A few key rules: Don’t ring the bell obnoxiously; a light jingling every few moments will do; dress appropriately; engage people; have fun; and, by all means, no drinking on the job.

Those were some of the points covered Thursday morning during an orientation for 34 would-be bell ringers for the Salvation Army’s annual holiday kettle campaign.

The campaign begins today at 19 locations around Lawrence and continues through Dec. 23, with the goal of raising $100,000 for The Salvation Army’s programs for those in need.

“This is a real job. I want you guys to take this job seriously,” said Phyllis Wilson, a Salvation Army employee who is coordinating the local campaign.

Some bell-ringing applicants for the $7-per-hour job live at the shelter, at 946 N.H. Some are disabled, and some hold down second jobs. All are looking for steady work for the next few weeks, assuming they clear a background check.

“I do it because, No. 1, it’s cheerful. No. 2, it’s the holidays,” said Domingo Velasquez, 43, who has been staying at The Salvation Army for the past three weeks. “I’m going to do it as long as I’ve got the legs to stand.”

He said he’s battled substance-abuse issues but went sober nine days ago.

“You’ve got to put your mind to it,” he said. “God’s got my back.”

John Elizalde, who began staying at The Salvation Army this summer after losing his job as a sanitation worker in Shawnee County, said he was planning to do some singing: “I usually like to sing, ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’- you know, Nat King Cole,” he said. “Even though it’s a paying job, I sort of look at it as more of a volunteer thing – helping out for a cause.”

Margaret Rogers, Lawrence, fills out a Salvation Army bell-ringer application Thursday during an informational session for would-be bell ringers. The annual kettle campaign begins today and runs through Dec. 23. The Salvation Army will have bell ringers at 19 locations in Lawrence and hopes to raise 00,000.

Other applicants include Bob Beebe, who is disabled and plans to dress as Santa Claus, and a man from Emporia who said he plans to play the guitar.

“If you have these talents, gifts and abilities, please display them,” Wilson said. “One of the key things for this job is being very friendly and polite.”

After all, staff members told the workers, people don’t give to a cause or a kettle. They give to people.

About half of the people at Thursday’s meeting were rookie bell ringers. Others had tips to pass on from previous years’ experience: one man reminded others to give children a chance to ring the bell if they want to.

One person asked if he should say “Merry Christmas” or something more generic. Lt. Wes Dalberg, commander of The local Salvation Army, had a firm answer, given that The Salvation Army, after all, is a Christian, evangelical group.

“People have gotten tired with the de-Christianizing of Christmas,” Dalberg said. “We would much prefer to hear you say ‘Merry Christmas.’ … I think our Jewish and Muslim friends understand who we are.”

A few other rules: No smoking while stationed at the kettle; dress appropriately for the weather; If you show up for work under the influence, Dalberg told the group, you’ll be suspended for the day; If it happens a second time, you’re suspended for the week; If it happens a third time, you’re fired.