The Salvation Army, nationally, is once again holding a bell-ringing contest to test the endurance of bell ringers at Red Kettles. Attached please find the approved documents (rules & regulations and release form) for this year's World Record Bell Ringing Contest.
The event will take place on Giving Tuesday December 3, 2013 at 12:00 PM (ET) and will end when the last contestant rings the bell for the last time. The current individual record for duration of continuous ringing at a kettle is 80 hours.
NHQ is asking that bell ringers sign up by this Friday, November 15. Also, NHQ would like to schedule a call with the bell ringers on Wednesday, November 20 at 2:00 PM. If interested individuals are unable to register by Friday, please contact Elyse Jankowski and let her know of your interest anyway.
The contest will begin on December 3, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Contest is open to individuals, 18 and older, including officers, staff, and board members
Contestants must first be signed up with the local unit as a volunteer or worker
Local units must grant permission in writing for individuals to participate
Contestants are required to have two witnesses present at all times during the contest (witnesses must be signed up locally as volunteers or workers)
Each contestant's participation must be overseen by an officer or employee with a Lotus Notes email account
Record attempts must take place at pre-approved Red Kettle locations, as determined by local Salvation Army personnel and with the express permission of participating locations.
Please read through the full guidelines for additional details.
Elyse Jankowski
Community Relations Associate
The Salvation Army New Jersey Division
4 Gary Road, Union, NJ 07083
Office: 908-810-3752
http://www.salvationarmynj.org/
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EVENT DESCRIPTION
What: The Salvation Army is hosting a bell-ringing contest to test the skill and endurance of hand-bell ringers at Red Kettles. The current individual record for duration of continuous ringing at a kettle is 80 hours. The measurement for 2013 will be in hours, minutes and seconds.
Who: All individuals 18 years of age and older, including but not limited to Salvation Army officers, staff, and advisory board members, are eligible for voluntary participation as contestants. As a pre-requisite to participating in the contest, interested individuals must first be signed-up with their local Salvation Army unit as a volunteer or worker. Also, the local Salvation Army unit must grant its express written permission to an individual to participate in the contest.
Each contestant is also required to have two individual witnesses present at all times for the duration of the contestant’s participation. Two independent witnesses must be present at all times throughout the contestant’s participation. Only individuals who have signed-up with their local Salvation Army unit as volunteers or workers may serve as witnesses. The local Salvation Army unit is responsible for approving the witnesses.
Each contestant’s participation must be overseen by at least one steward from The Salvation Army. The steward may be an employee or officer, but must have an active Lotus Notes email account and must be authorized by The Salvation Army to participate in the event. Stewards abide by applicable guidelines which are stated below.
Where: Record attempts must take place at pre-approved Red Kettle locations, as determined by local Salvation Army personnel and with the express permission of participating locations. Typically, the location will be a store front, mall or other place where The Salvation Army positions its Red Kettles. Events may be held indoors or outdoors, but must be protected from inclement weather. It is the responsibility of the local Salvation Army unit to obtain the express written permission from the local store manager who agrees to allow a contest participant at its store location.
When: The event is to begin simultaneously on Giving Tuesday December 3, 2013 at 12:00 PM (ET) and will end when the last contestant rings the bell for the last time. All contestants will begin at the same exact moment, regardless of time zone.
Why: The event will promote the Mission of The Salvation Army by helping raise awareness of the 123rd Red Kettle Campaign, as well as donations to help people in need.
UNIFORM GUIDELINES FOR 2013 SALVATION ARMY WORLD RECORD BELL-RINGING CONTEST
Please note that it is the sole responsibility of the contestant to ensure that all necessary health and safety precautions have been taken, including but not limited to a medical examination and/or evaluation by their physician. Contestants are required to sign a waiver of liability release form. The Salvation Army will not accept responsibility for the safety of participants or bystanders in any record attempt. It is the responsibility of the participating Salvation Army unit to ensure that all necessary safety precautions are in place and that all equipment used is suitable and thoroughly checked prior to the record attempt taking place and in compliance with any and all local health and safety laws and regulations.
General Information:
• The attempt must begin on Giving Tuesday December 3, 2013, at 12:00 PM (ET).
• The attempt must occur at an official Red Kettle issued by a Salvation Army office.
• The host location must be pre-approved by The Salvation Army.
• The owner or an authorized representative of the host location must provide express permission.
• The kettle site may be indoors or outdoors, but should be protected from inclement weather.
• The location should be open to the public, or for public inspection, 24 hours per day.
• Two independent witnesses who are 18 years or older must be present at all times throughout the attempt. Only individuals who have signed-up with their local Salvation Army unit as volunteers or workers may serve as witnesses. The local Salvation Army unit is responsible for approving the witnesses.
• Ringers must obtain express permission from The Salvation Army to ring on Sundays, should that be necessary.
• Local events can, and are encouraged to, be developed around the contest to build awareness and media attention, such as ringing with a local celebrity or elected official.
• If possible, attempts should be broadcast live online on the UStream platform.
• Ringers are encouraged to also host their own Online Red Kettle at onlineredkettle.org.
• The Twitter hashtag #RingItOn should be used during the promotion of the attempt by the participant or local PR representative.
• Ringers must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ringers must abide by all Salvation Army rules and location rules, including those regarding conduct and appearance, and not engage in any behavior contrary to the Mission of The Salvation Army.
• Each individual contestant must ring a bell individually, even when ringing as part of a group, and may not engage in a “team effort” or a “relay” involving taking turns.
• Only Salvation Army-issued or approved hand bells and equipment may be used for the attempt.
• Ringers must ring a bell continuously while at the kettle stand.
• Ringers must stand the entire time while at the kettle stand. Reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with disabilities.
• No ‘self-playing’ instruments or other aids may be used at any time during the attempt.
• Rest breaks are permitted.
• Ringers accrue 5 minutes of rest after each 60 minutes of ringing.
• Rest may be accumulated, combined and used at the ringer’s discretion, in whole or in part. (e.g., ringing for 4.5 hours accrues 20 minutes of rest. The ringer must ring another 30 minutes to gain another 5 minutes of rest.)
• Rest may not be added on to the end of the attempt.
• Breaks are the only time ringers are permitted to stop ringing, eat a snack, sit or lie down, leave the kettle stand, or use the restroom.
• Ringers may drink during the attempt, but that may not disrupt the ringing activity.
• Ringers may eat a small snack, such as a granola bar, during their break.
Salvation Army Attempt Representative:
• Prior to the start of the event, representatives must obtain from their ringer a signed waiver, releasing The Salvation Army of any liability. A .PDF waiver template may be obtained and returned by emailing: mediarelations@usn.SalvationArmyUSA.org.
• The attempt must be overseen by at least one steward from The Salvation Army, who will serve as a support team to track the attempt.
• The steward must have an active Salvation Army Lotus Notes email account, and must be authorized by The Salvation Army to participate in the event.
• The steward may rotate in shifts with other official Salvation Army personnel who have active Lotus Notes email accounts.
• The duties of the steward includes:
o Timing the attempt with a stopwatch accurate to 0.01 seconds.
o Arranging the kettle ringing location, including details such as power source, internet access and protection from inclement weather
o Obtaining express written permission from a representative of the contestant’s kettle ringing location prior to the start of the contest
o Interfacing with The Salvation Army National Community Relations Department, Public Relations agency and the Divisional and Territorial community relations departments before, during and after the contest
o Updating status of the attempt, including daily kettle totals if possible
o Confirming the end of the attempt
o Public relations
RECOGNITION GUIDELINES
1. For the attempt to be recognized by The Salvation Army National Headquarters, the ringer’s steward(s) must fill out an online form at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3YVDF82. The form must be submitted by Friday, November 15, 2013 at 5:00 PM (ET).
a. Digital photo(s) of the ringer can be emailed to: mediarelations@usn.SalvationArmyUSA.org
2. Attend a pre-event conference call on Wednesday, November 20, at 2:00 PM (ET). The call-in number will be provided in response to the initial email.
3. During the event, check-in at least two times per day at 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM (ET) from the pre-determined Salvation Army Lotus Notes email accounts to mediarelations@usn.SalvationArmyUSA.org. The check-in may also be from a designated Twitter feed, or via a live video broadcast on UStream (http://www.ustream.tv/). If possible, the 7 AM check-in should include the total donation amount raised in the kettle during the attempt to that point.
4. Immediately notify National Headquarters at the completion of their ringer’s attempt by email to, mediarelations@usn.SalvationArmyUSA.org, noting the exact day, hour, minute and second of the conclusion of their bid, in ET. The email will be the only means of confirm the exact length of the attempt. By sending the email, the ringer’s steward will attest that their report is accurate. If possible, the total amount donated to the kettle during the attempt should be emailed as soon as possible.
Please note, ringers may be provided a small commemorative token or paper certificate of participation, valued at less than $50. Ringers should not expect to receive, and are not guaranteed to receive, any other compensation.
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The Salvation Army 2013 Bell Ringing World Record Contest Release Form
Release of All Claims
By signing this form, I, ____________________________________, agree that I have read and agree to all of the prerequisites, guidelines and provisions and abide by such, which are set forth in “The Salvation Army 2013 Bell Ringing World Record Contest Uniform Guidelines.” I will abide by them as well as the direction of Salvation Army personnel. I understand that The Salvation Army 2013 Bell Ringing World Record Contest (the “Contest”) is a contest of skill and endurance in hand bell ringing to ring a hand bell at a Salvation Army kettle continuously for as many as 80 hours, which is the current Salvation Army world record. I understand that the Contest relates only to bell ringing at a Salvation Army kettle and does not relate to any other bell ringing records that may exist. I agree and attest that I enter the Contest freely and that I am participating on a voluntary basis. I certify and represent that I am 18 years of age or older as of the date of the execution of this instrument. I understand that there are certain inherent risks and hereby agree and desire to participate in the Contest as a (circle one) contestant or witness, notwithstanding and in spite of such risks. I fully accept and assume all risks whether before, during or after this Contest. I agree to assume and pay my own medical and emergency expenses in the event of personal injury, illness, sickness or incapacity.
I realize that this activity requires physical conditioning and I represent that I am in sound medical condition capable of participating in the Contest without risks to myself or others. I have no medical impediment, which would endanger others or me. I have taken any necessary precautions to ensure my own health, safety and welfare, including but not limited to, obtaining medical clearance from a qualified healthcare professional before the start of the Contest. During the Contest, I agree to disqualify myself if I feel my health or safety is in danger at any time and for any reason. I also agree to abide by any decision of Salvation Army personnel or agents, relative to any aspect of my participation in this Contest, including the right of any such person to deny or suspend my participation for any reason whatsoever.
I understand and agree that the Contest is to begin on Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 12:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time) and will end when the last participant rings the bell for the last time. I am aware that this is a charitable event designed to promote the Mission of The Salvation Army, raise awareness for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign, and raise donations to help people in need. With this in mind, I agree that The Salvation Army may change the guidelines, rules and terms of the Contest at any time at its sole discretion.
I hereby authorize The Salvation Army and its agents to publicize: my name, primary twitter handle to be used during my participation, Ustream (if available), my biographical information, including information about my relationship to The Salvation Army and my experience in bell ringing, my personal statement describing my reasons for participating, and digital photos of me. I agree and understand that The Salvation Army will use this information in publicity materials including but not limited to facts sheets, press releases, photos and other public and common means, including the distribution of my personal information through social media. I also agree and understand that my telephone number and email contact information will be used by The Salvation Army and its agents for logistical purposes pertaining to the Contest, but that such information will not be publicized.
In consideration for participating as a contestant in The Salvation Army’s 2013 Bell Ringing World Record Contest, on behalf of myself, my heirs, my personal representatives, successors, assigns and next of kin, I hereby acknowledge that the Contest involves risk of personal injury, death and property damage, and I hereby assume such risk and release and hold harmless The Salvation Army and its affiliates and their respective Trustees, officers, employees and agents from any and all liabilities, claims, lawsuits, losses, costs, causes of action or damages of any kind, and waive any right to bring a claim, demand, or cause of actions against The Salvation Army and its affiliates and their respective Trustees, officers, employees and agents, now or in the future, in each case in any way arising from or growing out of, either directly or indirectly, my participation in the Contest.
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