Organization Policies
www.windsorchristmaskettles.ca
Thank you for volunteering to be a Salvation Army Bell Ringer! The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign is one of Canada’s largest and most recognizable annual charitable events. Our 2024 goal is to raise $240,000 which goes right back to the Windsor district through community-based programs and services.
To coordinate and view your own shifts please sign in through www.windsorchristmaskettles.ca
Important Information:
Don't leave the kettle unattended: If you need to go to the washroom or leave your shift, please make sure you place the kettle into the gym bag and bring it to customer service. Do not take the kettle with you or leave the location. The kettle always stays locked and cannot be opened by volunteers.
ID Badge: Is to be worn while on shift. Pass it on to the next volunteer once you are relieved. Pack in back into the bag at closing shift.
Bell Ringing: Please ring bells OCCASIONALLY. Ringing the bells constantly may be distracting from workers within the area. Ring them to draw attention from time to time.
Behaviour while being a bell ringer: Refrain from cell phone use & smoking. Please dress in black bottoms, white top and red Salvation Army branded vest or Salvation Army uniform when available.
Threatening Behaviour: Please do not engage with anyone who may threaten you. Back away slowly from the kettle and call 911 or store staff/security only when you feel it is safe to do so. If
Unable to Make Shift: In advance, please remove yourself from the shift on the website or let the coordinator know so that others can book the shift. If it is short notice, please call the Kettle Hotline to let us know you will not be arriving.
Shift Responsibilities:
11am-2pm shift: You will go to customer service, tell them you are the Salvation Army/kettle volunteer and they will give you the supplies you need in the gym bag. Inside you will find a locked empty kettle, ID badge, Tip Tap battery & a red Salvation Army vest. The ID badge is to be worn and clearly visible. The empty kettle is to be hung off of the red kettle stan.
2-5pm shift: You will either be relieving someone so you will just take over for them but if there’s no one there it will be the first shift of the day so you will need to go to customer service to pick up the supplies. Someone will either come at 5pm to relieve you or if they don’t, bring the bag back to customer service.
5-8pm shift: A pick-up team volunteer, who will have an ID badge, will be coming to switch out the filled kettle and Tip Tap battery. They will arrive between 7-8pm, so your shift might not actually go until 8pm depending on when they arrive/ store hours. After they arrive you are done for the day. Pack ID badge, clear kettle and new Tip Tap battery into Goodlife fitness gym bag and return it to costumer service.
Credit Card Donations, Tip Tap:
Tip Tap donations:
A successful card donation will be signaled by a single beep followed by a second beep a few seconds after. If you hear two rapid beeps, that means that the tap was unsuccessful. Try again or another card may need to be used.
The batteries are replaced each evening, so if it dies, just let donors know they can try again next time.
Starting Shift: Located on the back of the tap options, plug battery pack into the three tap options. Press button to turn on battery pack. LED lights will appear once this device is connected.
Closing Shift: Unplug battery pack and placed back in the gym bag for the pick up team so it can be re charged at the office. A new battery will be in the supply bag for the morning shift.
Donation Receipt: If someone requests a receipt for the donation, please use the provided request form to have them fill it out and drop it in the kettle. Fore non cash donations, record the last 4 digits of their card with their contact information.
• Video: Bell Ringer 101
• Video: Tiptap Training Tutorial
• Video: Kettle Volunteer Health and Safety
If you are ever unsure of anything you can call the Kettle Hotline 519-971-5878 (on your ID badge). If any supplies get misplaced, please let us know and we can replace them. If anyone ever asks any questions that you're unsure of, please give them the hotline number.
Regards,
Sarah Mitchell
Christmas Kettle Coordinator
www.windsorchristmaskettles.ca
519-971-5878
Ringer 101 - Video
Bell Ringer Training - Video
