Salvation Army Revokes “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Bell Ringer Policy
FairCityNews.com | Dec 06, 2010 | Comments 0
Springfield, MO—Officials at the local Salvation Army post have revoked their bell ringer’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, opening the door to welcome more volunteers into the organization to help with fundraising this holiday season.
Professor Kitty Ujumba said, “before now the Salvos couldn’t ask specific questions about a potential bell ringers abilities. The original policy was adopted and modified in 1993 to loosely mirror what was going on with the military.”
Since the policy has been revoked, officials can inquire about a potential volunteer’s abilities to keep rhythm, sing while ringing a bell, maintain eye contact with potential donors, lyrical knowledge of holiday carols and can test the dexterity of ambidextrous bell ringers.
Caroline Michert, a longtime ringer, said, “I’m glad that we’re finding out more about our ringers’ talents. We can now have a more balanced representation across the city. One day, a store might have a signing ringer, the next day a normal ringer like me would be there. Before we weren’t allowed to tell about special bell ringing qualities.”
The Salvation Army is also currently reviewing its abandonment /desertion policy with hopes to ease the current terminology. Ujumba said, “As it stands today if a ringer goes to get a slurpie inside K-Mart and leaves the kettle unattended it is considered going A.W.O.L, which is a little harsh.”
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