The New Ashtabula Initiative builds working software for organizations in Ashtabula County, Ohio — townships, villages, and local businesses — and provides it to them at no cost. We call an organization to tell them something has been built for them. This page explains exactly how we ask for permission before contacting anyone further, and how to stop hearing from us.
Outbound calls are placed by an automated AI voice agent that identifies itself as Cyrus with the New Ashtabula Initiative at the start of every call. We disclose this plainly. Anyone may ask to speak with a person instead, and we will arrange it.
We do not buy, rent, scrape, or import marketing lists of consumer phone numbers, and we do not send unsolicited marketing text messages. We place an initial business-to-business call to a number the organization itself publishes for contact.
Consent is verbal and is asked for on that first call, before any further contact. After introducing itself and stating why it is calling, the agent asks for permission. It is instructed to use natural wording rather than recite a fixed line, so exact phrasing varies from call to call, but it always covers this:
“Before I take any more of your time — would it be alright if I briefly explain what we built for you? And, if it's of interest, could the team send you the link and a couple of screenshots by text or email — whichever you prefer?”
What happens next:
Consent is specific and narrow. It is permission for us to follow up with that organization about its own project. It is never treated as permission to send unrelated marketing, and it is never transferred to anyone else.
Nothing is sent during the call itself. The agent says the team will send it shortly after the call ends, and that is what happens — it never claims a message is already on its way.
If text messages are used, standard message and data rates may apply, and message frequency varies and is low.
You can withdraw consent at any time, by any of these, and it takes effect immediately:
Opt-outs are permanent. We do not require a reason, we do not attempt to talk anyone out of it, and we do not re-add a number later.
Calls may be monitored or recorded for quality and accuracy. If you would prefer not to be recorded, say so and we will honor it or continue with a person instead.
Phone numbers and contact details we hold come from public listings or from the organization telling us directly. We do not sell, rent, or share them, and consent data is never shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing. See our Privacy Policy for what we store and how to have it deleted.