ATSI Logo

The values of being connected and participating in community are a core value at Direct Line TeleResponse. Whether performing community service or engaging in change within the telephone answering service industry, we pride ourselves in our life-long commitment to learning and sharing. As active members in ATSI (Association of Tele Services International) since our earliest days, we realize that sharing ideas and joining with other owners is a critical component to a successful business. As a matter of fact, “Learning and sharing” as a concept is so ingrained that  Larry , our founder and Vice President, conceptualized the tag line which has been adopted and used by ATSI.

Industry Service
Decades long members and active participants in the industry’s association and user groups, our executive staff has an extensive history of service within the industry. From Larry’s recently completed presidency of ATSI to consistent executive staff participation in International, National, Regional, and User-Group committees, Direct Line gives back.

• Larry Goldenberg – Former President ATSI, Former President California Association, multiple ATSI and User Group committees and ATSI board service.
• Ruth Goldenberg – Active ATSI and User Group committee participation
• Ken Goldenberg – Former Pinnacle User Group President, ATSI board service, and multiple ATSI and User Group committees

All three are very well known in the industry community, and their contributions have helped many over the years. Direct Line TeleResponse as whole is a highly respected and award winning service, recognized for their willingness to contribute to the growth and future of the industry as a whole.

Photo Credit: Matt Kilgensmith

Community Service
While service within their industry is a part of what makes Direct Line TeleResponse successful, it is also a company core value to give back and do projects for the community. When opportunities present themselves to do service to their community, Direct Line TeleResponse goes into action.

Ruth actively works in a local school district to help elementary aged school children to read, and actively participates in several community organizations.  Larry is a long standing member , former Assistant District Governor, and former president of the local Rotary Club. Through this association he has had many opportunities over the years to do philanthropic service such as giving dictionaries to local school children,  construction projects in Chacala Mexico,  and the refurbishment a high school in New Orleans after the Katrina disaster.

Coincidentally, during the horrible disaster of Katrina we were able to bring our community service and our industry participation together to accomplish a tremendous task for the American Red Cross.

Photo Credit: Publik 15

Answering The Call: A Special Opportunity To Give
As a proud answering service consortium member, we were tapped to assist the American Red Cross to accept donations from across the nation (and the world) after  Hurricane Katrina. As you are well aware, the need was tremendous and the generosity of the community response was unprecidented. The call volume was going to be tremendous, resources were limited, and there really was no time to hire additional staff to take the calls. Knowing this, Larry called upon his Rotary club members to spring into action, and they responded. Rotarians contributed their time to take calls and accept donations. As a part of this effort, we in collaboration with the Rotary Club were able to donate an additional $2,500 to the American Red Cross.

A unique and rewarding experience for the Rotarian volunteers and Direct Line staff , all were humbled by the outpouring of donations of all sizes from across the nation. At a recent meeting of  local Rotary past presidents, a retired cardiologist remembered a touching call he got from an 8 year old girl who called to donate $5. As the call with the 8 year old was coming to a close, the young girl said “I am going increase that donation to $8”. This treasured memory is just one of many from the Direct Line tradition of giving back.

On May 19, our office participated in a job shadowing program with Junior Achievement.  It was rewarding to get a first hand peek into the lives of the next generation preparing for the “world of work.”  The students were composed, respectful, interested and engaged during their experience. Students were able to observe the technology of our industry, learn about the services we provide, and discover a little more about how education translates into the working world. We are very proud to have been selected to participate in this fabulous program, and our entire staff thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to give back to the youth of our community in this very special way.

Meeting the Junior Achievement youth

Here is the email we got from the Junior Achievement Director after her visit:

“The time you and your staff spent with (our) students yesterday proves your dedication to serving our local schools. You were able to lend your professional experience as inspiration for students to understand the connection between education and the world of work. With an average high school dropout rate of over 30% in California, it is now more important than ever to give our students the tools they need to be successful. Through your volunteer efforts, you are helping us reach our goal of serving over 120,000 students in Northern California this year! Your generosity is building the future economy one educated citizen at a time, and every student deserves a great (Junior Achievement) volunteer like you….We could not do this without the support of you, your employees, or (the school) and their staff.  Keep up the good work!”

Best Wishes, Jenni

Thanks Jenni, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to doing it again!