about being a student ministry volunteer
ExpectationsPolicies
• Volunteer leaders are expected to abide by the SVBC Youth Care Giver, Leader, or Worker Policies. These are available at the application stage. Personal Growth Volunteer leaders must be actively involved in growing in their theological knowledge while continuing to fall more in love with God! Involvement in an adult Journey Group for personal discipleship is required. Time Commitment/Volunteer Meetings • Please be on time for your team duties - It is hard to serve and be there for the students if they are here before we are. • Volunteer leaders have a debriefing meeting after each Wednesday activity; plan on attending. Debriefing immediately allows the opportunity for improved communication, brainstorming, and relationships with each other. • Volunteer meetings occur bi-monthly and are mandatory. Please ensure you are able to attend and arrive on time. If, for some reason, you are unable to attend, please contact the student minister. Personal Hygiene and Appearance • Be neat- Personal hygiene is important...breath mints are your friend. • Abide by the same modesty guidelines that we set before the youth. If you have doubts about the modesty of an article of clothing, or if an article of clothing is borderline, please refrain from wearing it. If a student believes you are not following the guidelines, they will be inclined to disregard the guideline and what they see as hypocrisy in you will lessen their respect in your leadership and authority. Personal Qualities • Be friendly- It is important that we put our best foot forward. If you are having a hard day, please communicate and pray with your team leader of student minister before service. • Connect students with a student leader • Connect new parents with the student minister or leader- The student minister wants the opportunity to meet all new parents. If the minister or adult leader is not available, please introduce newcomers to a student leader who will forward the information to the student minister. Communication • Email - You must regularly check your email as weekly updates are sent out to all volunteer leaders with important information. • Communication is key - please stay in touch with your team leader to let them know if you are running late or are not available to serve on a particular date. Also, all emails or text messages that have or imply a question require a response. • Be knowledgeable about programs and activities- Be sure to read leader emails, attend meetings, and drop by the information booth frequently for information regarding upcoming events. • Be knowledgeable about the application process to become a volunteer leader- It’s important to be ready to direct potential youth workers in the right direction. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to call upon one of the adult leaders or your Team Leader. Please be on the look out for anyone who might be a good candidate. Most people will respond to a personal approach, rather than an ad in the bulletin. Conflict • If a conflict arises, please handle it according to Matthew 18 and go directly to the source/person involved. Boundaries • Boundaries and guidelines regarding one-on-one interaction with and between students is included in the Youth Care Giver, Leader, or Worker/Safety Policies insert. All volunteer leaders must abide by all guidelines included. |
Common Misconceptions about working with students!
you must be young
you must have outstanding Bible training you must be a perfect Christian you must be a captivating communicator you must know all the answers you must act like one of the students you must have plenty of free time you must play guitar you must know the top 10 songs on pop radio you must be wild, crazy and dynamic you must be liked by all students you must own a 15-passenger van you are a baby-sitter Students need leaders who will...
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Areas for volunteer leadership
Security & Facility: manage facility preparation and striking;
monitor hallways, rooms, and parking lot for safety on Wednesdays and Sundays
Administration: helps with event planning, meetings, database management
Hospitality: manage group roles, birthday and special event correspondence, manage student hospitality team
Creative/Media: manage operation of audio/visual Wednesday and Sundays, train students in AV, create slide show presentations and videos, photography, graphic design
Ministry: Journey Group leaders, Discipleship small group leaders, Wednesday evening small group leaders
Ministry/Theological Direction Planning: map out teaching topics, theology, and topical outlines for Wednesday evening/Sunday Journey Groups in advance
Transportation: manage specially requested student transportation needs
Administration: helps with event planning, meetings, database management
Hospitality: manage group roles, birthday and special event correspondence, manage student hospitality team
Creative/Media: manage operation of audio/visual Wednesday and Sundays, train students in AV, create slide show presentations and videos, photography, graphic design
Ministry: Journey Group leaders, Discipleship small group leaders, Wednesday evening small group leaders
Ministry/Theological Direction Planning: map out teaching topics, theology, and topical outlines for Wednesday evening/Sunday Journey Groups in advance
Transportation: manage specially requested student transportation needs
