- Dress very warmly, especially if your volunteer shift is the late one.
- Wear flat, comfortable shoes.
- Standing for long periods of time is not as hard as it seems but having a wall to prop yourself against is invaluable.
- Eye contact, smiling and engaging the customers is key!
- Say ‘Hi, how are you doing?’
- Upon leaving mention ‘Happy Holidays’ or ‘Merry Christmas’
- Try to engage every person coming in or leaving the establishment.
- Keep a smile on your face, even if your eyes are smiling.
- Have an MP3 player in your pocket, with one ear bud on
- Seasonal music will keep your mood in check!
- Don’t, Don’t, Don’t leave the kettle! If you really need to go for any reason, leave the kettle with the establishments’ manager.
- Keep that bell ringing!
{what i learned}
- Chances of a donation are higher if you make eye contact.
- Some people are uncomfortable by your presence as a kettler and will do everything in their power to avoid you such as:
- Going in through a different entrance
- Having a fake telephone conversation
- Quickly averting their eyes
- Turning around as if they are looking for something
- Wealthy appearing people are less likely to donate for some reason.
- I was surprised at the generosity of some people who I would have never expected to donate! A local farmer, in full ‘farmer’ garb donated $50.
- I was just really happy to have donated some of my time to something bigger than myself, whereas I’d probably be at home watching TV.
While you’re here, donate to my virutal kettle! Cool widget I found while searching for a Salvation Army Kettle image!