Volunteer Info

Adult Volunteers in Church Youth Ministry

ADULT VOLUNTEERS IN CHURCH YOUTH MINISTRY

The following are the procedures for being an adult volunteer in one of our church youth programs. If you are interested in what our volunteer needs are for a particular parish, hit your back button to return to the youth group home page and look under the "Recent Mailings" tab for "Adult Volunteer Opps." For the purposes of this document, a Volunteer "Staff" person is a person who holds specific responsibilities and expectations relevant to a particular role or position in ministry.

Interview. An adult interested in participating as a staff member will complete an interview with the youth minister prior to occupying any position. The interview will explore experiences which led applicant to this volunteer ministry; reasons for wishing to serve this way; attitudes with regard to junior and senior high youth; responses to typical hypothetical situations that may arise when working with youth; discussion of limitations of authority in position; supervision and evaluation procedures; and appropriate boundaries and policies. New volunteers may be asked for references from current volunteers or may be asked to provide a criminal background check.

Volunteer Manual & Agreement. Prospective adult volunteer staff will receive a copy of the Volunteer Staff Manual which pertains to Youth Ministry at the church at which s/he will volunteer. This manual contains the policies, guidelines, perspective and goals of our Youth Ministry. This manual also contains ministry descriptions and evaluations of all staff positions, as well as descriptions of programs in Youth Ministry. Prospective staff will need to read the Volunteer Staff Manual and sign a Volunteer Agreement before occupying any staff position.

Volunteer Skills Manual. Prospective adult volunteer staff will receive a copy of the Adult Volunteers Skills Manual and Workbook. The skills workbook contains exercises and helpful approaches to working in ministry. Sections in the workbook need to be completed as part of the training required for a position. See position descriptions to find out which sections are needed.

Youth Newsletter. All youth ministry volunteers will receive the monthly youth newsletter. This newsletter will list needs for adult volunteers in the programs as well as communiqué to volunteers. Consult this newsletter regularly for information that pertains to you.

Driving for the parish. All volunteers who will be doing any transporting for the parish will be asked to show a valid driver’s license, restrictions, and violations, as well as appropriate insurance coverage. This information will be recorded on a “Driver Information Sheet” prior to filling a volunteer position which requires transportation.

TERMINATION AS VOLUNTEER

Resignation. In order to provide for a timely and orderly transition between a volunteer leaving a staff position and a new one coming in, staff are asked to give reasonable notice of their inability to complete/continue their commitment.

Dismissal. A volunteer will be dismissed from service in Youth Ministry for severe boundary, policy, church or state law violations, for dishonesty on the part of the volunteer, or if s/he is consistently unable, even with additional training and supervision, to meet the standards of the position. PROCESS: 1. An interview will be conducted between the staff person and the Youth Minister to determine if allegations or suspected violations are accurate. If dismissal is warranted, the next step will be taken. 2. Volunteer will be notified of his/her dismissal. 3. If a minor is involved in the situation leading to the dismissal, parent(s) of minor will be notified that the volunteer is no longer part of the Youth Ministry. 4. Final dismissal of a volunteer is approved through the contract coordinator and/or Pastor at the Parish and The Youth Room, Inc.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Difficulties between staff do arise. Matthew 18 should be our guide. PROCESS: 1. Steps toward resolving conflict begin in the immediate situation, among the parties involved. All parties should thoroughly discuss the issue in question and attempt to resolve it. 2. The parties may appeal to the Coordinator if no satisfactory solution is forthcoming. 3. If the conflict involves the Coordinator, or if the parties are not satisfied with the outcome with the involvement of the Coordinator, the issue may be brought to the Parish Youth Minister. 4. Further appeals can be made following the accountability ladder as shown on page 2. 5. If all methods of resolution have been pursued within the parish and the issue cannot be reconciled, an Archdiocesan process is available.

PEER MINISTRY TEAM (HIGH SCHOOL)

The following is information about being a youth leader volunteer in any of our youth ministry programs. If you are interested in what Peer Ministry Roles are available at your church right now, click the back button on your browser to return to your youth group home page and check the link under "Recent Mailings" for peer ministry related material. If you are interested in Peer Ministry applications, and tests, look under the "Standard Forms" tab. To sign up for Peer Ministry, contact the youth minister at your parish.

Defining Peer Ministry. Peer Ministry is ministry to, with, by, and for people your age. It is to you when others are able to minister to meet your needs. It is with you when you minister to others alongside your peers. It is by you when you are able to help fill the needs of your peers. It is for you when you act on behalf of people your own age. We are called to minister to those around us.

Peer Ministry Team (PMT). The Peer Ministry Team is a group of people who have made a conscious decision to consistently engage themselves in the life of our parish and community. There are three areas in which individuals participate. Life Skills focuses on equipping people for ministry. Faith Reflection focuses on faith sharing and formation. Service and Outreach focuses on service and personal evangelism. People may participate in any area exclusively (can do one without doing the other).

Program Goals. The Peer Ministry program is a leadership-by-example development program. Its goals are to help people to be themselves, to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ, and in so doing, be an example for others to do the same.

Basic Leadership Program. This program focuses on learning and implementing basic skills in leadership. These skills will not only benefit you as a minister, but also in your family life, at school, at work, and in other areas! This is the “entry level” for peer ministry staff. Usually people begin in this program as a Jr High Youth Group Leader or a Jr High Retreat Leader.

Advanced Leadership and Peer Ministry. After you have had some experience in leadership and peer ministry you are invited to enhance and deepen those skills. Develop significant skills in ministry, personal reflection, and a strong ability to initiate and evaluate your own growth through more challenging projects and responsibilities. Assist others in learning basic skills by becoming an Assistant Trainer, Trainer, or Head Trainer.

Pastoral Team. This is a group of peer ministers who attend to youth and their families who are sick, hospitalized, or have experienced loss. (Open to persons in Advanced Peer Ministry only.)

Regional Peer Ministry Outreach Team. This is a group of peer ministers who assist with retreats and programs outside of their own parish. Generally, peer ministers have to do at least one retreat in their own parish before helping at others. Open to persons in Advanced Peer Ministry only. Members of this team receive stipends ($$) for some of their outreach activities.

Rick Craig, Executive Director

P.O. Box 480044

Minneapolis, MN 55448 USA

(763) 754-ROOM (7666) · (763) 862-2317 (fax)