Help Topics: 

    • How does it work?
    • How long do I have to ring?
    • What if I have to reschedule?
    • What if the weather is bad?
    • What do I wear?
    • What if my equipment is late?
    • Who do I contact in an emergency?
    • Does Bell Ringing count as community service?
    • How is the money used?

 

Bell Ringing Basics:

*For 2011, Bell Ringing begins on November 4th and ends on December 24th, excluding Thanksgiving and Sundays.

*Sign up for a time, date, and location that are convenient for you. You may ring as long as you want, however, we do ask that you take at least a two-hour shift.

*You also may ring as many times as you like, but if you’re going to sign up for more than five consecutive shifts please call our office (see Contact Us) and we will be happy to sign you up.

*After you’ve signed up go to your appointed location. A properly identified Salvation Army official will bring you a kettle and bell, and when your shift is over they will come and get it from you. If you are unsure that the person is from The Salvation Army ask for proper identification. Sometimes the drivers are running a little bit behind – if you have been there for over 15 minutes, call the emergency numbers attached to the kettle stand.

*Please note, if you are signing up to ring this season to fulfill any court ordered community service hours, you must have them approved first. Please contact 816-968-0372 before you sign up or your paperwork may not be signed by The Salvation Army.

*Also, if you are a performing group, will be playing instruments, have an animal, or anything other than basic ringing at your kettle; please contact our office at 816-968-0372 beforehand. We do encourage these activities as it may draw additional attention to your kettle and makes ringing more fun; but we may have to have prior approval from our ringing sites or store managers.

 

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Getting Started:

You may look for available volunteer slots prior to logging in, but you must login to reserve a shift.

1. Select the Salvation Arm Unit you want to volunteer for.
2. Select the Volunteer Activity.
3. Click SEARCH

 

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Search:

  1. Select a date: You cannot select today's date.
  2. Select a time: You can select a time that falls within 24 hours of today's date, but you must contact your volunteer coordinator to confirm.
  3. Select a city: Some areas cover multiple cities. You may select as many cities as you are available to work in.
  4. Click the Begin Search to review available shifts.

If you do not find a suitable shift, click your back button to change your selection criteria.

If you can't find a location you desire try the Advanced Search.

 

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Advanced Search:

Steps 1, 2 and 4 are the same as for the standard Search, but step 3 allows you to find a location by the name, address, city or zip code*.

  1. Select a date from the calendar: You cannot select today's date.
  2. Select a time: You can select a time that falls within 24 hours of today's date, but you must contact your volunteer coordinator to confirm.
     
  1. Location Search: You can use one or all the fields to find the location you desire.

Criteria:

Is = an exact match to what is entered

Begins With = will find any match that starts with what is entered

Contains = what is entered can be found anywhere within the selection

 *The zip code field can be used to find a range on zip codes (enter the first zip code in the 1st box and the last zip code in the 2nd box), or you can enter the beginning of a zip code in the 1st box and check Begins With to find zips for an entire area.

  1. Click Begin Search to review available shifts.

If you do not find a suitable shift, click your back button to change your selection criteria.

 

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Calendar Control:

 

 

Select a single day by clicking on it.  You can't select multiple days, but you can select the entire week by clicking on the at the left of the week you want to view availablity for multiple days within that week.

To view availability for the entire month click on the to the left of the days.

To go to the next month click on the in the upper right corner, on the same line with the month being displayed.

To go the the previous month click on the in the upper left corner, on the same line with the month being displayed.

 

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Shift Confirmation:

After selecting your desired location date and time, the Shift Confirmation allows you to request additional bells, add anyone who is sharing your shift with you* and add any special instructions you have.

* Only the shift-registered ringer will be sent an acknowledgement for participating.

Please check your profile email address if you do not receive a confirmation email within 1 hour after selecting time and clicking SUBMIT. If the address is correct, then click Contact Us on the bar above.

 

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Scheduled Shifts:

After you have reserved your shifts go to My Schedule to review all shifts you have reserved and to print it out.

If needed, you can also Cancel a reserved shift but 48 hours advance notice is requested. If it's within 48 hours of when your shift was to begin, please contact your volunteer coordinator directly, by the phone number listed on this screen or by pressing Contact and sending an email.

You may also add additional shifts by clicking Add Shifts and returning to the Search form.

 

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Volunteer Profile:

You may edit your contact and login information at any time.

When you have completed any changes you much agree to the Terms & Conditions before clicking UPDATE MY PROFILE.

Your password must be between 6 and 20 characters. It can contain numbers, letters or any combination, but cannot contain spaces.

 

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Your Volunteer History:

View a list of all volunteer assignments you have signed up for and haven't canceled.

After you have completed the shift and the total dollars raised has been tallied and entered, you can view the results of your efforts here. (Entering the tallies should be completed within 3-5 business days, but may take longer during the holiday season.)

Contact your volunteer coordinator if you have any questions.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions:

How does it work?
You sign up for a time, date, and location that are convenient for you. After your timeslot has been confirmed simply show up at the appointed location. Someone from The Salvation Army will come and bring you a kettle and bell(s), and return to pick it up when you are finished. DO NOT RELEASE the kettle if the person is not properly identified as being from The Salvation Army!! *Each volunteer has their own kettle so even if there is someone scheduled before or after you the kettle should be changed out.

How long do I have to ring?
You may ring as long as you like, but we do ask that you ring at least a minimum of two hours. If you are plan to sign up for more than five consecutive shifts please call our office at (816) 968-0372.

What if I have to reschedule?
If you find you are unable to make your scheduled ringing time please call the contact numbers listed next to each location on your schedule.

What if the weather is bad?
Bell ringing is very rarely cancelled, but if there is inclement weather, and you are unsure, please call the emergency contact numbers listed next to each location on your schedule.

What do I wear?
Unless it is otherwise noted you will be standing outside so dress appropriately!!! If it’s cold – bundle up! Wear lots of layers and especially good, comfortable shoes. Bell ringing is very rarely cancelled, but if you are unsure please call the emergency numbers listed next to each location on your schedule.

What if my equipment is late?
Drivers delivering and picking up equipment may have multiple locations and may be late. If have been at your location for more than 10 or 15 minutes please call the contact numbers attached to the kettle stand.

Who do I contact in an emergency?
If you have an emergency while ringing please call one of the numbers attached to the kettle stand. If it is a life-threatening emergency please dial 911.

Does Bell Ringing count as community service?
Yes it can! You will need to contact (816) 968-0372 or 0371.

How is the money used?
The following numbers represent totals from the Kansas City Metro area in 2009:

·         502,979 = amount of meals served in various feeding programs

·         146,026 = nights of lodging provided

·         86,186 = people received emergency assistance

·         87,797 = gifts distributed to homebound and elderly individuals

·         137 = children cared for at the children's shelter

·         27,164 = people served at local disaster sites

·         4,137 = children of inmates served .

·          2,586 = children and adults attended summer camps (divisional numbers)

·         110 = apartments for the elderly and disabled

In 2009 The Kansas/Western Missouri Division of The Salvation Army:

·         Helped more than 358,000 people in need of assistance.

·         Provided over 220,000 days of care for families, abused children and children in early learning centers

·         Served over 746,000 meals and snacks through our corps community centers

·         Delivered over 17,000 meals to homebound individuals

·         Provided more than 200,000 nights of lodging at our facilities

·         Delivered more than 270,000 gifts and toys to those in need

·         Visited 2,329 prison offenders and provided toys to 5,133 children of incarcerated parents

·         Provided 2,586 adults and children with a low-cost or free camping experience

·         Made nearly 28,000 visits to nursing homes residents and homebound individuals

·         Coordinated more than 16,000 volunteers throughout 93 counties

·         Provided recreational opportunities for nearly 125,000 people in our community center programs.


If you would like more information about our local programs and services please visit our website: www.salarmy-mokan.org or call (816) 756-1455.

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