P.M.R. PERSONAL, MEANINGFUL, AND

RELEVANT VOLUNTEER RETREATS

Darcey Dinh, Director of Formation and Recruitment

Introductions

What do you need to know about Darcey? Florida CVIF 2 years Married 5 years Favorite color is green YA ministry, marriage prep in parish/diocese Stetson University-Teacher Ed. Dr. Cindy Lovell (now the ED of the Mark Twain

House in Hartford, CT) is responsible for one of the most memorable statements any professor has said, “Everything you do in the classroom must be personal, meaningful, and relevant to the lives of your students.”

PERSONAL

Are the retreat activities personal to your volunteers and to your program?

Will the volunteers have a connection to the lessons/material?

Is there enough opportunities for self-evaluation?

 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

MEANINGFUL

What’s the purpose of each activity? Is it in line with the values and mission of

your program? Is there meaning behind the retreat

activity/discussion/project that makes it purposeful for the volunteer?

  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

RELEVANT

Are the materials up-to-date? Do the materials align with current

events/news/media/doctrine? How can you help the volunteers to live out

the values this year and afterwards? How can we apply the church teachings into

our daily lives?

  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?

Matthew 16:26

RETREAT SCHEDULE

5 per year: Orientation- 4-5 days Fall- 3-4 days Winter- 3-4 days Spring- 5 days Summer/Closing- 2-3 days

BASIC FORMAT

Opening prayer Sign ups for cooking

and cleaning, goals Community

activities/reflections Morning prayer in

different styles Worship/songs Book club and

discussion Goal setting Community free time

Technology Fast Meal prep Themed activities Presentations/visitors Reflection/Journaling Awards Service project Prayer Partners Feedback forms and

Thank-Yous Closing prayer

PROGRAM VALUES

Community Active Spirituality Social Justice Living Simply Personal Growth Vocation Discernment

ORIENTATION

4-5 days at the end of July Great Paper Chase Presentation on each of the 6 Values A special focus on community expectations & understanding

different personality types Budgeting- Understanding needs vs. wants Service Project Prayer Partners/Alumni Buddies/Community Support In- depth look at program policies and procedures Goal sheets Attend Mass and Commissioning Ceremony

FALL RETREAT

3 days in October: Thursday-Sunday Theme: Community and Active

Spirituality Low-Ropes Course High-Ropes and Zip line Spiritual journaling/The Examen Meditation Community Reflections Preparation for Winter Fundraising push

WINTER RETREAT

3 days in January: Thursday-Sunday Theme: Doing Justice/Living

Simply Social Justice

Immigration Human Trafficking Respect Life

Service visit/project Small Group Activities Privilege Walk St. Francis Activity

SPRING RETREAT

5 days in April Theme: Personal Growth/Vocation

Discernment Meditation Silent Day Letter to God Prayer Room Masking Vocation story Resume building Interview know-hows Talent Show Service Project

CLOSING RETREAT

2-3 days in June Theme: Personal Growth/Transitioning

out Reflections- Where did we see God this year? What's next- How to transition into real world

using values learned. Year-end awards and recognitions Presentations Volunteer Evaluations Re-Commissioning

SPEAKERS and TOPICS Non-profit leaders Mental Health Professionals Diocesan Ministers Service Site Partner

Professionals Local Parish Professionals Alumni Funders Seminarians and Religious

leaders ?

Vocation and Discernment Understanding Personalities-

Community living Leadership skills Team building Life Balance “Your Life Story” Life Transitions – taking what you

learned into each new phase Resumes and Interviews Social Justice- Catholic Social Teaching Living the Gospel Journaling Conflict Resolution Silent Meditation Respect for Life Ways to Pray What is living a Christian life? ?

EVALUATIONS

Quotes from volunteers…… “presentations and activities and most of all the bonding-because bonding is very important for community as we will be in other parts of Florida.”-BM“The day of silence was unexpectedly enjoyable. It challenged me to get to know myself better and helped me to better understand my relationship with God.”-RM

“The Lord really spoke with me when we covered discernment. Sr. Kathleen was a breath of fresh air and I was affirmed that I am on the right track and she pointed me in the right direction for the year.”-CS

“I thought it was really helpful to start this experience together to know everyone. I thought Jesus Calling was really helpful and listening to a lot of the speakers.”-JG “I wish that we could be doing something else during the paper chase while we waited for others to finish.”-RK

“I felt very busy- All of the activities were wonderful but I wish we had more time for a bit of rest and renewal as well as activities.”-TP

HARMONIZING

Invite other Volunteer groups to join you on retreat!

Humility of Mary Volunteers Covenant House Any other programs interested?

DESTINATIONS

Facilities with: Ropes Courses Quiet Areas Appealing grounds Food: Cooking VS Paying A good distance between sites

RESOURCES

FTE USCCB Other Programs: Letter To God (LaSallian

Vols) Professional Advisors CVN Shared Visions Books based on values ? ? ?

CLOSING

Retreats are just one of the tools we use in order to help in the growth of the volunteers this year:

Monthly meetings Quarterly service projects Book club Prayer Partners Community Involvement Spiritual Direction Communication (phone, text, email) ? ? ?