes for different acheivements made by the tsr's. And these are given because of all the outstanding work done by all the exceptional employees that we have in our call centers. They are the friendliest and hardest working people you will ever get a chance to meet in ANY industry in the U.S. and Canada.

I disagree with all the whinning about how bad CDG is. CDG performs a function of fundraising that many organizations cannot afford to do on their own. I personally have had a satisfactory experience with CDG and continue to use their services to consult on our fundraising Call Center.

Many organizations such as the Troopers Associations, Fraternal Order of Police and the like, have no real means for revenue. Sure, they have membership dues that everyone pays but those dues are not enough to provide the community service programs and services that these organizations offer. CDG performs a very important service to these organizations. They provide a vehicle for these organizations to do good community oriented service for the citizens of their community. Without the services of CDG the organizations could not offer assistance to the charities of which they support.

CDG offers a service and expertise to these organizations for a management fee. That fee is based on the amount of revenue that is generated by the TSR's and the CCM's. No one would or should expect a service for free. All these organizations enter into a contractual agreement whereas the fee or percentage is spelled out clear and without questions. We have had our own Call Center, where the equiptment such as the dialer and computers and all necessary to run an efficient office were purchased and maintained by us. Further, the callers and managers were paid on a percentage of revenue generated. The cost of running such an organization and believe me with all the overhead and the headaches of running the call center is enormous. Most of us, if we're smart will gladly enter into an agreement with CDG to take the headaches and the overhead for their service. In return we get a percentage of revenue in return to provide services and donations to charitable organizations around the country that we otherwize could not provide.

There are good and bad service providers for fundraising call centers. CDG is one of the GOOD GUYS in fundraising and have been nothing but fair with our organization.

Civic Developement Group has become a leader in this industry and I would recommend them to anyone who wishes to increase revenue for their organization so you can provide to the community.

I just wanted to make everyone aware that CDG Management has expanded and they have opened an office in Shiremanstown, PA.

431 Railroad Ave
Shirmanstown, PA 17011

Honestly I don't know how long they've been there, but they definitely setteled in a location that is very similar to the others, a place where there is many young kids and unemployed or low income families.

They are soliciting employees by putting small signs along side major roadways advertising 15/hr for full or partime hours.

I called to inquire and my first instincts were, "if it's too good to be true it probably is." There was an eight hundred number that I called first and they gave me the address and explained that I would be telemarketing for non-profit organizations such as local police departments. Lucky for me I searched the internet for directions and came across this site.

I feel that there should be more investigating done to determine wether this office is managed the same way as some of the previous horror stories explained, but I am not taking the chance to find out.

I am posting this message because there are way more negitive rebuttles about this company than good and that suggests that they are what everyone says they are.

I just wanted to make everyone aware that CDG Management has expanded and they have opened an office in Shiremanstown, PA.

431 Railroad Ave
Shirmanstown, PA 17011

Honestly I don't know how long they've been there, but they definitely setteled in a location that is very similar to the others, a place where there is many young kids and unemployed or low income families.

They are soliciting employees by putting small signs along side major roadways advertising 15/hr for full or partime hours.

I called to inquire and my first instincts were, "if it's too good to be true it probably is." There was an eight hundred number that I called first and they gave me the address and explained that I would be telemarketing for non-profit organizations such as local police departments. Lucky for me I searched the internet for directions and came across this site.

I feel that there should be more investigating done to determine wether this office is managed the same way as some of the previous horror stories explained, but I am not taking the chance to find out.

I am posting this message because there are way more negitive rebuttles about this company than good and that suggests that they are what everyone says they are.

Please read carefully. I am a current employee of CDG/MTS in Paintsville, KY. I have been working at office 38 for almost 3 years now (June will make 3). I am 19 years old and a manager. This place has done nothing but good for me. A steady paycheck and a good look on a resume for management status at 19. Yes there was a time when drugs were bad and harrassment ran rampant but they have left these idiosyncratic ways behind. Offices are now drug free (the people may not be but the offices themselves are. what people do on their own time isn't my business), harassment has stopped and if it does occur it is met with authority, an overall helpful staff of managers are available, and frequent stops by HR (Human Resources) are made throughout the year. Yes we bellow sales sales sales! Lets look at the major equation for this industry: Company A wants to sell more products and get a much larger group of customers. Millenium Teleservices wants to make money. The TSR's and managers want to make money. The only way Company A is going to give Millenium Teleservices money for themselves and to pay the employees is to get results. Sales=Results. If we don't get sales then Company A will go to another telemarketing service to look for better results. So yeah you get hounded about sales. What happens when you work at McDonalds? HAMBURGERS HAMBURGRS HAMBURGERS! If you can't produce enough hamburgers for them to sell to the customers then they will find somebody who can, same with telemarketing. You either do the job or you don't. And yes of course they are gonna put the offices in areas where there is less growth and a much smaller amount of highly educated people who can get the better jobs. They (MTS) get more employees, and the people who don't have the ability to work at a bank or do accounting work but don't want to settle for $5.15 at WalMart can still make decent money for themselves and their families. I go recruiting for employees every week and always target the low income housing projects or the thrift shops and dollar stores. This is simply where people with not a whole lot of money go. Hell I buy most of my groceries at Save-a-Lot or IGA. I go to the Dollar Discount to get batteries or school supplies. If these kind of people need money and are looking for a decent paying job that CAN blossom into a career but have no training then why not tell them where to go. Also, this company doesn't fire you because "they can", they fire you because you sit in your chair and don't do anything and are getting paid a portion of Company A's money for it. If you get that money you had better do some work for it. Most people just don't want to work. They hear that this telemarketing stuff is easy and decent money, only to find out it does take a bit of work and gets a little nerve-racking after a while. You deal with it and do the job the way you are supposed to. And lastly, the whole thing about the police organizations, fire, veterans or whatever it may be. The majority of those organizations don't have the time or the funds to reach such a large number of potential contributors. So MTS/CDG is contacted by the organization looking for a way to raise funds in an affordable an effective manner. CDG tells them they will give them X amount of the raised monies and the rest will go to expenses (hmmmm lets see: water bill, gas bill, electric bill, rent, PHONE BILL, property taxes and all federal, state and local taxes, they have to pay for employee wages including the TSR's, managers, admins, corporate officials, information technology guys that tell you what to do when something goes wrong, Human Resources officials, they have to pay for maintenance fees and equipment like monitors, headsets, amplifiers, keyboards (this stuff does break and often) and any fees for accounting or book keeping). If you were to take into account all those expenses for how many offices the company has working on a daily basis, the number would be enormous! Now lets look at this equation: Sherriff Office A wants to raise money but has none to start out with. They contact CDG who agrees to pay them 15% of all raised monies throughout the course of the campaign. Sherriff Office A has NO capital (that means they didn't pay anything to conduct the fund drive) so that 15% they are recieving is 100% profit to them. Since this money is 100% profit they can put it to it's full potention for the organization. So in closing, lets not dwell on Millenium Teleservices or Civic Development Group for the tactics that any business looking to make money is going to use. Every business has a special purpose, and it gets money because it is good at this one special thing. For McDonalds it is making food, for Dell it is making computers, and for CDG/MTS it is making calls, that simple.

I worked for CDG in the Logan, WV office and for the entire 6 months I was there..I was top caller for Discover. I pushed myself for sales so that the Managers didn't have to. I averaged 2-3 sales an hour..sometimes more. I personally witnessed cocaine and crushed pills being snorted from under keyboards. I saw managers buying drugs.We were paid hourly..not commision so no matter how many sales I made I was getting the same as the loser next to me.And to top it all off...my pay was DROPPED because i got a call kicked out..no matter how many sales I had made in relation to the idiots working with me.It's hard to get sales kicked out if you don't make any.I have worked at alot of places, but that was the most unfair, corrupt , dangerous , disrespectful, drug-infested slimepit I have ever been unfortunate enough to witness.

First of all, let's get one thing PERFECTLY clear. CDG and it's employess are the biggest scumbags on the planet. They are the lowest forms of scum you will ever encounter. I HIGHLY recommend that ANYONE who knows or comes across any of these lowlife creatures to put them out of our misery as soon as possible. These are clowns that actually wake up in the morning, get dressed, drink their coffee and drive to work thinking "I'm going to rip someone off today." "I'm going to annoy as many people as possible today" and they do this every working day of their life. They know WHAT they are doing, and the continue to choose to do it. THEY ARE LOWLIFE, LOW BRAINED PIECES OF CRAP, AND WHAT DO YOU DO WITH CRAP??? YOU SCRAPE IT OFF YOUR SHOE AND FLUSH IT DOWN THE TOILET. PERIOD.

THERE IS NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS. THEY PEOPLE AND THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO BE PUT OUT OF COMMISSION

Listen Man
I have been with the company for 4 years and here is the reality you need to see.First off nobody is getting robbed the people we call agree to give the dnation and if it was lying or deceptive then the FTC would lock the doors.Ya alot of the less fortunate people are the ones that end up giving but did you read the script in front of you.Lets asumme you did and in that case the donor made the choice to give.If you lies to get it then your in the wrong not Civic.As far as the % ya it could be more but its better than none and thats what alot of them would have had.

I mean dude i have worked for several offices and have been a mgr abd caller and am a caller again in a new office so i have seen several sides of civic.I have my issues with the company but the guys on this site make it sound so bad and im sure that you see it that way but what i see guys and girls wanting to whine about something that does alot of good in alot of ways.
This company does go to underdeveloped towns but how will that hurt he town its a job for alot of people and the remark in one complaint about employing people that are to stupid to know the diference is a very nice comment. I find it great to tell people thay are stupid so whoever wrote that one pat yourself on the back.
Ya there is alot of drugs in the company but you find me any company where at some level certain employess dont use them. As far as the belitteling of people i have seen that myself but it was always people who were not foing there job.

I mean they chose not to do it,They could do it but wouldnt.

Bottomline people is this its a job for small communities and school kids and it does raise some money for great groups so quit the whining and let people make there own choice.
Oh yeah i have made several calls to the grievance line and never fired i guess one dude things im speacial.

You guys whine too much

I have worked for a CDG office in Muncie Indiana for over a year now. I am a female and started working there 2 weeks after our office opened. I have in NO WAY witnessed the things that you are reporting. It is horrible if these things really happend to all of you. I really feel like someone needs to speak up on their behalf. Of course, I can't speak for the offices in question, but I can speak for what has gone on in my office, and in all fairness, we did all work for the same management company.

First off, they don't discriminate against male or female.. or obviously I wouldn't of gotten hired, and lasted this long. It just so happens that men do sale better than women in fundraising, that is not CDGs fault.

We have in NO WAY pretended to be police officers, in all actuality we would get fired on the spot if we were caught doing this. We do have a representative come into our office quite often from the FOP to check out operations and never do we change what we are doing when he comes in.

There has never been any sexual harrasment involved in our office either. The CCM of our office would NOT tolerate this. And to be quite honest, we just had to sign sexual harrasment paperwork on this very thing. I've never heard of anyone being fired for calling the grievance line, and yes, i know of people who have.

We have had female managers at our office, as well as men. They do expect you to sale good, and to do this you must have a strong, confident and assertive voice. They have given us so many chances with performance, and tried to help us be better.

When bringing in doctors notes, they have always been honored, and only when you don't hit your required 24 weekly hours are your terminated for that. But then again, that's good business. You can't run a good business where people are not showing up all the time.

As soon as I read all these postings, I felt that my job, as an employee of a company that i adore, was to give some positive feedback. Again, I am sorry that you all feel this way... but why not blame your individual offices/managers, and not CDG as a whole, because our office is NOTHING like this.
Thank you for hearing me out. Good luck in all your endeavors!

i work in this office. please, allow me to retort.

"the way they train people is to suspend them for one to five days when they do something wrong they didn't know was wrong! i have been suspended 4 times in six weeks by 3 different managers, and it was really just because they could."

no, it was really just because you weren't doing your job.

"i had one sale bounce at quality control this week because i answered a foriegn man on a call the wrong way, i thought he had asked what the credit line was.... it was hard to hear on the phone and they said that was a violation to proactively offer the credit line....even tho the credit line is proactively offered before going in to recording for the "sale"."

every tsr knows not to proactively offer information in recording. well, every tsr that has active listening skills knows this. i guess you weren't listening during shift meetings, much less on your calls. and lets not blame this on someone being "foriegn."

"anyway i have very few hours this week and so my paycheck next week will not be adequate for gas to go to work...nevermind christmas!"

problem solved.

"they are jerks... i think they just use people to get "sales" and they just keep hiring and hiring because all they do is suspend and fire and run people off..."

i think you were using them for a "paycheck."

"it looks shadier every day.... not to mention the silly string fight the floor managers and office managers had last saturday morning....there was people serviously trying to do a good job but the managers were running and chasning each other on the call center floor and also spraying silly string on people who did not get "on their feet"."

having fun is shady? loosen up a little bit.

"i will find someway to have christmas presents for my family...with or without those lowlife jerks at millenium teleservices....and Mr. Bill just may find out that "accountability" means not having the managers run and play all the time in dangerous ways..."

i suppose you blamed not having money for presents on Mr. Bill. in reality, its your fault because you couldn't do the job. i hope you enjoyed this lesson in accountability more than the people you couldn't afford presents for.

"..so i've probably had it anyway. but if it will be arranged for me to be fired....then good riddance to those losers!"

good riddance to you, loser.

I worked for nearly three months for the Paintsville, Ky office and it was okay at first. However, later on it got to where I dreaded going in. In the first place, the people you call are obnoxious enough, but you have to endure that to get that SALE. That is all that matters to them the almighty SALE. In the first place, if someone wishes to be removed and not be called anymore, then we are to comply. But some of the callers I contacted have been contacted over and over again even though some have been asked to be removed! I think that is harrassment.

They also had a problem with drugs at one time, but no longer. This has lead to such things as you can't sit in your car on your lunch break and some other silly rules, but that I can see.

Also, conditions have also gone downhill. We no longer had civic so it is just Discover Platinum card. And while the only incentives are lottery and cash prizes, this pales before the constant bellowing for sales, sales, sales! One lady actually had a caller hang up on her because the caller heard the manager bellowing for sales.

Then there is the matter of sick employees. I was allowed to call in with a doctor's excuse because I had laryngitis and had no trouble so I thought nothing of it. But I have seen cases of people the managers refused to let go home even though the person in question could barely stand up. One lady had a potentially life threatening condition and all they could do was belly ache about her three kick outs because she was too sick to do her job correctly.

For me, however, the last straw came when the weather turned bad. I could not even get out of my driveway without sliding. I tried to call in, only to be ORDERED to come in. The manager said that since he did not have any problems (he lived in town BTW)I should'nt have any problems either. He ordered others in as well and was overheard to be getting ready to write up those who could not come in. (I managed to come in but I found it suspiscious that I got suspended for a day the next week because of low sales. I am not entirely convinced that it wasen't retribution for trying to call in.) In the weeks following that I was off probation only to be written up for low sales on the same day by two different managers!

Another lady is being hounded because the second in command did not like her, and she is already bringing a lawsuit against the company. And I have heard other stories about civic callers being physically struck(in some cases leaving bruises) for not paying attention to their monitors, people being hired then being fired on a pretext (I think they were getting ready to set me up when I found another job with an INBOUND call center)Happily I quit about two weeks ago.

What makes me sad is that there are decent managers and workers there. They are not all bottom feeders. They are just trying to pay their bills like everyone else. A company is only as good as it's leaders.

i work at the central city call center for millenium teleservices. at the central city call center we call and telemarket credit card applications. the way they train people is to suspend them for one to five days when they do something wrong they didn't know was wrong! i have been suspended 4 times in six weeks by 3 different managers, and it was really just because they could. i have been working hard and i got at least 20 sales last week, all of which were "Good". i had one sale bounce at quality control this week because i answered a foriegn man on a call the wrong way, i thought he had asked what the credit line was.... it was hard to hear on the phone and they said that was a violation to proactively offer the credit line....even tho the credit line is proactively offered before going in to recording for the "sale". anyway i have very few hours this week and so my paycheck next week will not be adequate for gas to go to work...nevermind christmas! they are jerks... i think they just use people to get "sales" and they just keep hiring and hiring because all they do is suspend and fire and run people off...it looks shadier every day.... not to mention the silly string fight the floor managers and office managers had last saturday morning....there was people serviously trying to do a good job but the managers were running and chasning each other on the call center floor and also spraying silly string on people who did not get "on their feet". i will find someway to have christmas presents for my family...with or without those lowlife jerks at millenium teleservices....and Mr. Bill just may find out that "accountability" means not having the managers run and play all the time in dangerous ways , as well as not suspending people so the managers can put debt waiver money in their own pockets from the corporate manager raffle... don't get a lot of sales with no debt waivers and mess up their debt waiver numbers! or you have had it... i called the grievnce line yesterday...so i've probably had it anyway. but if it will be arranged for me to be fired....then good riddance to those losers!

i work at the central city call center for millenium teleservices. at the central city call center we call and telemarket credit card applications. the way they train people is to suspend them for one to five days when they do something wrong they didn't know was wrong! i have been suspended 4 times in six weeks by 3 different managers, and it was really just because they could. i have been working hard and i got at least 20 sales last week, all of which were "Good". i had one sale bounce at quality control this week because i answered a foriegn man on a call the wrong way, i thought he had asked what the credit line was.... it was hard to hear on the phone and they said that was a violation to proactively offer the credit line....even tho the credit line is proactively offered before going in to recording for the "sale". anyway i have very few hours this week and so my paycheck next week will not be adequate for gas to go to work...nevermind christmas! they are jerks... i think they just use people to get "sales" and they just keep hiring and hiring because all they do is suspend and fire and run people off...it looks shadier every day.... not to mention the silly string fight the floor managers and office managers had last saturday morning....there was people serviously trying to do a good job but the managers were running and chasning each other on the call center floor and also spraying silly string on people who did not get "on their feet". i will find someway to have christmas presents for my family...with or without those lowlife jerks at millenium teleservices....and Mr. Bill just may find out that "accountability" means not having the managers run and play all the time in dangerous ways , as well as not suspending people so the managers can put debt waiver money in their own pockets from the corporate manager raffle... don't get a lot of sales with no debt waivers and mess up their debt waiver numbers! or you have had it... i called the grievnce line yesterday...so i've probably had it anyway. but if it will be arranged for me to be fired....then good riddance to those losers!

i work at the central city call center for millenium teleservices. at the central city call center we call and telemarket credit card applications. the way they train people is to suspend them for one to five days when they do something wrong they didn't know was wrong! i have been suspended 4 times in six weeks by 3 different managers, and it was really just because they could. i have been working hard and i got at least 20 sales last week, all of which were "Good". i had one sale bounce at quality control this week because i answered a foriegn man on a call the wrong way, i thought he had asked what the credit line was.... it was hard to hear on the phone and they said that was a violation to proactively offer the credit line....even tho the credit line is proactively offered before going in to recording for the "sale". anyway i have very few hours this week and so my paycheck next week will not be adequate for gas to go to work...nevermind christmas! they are jerks... i think they just use people to get "sales" and they just keep hiring and hiring because all they do is suspend and fire and run people off...it looks shadier every day.... not to mention the silly string fight the floor managers and office managers had last saturday morning....there was people serviously trying to do a good job but the managers were running and chasning each other on the call center floor and also spraying silly string on people who did not get "on their feet". i will find someway to have christmas presents for my family...with or without those lowlife jerks at millenium teleservices....and Mr. Bill just may find out that "accountability" means not having the managers run and play all the time in dangerous ways , as well as not suspending people so the managers can put debt waiver money in their own pockets from the corporate manager raffle... don't get a lot of sales with no debt waivers and mess up their debt waiver numbers! or you have had it... i called the grievnce line yesterday...so i've probably had it anyway. but if it will be arranged for me to be fired....then good riddance to those losers!

i work at the central city call center for millenium teleservices. at the central city call center we call and telemarket credit card applications. the way they train people is to suspend them for one to five days when they do something wrong they didn't know was wrong! i have been suspended 4 times in six weeks by 3 different managers, and it was really just because they could. i have been working hard and i got at least 20 sales last week, all of which were "Good". i had one sale bounce at quality control this week because i answered a foriegn man on a call the wrong way, i thought he had asked what the credit line was.... it was hard to hear on the phone and they said that was a violation to proactively offer the credit line....even tho the credit line is proactively offered before going in to recording for the "sale". anyway i have very few hours this week and so my paycheck next week will not be adequate for gas to go to work...nevermind christmas! they are jerks... i think they just use people to get "sales" and they just keep hiring and hiring because all they do is suspend and fire and run people off...it looks shadier every day.... not to mention the silly string fight the floor managers and office managers had last saturday morning....there was people serviously trying to do a good job but the managers were running and chasning each other on the call center floor and also spraying silly string on people who did not get "on their feet". i will find someway to have christmas presents for my family...with or without those lowlife jerks at millenium teleservices....and Mr. Bill just may find out that "accountability" means not having the managers run and play all the time in dangerous ways , as well as not suspending people so the managers can put debt waiver money in their own pockets from the corporate manager raffle... don't get a lot of sales with no debt waivers and mess up their debt waiver numbers! or you have had it... i called the grievnce line yesterday...so i've probably had it anyway. but if it will be arranged for me to be fired....then good riddance to those losers!

I worked at the Elkins office and they have some problems, but nothing like what was described in the Logan or Bluefield offices. Our office does offer incentives to employees but they are things like a paid 1/2 hour or a 15 minute break. Also, we were told to ABSOLUTELY tell the truth about ANYTHING that someone we called asked and we were told where to find the information. We definitely were not to misrepresent ourselves in ANY way and they were continuously monitoring us to make sure that we were complying with all the rules.

For the most part, the managers were pretty decent. Once in a while you would have a jerk try to humiliate you or belittle you in front of others but this was not the way of most of the managers. Most managers were helpful and encouraging, which managers should be. What the bad managers didn't seem to realize was that once they yelled at a new person or sent them home early during their training period for not making the calls, they only hurt themselves and the company. Encouragement goes a long way with any employee in any company as a rule and negative remarks from bad managers just makes people do worse than they probably were already doing. It certainly doesn't cause an increase in productivity. Some of the managers should definitely have been canned for their attitudes but not the majority. A pat on the back and a smile along with a "don't worry about it...you'll do better tomorrow and I will try to help" does a lot more good and that was the attitude of most managers.

The percentage of money that actually goes to the charity is small in my opinion but then Civic is hired by these organizations and I assume that the organizations know all this.

Does anyone else have any different opinions on this office?

I worked in the Logan, WV office and was a top caller. I noticed lots of dealing being done with drugs and sexual activities with a Female mgr. and the Regional at the time of my employment. The female mgr. was on probation and had lied to the company about her whereabouts for a long while stating her son was sick, the truth was she had been serving a jail sentence for a DUI & stealing checks from a previous employer; when the former CCM quit and the ACCM was hurt on the job and had to be off - this female mgr. was stepped up to the ACCM position with a new Regional coming in. The two of them were constantly trying to intimidate the callers and if they didn't "have their fix" then all the tsrs were in for really bad days. When everyone was getting fed up with the unprofessionalism - cursing on the floor, calling people names, sexual advances and remarks, oh and let's not forget the prizes that were being given out for sales...."get a sale....get a pill". When I called the grievance line, it was "arranged" for my termination. Later the female mgr. was arrested and put in the regional jail and the Regional mgr. transferred to New Jersey - perhaps to get away from the heat. Because the sad thing is when the callers were calling trying to get help, somehow the mgrs. always found out who...letting everyone know that the calls are not kept in confidence and investigated...the grievance line people would just, I assume, call down and tell them what was being said, of course they were going to deny these things, however the female mgr. got so "careless" or should I say not caring - thinking she was untouchable that she had taken a picture holding a pain pill and smiling??????? She convinced corporate that it was a piece of tape????? In the beginning Logan was run like a business, however over the last couple years the place has plunged and it is the worst talked about place in Logan County. People are embarassed to say they work for CDG. Maybe if it got back to the basics and had sincere and helpful managers working again then it could work, but hey....if corporate don't want to know what's going on with their office then who are we to call and ask for help, it's apparent they don't care or don't want to know because "Mr. Personality" Regional Mgr. is still at corporate - just with a different title, the female mgr. did get fired, but only after she was put in jail. To end this I want everyone to know that there has only been a very few good managers and it's ashamed Logan lost their finest and have to settle for the "jokes" they have now.

I totally agree with everything you've said about CDG. You have left several things out that I think all who read this site should know, Ted.

I had the tramatic experience of working in several WV offices.

Let's begin with the Logan, WV office: When I began working at this office, I noticed the open drug market in the building. I watched managers, admins, TSR's sell drugs to each other. These employees would snort white substances, smoke marijauna, smoke something in glass pipes and boil substances in a spoon.

Management groped, fondeled, and had sex with TSR's and admins on a daily basis. These acts ocurred in the cubicles during normal business hours. Women crawled under the cubicles and performed in order to keep their jobs or to pay for drugs.

I complained numerous times to the "grievance line" I can't tell you the times I spoke with a man named Scott. He stated,"The issue is under investigation". It took Corporate well over a year to respond to these facts. Several people visited the office from Corporate, one was a black lady named Gerri and I think the other one was Walt, aka "the terminator"

I was present when the "terminator" called police and brought the drug dogs into the building. Keep in mind mgmt. had informed the entire staff of the "drug raid". Several people were termed that day. I decided to quit the next day.
Let's take a look at the Morgantown,WV office:As to be expected this office was just like Logan,WV except the drug usage was secetive in this office. In this office the drug of choice was alchol. The beverage of the day was alcholic drinks. Sexual Harassment was outrageous here. It was so out of hand that a "big wig" came from New Jersey to acess the situation. I watched people wrongfully termed due to them calling the grievance line and participate in the investigation. Once again I called the "line"and spoke with different people and was told"this is under investigation". I chose to leave this office as well.

Finally, the Bluefield WV office: This office is the straw that broke the camel's back! In this office drugs, sexual harassment, and wrongful termination ocurred from day one. Managers openly called people bad names in their presence. I overheard mgmt. bragging how easy it was to get TSR's and other managers fired. If a manager didn't like you,you were guarenteed an FTC.
The one good thing about this office was the admin staff. They kept TSRs informed of changes and what to do if they came to them with a problelm.

Of course, sex, drugs, and wrongful termination was the "standard operating procedure"in this office. I was informed the drug issue got out of hand here just like Logan WV. The "terminator" and Gerri visited the Bluefield office and heads rolled. To be expected police and drug dogs came and we were informed "the police are on their way". Many employees got up and went to bathroom,and/or tried to leave the building.

Calling the grievance line would have been a waste of my time. After all this ocurred I made a vow to never work for CDG or Millenium ever again. I would rather be unemployed the rest of my life. I tried many different offices and my experiences were the same in all.

I decided to do this research on CDG and discovered this website www.cio.com/archive/040102/angst.html The corporate office seems to have serious issues of its own. I concluded this is why they don't solve any issues in their offices. At this website I discovered that the I.S. department employees were at each other's throats at Millennium Teleservices, a telemarketing service provider.

Productivity collapsed as employees spent their time trading vicious e-mails. The managing partner tried everything to quell the hostilitiesfrom management training to group outings to ball games. They launched a yearlong intervention to root out the cause of the dysfunction affecting the 113-person IT department and found the culprit in the fractured lines of authority between the company boss, the CIO and eight senior managers.

Considering all the problems CDG had and continues to have, I would like to make everyone aware of the EEOC. If anyone has ever had a problem and you have made attempts to correct the problem and/or made people aware of how the problems is affecting you, please call 1-800-669-4000 and leave your name and address so they can address the problems. Also contact OSHA, this number should be listed on an OSHA poster in your call center break room. Once these agencies have been contacted, notify your local police department and make them aware of any and all illegal activities going on in your call center. I was not aware of this information and have discovered that if I would have taken these steps, CDG would have had to have taken these problems seriously and found a way to correct them. Making these organizations aware will protect your rights and your co-workers rights.

when you ask to be put on the do not call the managers told us to tell them that it may take up to sixty days, to follow rules and so that they would not be reported to corperate when in fact the managers told us to read the do not call rebuttals and then f3 f2 the call which ends the call and doesn't put their # on the list, it keeps our talk time up and our contacts low!!!