For security reasons, our collection devices boxes are not designed to be easy to open, are made of extremely tough material which is unlikely to be damaged by firm action when following these instructions:

OPENING:

1. Slit Ringseal^® all round edge of plug (broken line indicates).
2. Insert a suitable strong lever (a wide-bladed screwdriver, for example) in the gap at the edge of plug; if a Funnel Plug, opposite one of the two small arrow marks located within the inner rim of the funnel. DO NOT INSERT DEEPLY! This may damage the funnel!
3. Push down lever for about 3-5mm towards the under body of the plug and lever plug upwards.  Resistance will be encountered but the plug will pop out.
4. On no account should you insert the lever into the funnel or slot.
5. After removing the contents, press plug back into hole.

1. Apply new Ringseal^®, aligning message as appropriate.  The identity sticker (supplied free within the centre of the Ringseal^® should always be used; filled in on the sheet and stuck to the side of the box, where visible.
2. Ensure the Ringseal^® is firmly stuck by pressing down all around the edges.  If a string is present: whilst pressing down immediately either side of the string hole using the index and middle fingers, hold the string in the other hand (2-3 inches above the hole) and pull the string firmly towards the centre of the box.  This will relieve the Ringseal^® around the string hole and once again press firmly down around the hole.  Repeat for the other hole.

•  The security lids have especially been developed and designed in consultation with charity regulators before being produced.
• It was also considered important that the products are ‘durable’ and also looked professional, to give the supporters confidence when making donations.
• Our collection devices comply with charity regulations in every Australian State.
• Collections are secure and money cannot be easily pilfered.
• We do not supply products which are not considered appropriate by the charity regulators.
• Once you have gone through the initial expense of purchasing one of our devices, they can be used for decades.  As a rule, the purchase price for each device placed, is recovered during the first placement/collection.  Eg. for a Polybox Handbox placed in a bad position, collections will average around $22.00.  Boxes placed in fast food outlets (charcoal chicken places, fish & chip shops, etc.), chemists, newsagents, bakeries are often full to the brim, in periods ranging from three to six weeks.  A full Polybox Handbox contains a minimum of $80 but can contain as much as $ 150.
• Our devices can be used for many years and for many different events which makes them much cheaper and more environmentally friendlier than one-off use/disposable tins.  In fact, our customers have been using our Polybox^® Handboxes for up to 10 years.  After being opened and emptied they wash the boxes in soapy water and put a fresh security seal on them. They then look like “brand new” Polybox^® Handboxes.

Our products are recommended on many sites, because of the reasons stated above.

DO’s

• Apply to the Local Authority for permission to collect
• Wear identification and permit to collect
• Smile and be enthusiastic
• State clearly who you are collecting for; practise a brief introduction
• Make sure you can explain clearly and simply what donations will be used for (if asked) and how much the charity will spend on administration
• Leave a thank you, perhaps a small bookmark or leaflet explaining where the funds will go and where people can get more information, if interested
• Take a small supply of leaflets for those who want to know more
• Remember that you are the face of the charity, so always be polite
• Say “Thank you”, even to those who refuse to give
• Close gates after you
• Plan your route, ideally so you end up where you started
• Make sure you do not overlap, if more than one group is out collecting
• Ensure that you can see other collectors in your group at all times
• Leave behind a “We missed you” leaflet, if collecting using envelopes, or call back to collect from people who are out
• Involve your friends and family; one more street collected will make all the difference to the charity
• Encourage those you meet who are seriously interested in the charity to offer to collect their own street (or more) next year
• Consider writing to the local newspaper to explain about collection and try and get publicity
• Write to local newspaper to thank the general public and say how much your organisation raised
• Keep records so you know which areas are most generous, to plan your collecting next year

DON’TS

• Pick streets with long drives
• Think that affluent areas are necessarily the best givers
• Collect after dark, if possible
• Stand at any door for more than one minute; time really is money when collecting
• Assume that bells work; if you can’t hear it, chances are they can’t
• Shake your collecting box
• Walk across people’s gardens
• Stand where you can’t be seen
• Expect everyone to come to the door, even when you can see that they can see you!
• Have more than 2 people on each side of the street, if collecting in a group. Walking time is wasted time
• Discuss large or small donations in public where you can be overheard
• Take refusals personally; there are plenty more people willing to give
• Enter blocks of flats alone

STREET/FAIR COLLECTIONS

DO’s

• Apply to the centre, supermarket and Local Authority for the necessary permit and permission, up to 12 months in advance for popular periods like Christmas
• Have an attractive stand so people can see what their money will do
• Include case studies, human interest stories and plenty of photographs
• Get the staff of the shopping centre or supermarket on your side on the day and co-operate with them, particularly if you want to return another year
• Wear identification and permit to collect
• Smile and be enthusiastic
• State clearly who you are collecting for; practise a brief introduction
• Make sure you can explain clearly and simply what donations will be used for (if asked) and how much the charity will spend on administration
• Give a small bookmark or leaflet explaining where the funds will go and where people can get more information, if interested
• Take a small supply of leaflets for those who want to know more
• Remember that you are the face of the charity, so always be polite
• Encourage those you meet who are seriously interested in the charity to offer to collect next year
• Consider writing to the local newspaper to explain about collection and try and get publicity