recruiting and training volunteer catechists
DESCRIPTION
RECRUITING AND TRAINING VOLUNTEER CATECHISTS. Part 1 Who is a Catechist?. Overview. Understanding Volunteerism The catechist’s role as vocation Role description for the volunteer catechist What Church documents say What Scripture says. Outcomes. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
RECRUITING AND TRAINING VOLUNTEER
CATECHISTS
RECRUITING AND TRAINING VOLUNTEER
CATECHISTS
Part 1Who is a Catechist?
Part 1Who is a Catechist?
OverviewOverview
Understanding VolunteerismThe catechist’s role as
vocationRole description for the
volunteer catechistWhat Church documents sayWhat Scripture says
Understanding VolunteerismThe catechist’s role as
vocationRole description for the
volunteer catechistWhat Church documents sayWhat Scripture says
OutcomesOutcomes
As a result of this segment you will be able to: Identify the principal reasons why
people volunteer Articulate the role of catechist as a
vocation Create a working role description
for a volunteer catechist Place catechist’s role descriptions
in the context of Scripture and Church documents
As a result of this segment you will be able to: Identify the principal reasons why
people volunteer Articulate the role of catechist as a
vocation Create a working role description
for a volunteer catechist Place catechist’s role descriptions
in the context of Scripture and Church documents
Why People VolunteerWhy People Volunteer
AchievementChallengeCreativityIndependenceLeadershipRecognitionSelf-ExpressionServiceSocialization
AchievementChallengeCreativityIndependenceLeadershipRecognitionSelf-ExpressionServiceSocialization
“Idea Pool, Volunteer Support And Recognition"
“Idea Pool, Volunteer Support And Recognition"
The Catechist’s Role as Vocation
The Catechist’s Role as Vocation
“The vocation of the laity to catechesis springs from the sacrament of Baptism.”
(GDC #231)
“The vocation of the laity to catechesis springs from the sacrament of Baptism.”
(GDC #231)
The Catechist’s Role as Vocation
The Catechist’s Role as Vocation
“Indeed, efforts must be made to encourage in parishes and Christian communities vocations for catechesis.” (GDC #233)
“Indeed, efforts must be made to encourage in parishes and Christian communities vocations for catechesis.” (GDC #233)
A Sample Role Description
A Sample Role Description
Jesus’ Role Description for Discipleship
Jesus’ Role Description for Discipleship
“But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in one whom they have never heard?
And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?
As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10.14-15 (NRSV)
“But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in one whom they have never heard?
And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?
As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10.14-15 (NRSV)
Part 2: Recruiting and Screening
Part 2: Recruiting and Screening
OverviewOverview
Creating a positive “buzz”RecruitingTailoring toolsHandling objectionsScreening
Creating a positive “buzz”RecruitingTailoring toolsHandling objectionsScreening
OutcomesOutcomes
As a result of this segment you will be able to:
Communicate the image of your program in ways that motivate volunteers
Plan effective recruiting strategiesScreen prospective catechists with
confidence and purpose
As a result of this segment you will be able to:
Communicate the image of your program in ways that motivate volunteers
Plan effective recruiting strategiesScreen prospective catechists with
confidence and purpose
Our Religious Education Program Is…
Our Religious Education Program Is…
Creating a Positive BuzzCreating a Positive Buzz
Ministers and MarketersMinisters and Marketers
“No one who lights a lamp hides it away or places it under a bushel basket, but on a lampstand so that those who enter might see the light.”
Luke 11.33
“No one who lights a lamp hides it away or places it under a bushel basket, but on a lampstand so that those who enter might see the light.”
Luke 11.33
Creating a Positive BuzzCreating a Positive Buzz
Ministers and MarketersOwnership leads to
involvementQuality is key
Ministers and MarketersOwnership leads to
involvementQuality is key
“Use good paper and a good printing process…If you have something well-thought-out…prospective volunteers…get the idea that your program is concrete.”
--The Effective DRE/Recruiting
“Use good paper and a good printing process…If you have something well-thought-out…prospective volunteers…get the idea that your program is concrete.”
--The Effective DRE/Recruiting
“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”
Luke 16.8
“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”
Luke 16.8
Recruit Early and Often and Don’t Do It Alone!
Recruit Early and Often and Don’t Do It Alone!
Form a recruiting committeeStart early (Jan/Feb)Market everywhereJesus’ method of recruiting
Form a recruiting committeeStart early (Jan/Feb)Market everywhereJesus’ method of recruiting
Gender is not an indicator of time, talent, or willingness to teach.
Invite everyone to live their baptismal call.
Gender is not an indicator of time, talent, or willingness to teach.
Invite everyone to live their baptismal call.
ScreeningScreening
The InterviewThe ChannelingThe Paperwork
The InterviewThe ChannelingThe Paperwork
The InterviewThe Interview
The Joy of DiscoveryThe Joy of Discovery
“Catechist Interest Form”
“Catechist Interest Form”
Thank you for your interest in teaching! Please give some thought to the following statement and bring this completed sheet to our meeting on _____at____in the Religious Education Office. I look forward to seeing you.
1. My primary reason for wanting to teach is:2. When it comes to teaching…
My fear is that:My hope is that:I am excited about:
3. I feel I offer the following talents and skills in this ministry:4. I feel I need the following things to make me a good catechist:5. I am a person of faith because:6. The ways I would like to grow in my faith are:
Thank you for your interest in teaching! Please give some thought to the following statement and bring this completed sheet to our meeting on _____at____in the Religious Education Office. I look forward to seeing you.
1. My primary reason for wanting to teach is:2. When it comes to teaching…
My fear is that:My hope is that:I am excited about:
3. I feel I offer the following talents and skills in this ministry:4. I feel I need the following things to make me a good catechist:5. I am a person of faith because:6. The ways I would like to grow in my faith are:
The ChannelingThe Channeling
Never waste a volunteerNever waste a volunteer
Dismissing a CatechistDismissing a Catechist
InformInstructInspire
InformInstructInspire
The PaperworkConsult Your Diocesan Office
The PaperworkConsult Your Diocesan Office
Application for Parish CatechistApplication for Volunteer ServiceSample Reference LetterApplication Form for MinorsParish Catechist Referral FormCatechetical Staff Record
Application for Parish CatechistApplication for Volunteer ServiceSample Reference LetterApplication Form for MinorsParish Catechist Referral FormCatechetical Staff Record
“Catechists must be able to be, at one and the same time, teachers, educators, and witnesses of the faith.”
GDC #237
“Catechists must be able to be, at one and the same time, teachers, educators, and witnesses of the faith.”
GDC #237
Part 3: Developing SkillsPart 3: Developing Skills
Developing skillsDeveloping skills
Considering differences: responding to needs
Hey, who’s got time to train? I’m just glad they said “YES”!
Designing catechist training sessions
Considering differences: responding to needs
Hey, who’s got time to train? I’m just glad they said “YES”!
Designing catechist training sessions
OutcomesOutcomes
As a result of this segment you will be able to:Identify your challenges and
concerns in training catechistsOutline the needs and concerns of
new, returning, and veteran catechists
Use an assessment tool to plan catechist inservice opportunities
Apply principles for adult learning to create dynamic and effective catechist training
As a result of this segment you will be able to:Identify your challenges and
concerns in training catechistsOutline the needs and concerns of
new, returning, and veteran catechists
Use an assessment tool to plan catechist inservice opportunities
Apply principles for adult learning to create dynamic and effective catechist training
Considering Differences: Responding to Needs
Considering Differences: Responding to Needs
What comes after they’ve said “Yes!”?
Catechists are not a homogenous group
What comes after they’ve said “Yes!”?
Catechists are not a homogenous group
“New, Returning, and Veteran Catechists.”
“New, Returning, and Veteran Catechists.”
Who’s got time to train?Who’s got time to train?
Have you ever heard this…?Assessing your past year’s
efforts in four areas:OrientationTheological EducationSkill DevelopmentSpiritual Growth
Have you ever heard this…?Assessing your past year’s
efforts in four areas:OrientationTheological EducationSkill DevelopmentSpiritual Growth
Strong = 1, Good = 2, Mediocre = 3, Weak = 4
Training OptionsTraining Options
Independent training opportunities
Group training at the parish must be:Organized and systematicBased on needsBased on diocesan certification
Local, regional, diocesan, and national training opportunities
Independent training opportunities
Group training at the parish must be:Organized and systematicBased on needsBased on diocesan certification
Local, regional, diocesan, and national training opportunities
“Volunteers’ Theological Background and Skills Needs”
“Volunteers’ Theological Background and Skills Needs”
“Things to Keep in Mind When Designing Your Training Session”
“Things to Keep in Mind When Designing Your Training Session”
Designing Catechist Training Sessions
Designing Catechist Training Sessions
Recall one of your best or worst adult learning experiences
What ingredients made the experience:Very goodVery poor
Recall one of your best or worst adult learning experiences
What ingredients made the experience:Very goodVery poor
“Principles for Adult Learning”“Principles for Adult Learning”
Part 4: Supporting and Retaining Volunteers
Part 4: Supporting and Retaining Volunteers
OverviewOverview
Support and recognition of volunteers
Definitions and distinctionsSupport, recognition, and
role of the DREMotivation as a key
Support and recognition of volunteers
Definitions and distinctionsSupport, recognition, and
role of the DREMotivation as a key
OutcomesOutcomes
As a result of this segment you will be able to:Structure a support
framework to ensure catechist well-being
Identify “support and recognition” approaches that work for you
As a result of this segment you will be able to:Structure a support
framework to ensure catechist well-being
Identify “support and recognition” approaches that work for you
Support and RecognitionSupport and Recognition
Favorite approachesTeamwork is essential
With staff, catechists, and parents
All with parish communityEach and all as responsibleDRE as team leader
Favorite approachesTeamwork is essential
With staff, catechists, and parents
All with parish communityEach and all as responsibleDRE as team leader
Personal Support Is…Personal Support Is…
Knowing where to go with a problem
Knowing it’s OK to ask for helpBeing held accountableHaving others care in times of
needHaving others celebrate with
you in times of joy
Knowing where to go with a problem
Knowing it’s OK to ask for helpBeing held accountableHaving others care in times of
needHaving others celebrate with
you in times of joy
Individual Affirmation Is: SMART
Individual Affirmation Is: SMART
SpecificMeaningfulAuthenticRelevantTimely
SpecificMeaningfulAuthenticRelevantTimely
Public Recognition: Principle Approaches
Public Recognition: Principle Approaches
Formal commissioningAppreciation dinnerAwards or certificatesPublishing volunteer names
Formal commissioningAppreciation dinnerAwards or certificatesPublishing volunteer names
“Public Recognition Action Plan”
“Public Recognition Action Plan”
Support, Recognition, and the Role of the DRE
Support, Recognition, and the Role of the DRE
ResourcingSupervisionRecord KeepingAssessment for Growth
ResourcingSupervisionRecord KeepingAssessment for Growth
Ongoing Support, Recognition, and the
Role of the DRE”
Ongoing Support, Recognition, and the
Role of the DRE”
Why People VolunteerWhy People Volunteer