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Nurturing & Supporting Religious Education Volunteers

Nurturing & Supporting Religious Education Volunteers. Presented by Patricia Infante, Regional Faith Development Consultant, CERG Jan Gartner, Lifespan Faith Development & Youth Ministries Consultant, OMD. Webinar Basics . Top Menu Bar: Emoticons Message Box Right side of screen:

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Nurturing & Supporting Religious Education Volunteers

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  1. Nurturing & Supporting Religious Education Volunteers Presented by Patricia Infante, Regional Faith Development Consultant, CERG Jan Gartner, Lifespan Faith Development & Youth Ministries Consultant, OMD

  2. Webinar Basics • Top Menu Bar: • Emoticons • Message Box • Right side of screen: • Attendees • Message Box

  3. Lighting Our Virtual Chalice Let nothing dim the light that shines from within. ~Maya Angelou

  4. Introductions • Please introduce yourself by sharing the following: • Your Name • Congregation Name • Your role/job in the congregation • Approximate Congregation Size & RE Enrollment

  5. Overview • Recruiting Volunteers for your Program • Orienting & Equipping Volunteers • Communication • Ways to Support Volunteers • Keeping Volunteers Motivated • Appreciation & Recognition

  6. Supporting Your Volunteers

  7. Why do people volunteer? • relationship to the person who asked • feel honored/respected/flattered to have been asked • love for the institution/giving something back • desire to put faith into action • to connect with others • desire to accomplish a goal • recognition and feedback • personal growth • sense of duty Special Challenges: • the oxymoron of “obligatory volunteerism” • The polarity of call versus duty

  8. Recruit Explain the role: • Big picture: • How is this role/task a ministry? • Why is it important? • How does it strengthen congregational life and/or deepen kids/families' connections to the congregation? • How does it complement and/or simplify the work of others? • Specifics: • Time commitment • Scope • Expectations

  9. Orient Formal and/or informal orientation Foster competence and confidence Clarify the role • Remind volunteers of the big picture • Specifics: • How-to’s • FAQ’s • Parameters • What can volunteers expect from you?

  10. Support Communicate • Stay connected • weekly email to teachers • mid-year check-ins • your ideas? • Provide relevant info • Church happenings, important reminders • Remind volunteers of the role of staff/program leaders • Providing supplies, finding subs....what do you do? • Two-way communication • Encourage volunteers to contact you – when/how to do so • Request honest, constructive feedback

  11. Support Nurture • tips, how-to’s • fun or inspirational quotes, song lyrics as part of communications • pastoral support • provide a mentor • help transition out when ready • your ideas?

  12. Customize your support Find the right balance of • directing • hand-holding • empowering for each volunteer.

  13. Volunteer Appreciation & Recognition • Ritual Recognition • Volunteer Dedication • Volunteer Appreciation • Ongoing • Two Way Communication • Team Meetings

  14. Keep Congregation Informed & Involved in Recognition • Thank volunteers by name in your newsletter. Early & Often! • Display teacher/volunteer photos & bios • Create bulletin board space for classroom photos, teacher affirmations. • Different color nametag

  15. Keep Volunteers Connected to the Larger Community • Make sure they know how to obtain copies or podcasts of sermons. • Leave a copy of the weekly order of service in each classroom. • Provide a book for recording Joys & Concerns • Arrange for Sunday’s Off • Ask Minister to write letter of thanks

  16. End of the Year Recognition The manner of giving is worth more than the gift. ~ Pierre Corneille

  17. Gift Ideas • Small gift such as a book, a pin, a plant • Handmade cards or gifts from children • Equal Exchange Chocolate • Handmade Chalice • Class Photo • Uni-Uniques

  18. Evaluation of Volunteer Service • On-going and End of Year • Self – Evaluation • What worked well for you? • What skills do you need to develop further? • Did you enjoy your volunteer task? • What advice would you offer to the next person who fills this role? • Team/Program Feedback • Firing a Volunteer

  19. What If a Volunteer Quits? • Is the job too big? • Divide it up • Ask two people to share responsibility • Is the job necessary? • Just because you used to do it, doesn’t mean it is necessary now • Is it something you should pay someone to do?

  20. Resources • R.E. Road Map: An Administrative Guidebook for Religious Educators; get order form from Cindy Leitner, cindyleitner@gmail.com • www.uuintergenerational.org for Scripts • www.posiitivepromotions.com for Motivational Pins & Gifts • Reach-L Archives

  21. Questions? Your Ideas?

  22. Closing Thought If we all tried to make other people’s paths easy, Our own feet would have a smooth even place to walk on. • ~ Myrtle Reed

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