Nurturing & Supporting Religious Education Volunteers

Presented byPatricia Infante, Regional Faith

Development Consultant, CERGJan Gartner, Lifespan Faith

Development & Youth Ministries Consultant, OMD

Webinar Basics

Top Menu Bar: • Emoticons

• Message Box

Right side of screen:• Attendees

• Message Box

Lighting Our Virtual Chalice

Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.

~Maya Angelou

Introductions

Please introduce yourself by sharing the following:• Your Name

• Congregation Name

• Your role/job in the congregation

• Approximate Congregation Size & RE Enrollment

Overview

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

Supporting Your Volunteers

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

Why do people volunteer?

Special Challenges: the oxymoron of “obligatory

volunteerism” The polarity of call versus duty

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

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?

SupportCommunicate

• 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

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?

Customize your support

Find the right balance of• directing

• hand-holding

• empowering

for each volunteer.

Volunteer Appreciation & Recognition

Ritual Recognition• Volunteer Dedication

• Volunteer Appreciation

Ongoing Two Way Communication Team Meetings

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

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

End of the Year Recognition

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

~ Pierre Corneille

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

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

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?

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

Questions? Your Ideas?

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