Recruiting and Keeping Volunteer Staff

Slide 1: Help Is On The Way ! Recruiting and Keeping S ubstitute S taff by V erda Rubottom

Slide 2: Why a Substitute Staff? Emergencies • Illness • Family Crisis • Vacations • Teacher needs a leave of absence • Teacher wants to attend adult class •

Slide 3: Organizing a Substitute Staff • How to Recruit • How to Train • How to Keep

Slide 4: Reasons People Hesitate to Serve • Not enough time • Feel they have “put in their time” • Not willing to make a commitment • Don’t want to miss adult class or service • Feel unqualified • Don’t feel called to • Not sure what’s children’s ministry expected • Already involved in • Spouse does not another area support involvement

Slide 5: 1. How to Recruit “Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:17 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Matthew 9:38

Slide 6: • Pray for guidance and wisdom • Be specific in your prayers • Expect God to provide the workers you need • Be willing to wait for God’s timing • Prepare for the workers God will send your way

Slide 7: Spiritual Qualifications • Born again believer • Faithful attendance for at least 6 months • Has attended pastor’s class, membership or similar class, or has transferred from another church. • Is in agreement with basic beliefs of your church • Supports the mission of your church.

Slide 8: General Qualifications • People who are good role models for children • People who really care about children • People who understand the nature of children, and their characteristics • People who are patient, kind and even tempered.

Slide 9: Look for People with Irregular Schedules Retired people • • School teachers • Military personnel Firefighters • Hospital workers • Police officers • • High school and college students

Slide 10: People with Special Circumstances Newlyweds • • New parents Earning a degree • • Working two jobs Taking care of elderly parents • • Physical limitations New Christians •

Slide 11: Recruiting Steps 1. Prepare job description. 2. Have children’s department application forms available. 3. Follow your church policy for approving potential teachers. 4. Share the need, and opportunities available.

Slide 12: 5. Meet personally with prospective workers. 6. Invite to workers orientation meeting, or regular staff meeting. 7.Give curriculum sample for volunteer to examine. 8. Allow volunteer adequate time to make their decision.

Slide 13: 2. How to Train • Have substitute staff meeting once or twice a year • Invite subs to regular teacher’s meetings, but don’t require their attendance. • Have teaching materials, resources, books and training seminars available for your subs as well as for regular staff.

Slide 14: Substitute Packet • Class schedules • Map of church site, classrooms, • Curriculum sample restrooms, Sunday • Children’s school office, department mission media/resource statement, policies room • Discipline policy

Slide 15: • Safety and • Bible story color security policies sheets • Well baby policy • List of children’s staff & phone • Job description of numbers substitutes • Parent’s newsletter • Nametag/ID • Games

Slide 16: Tips for Substitute Teachers 1. Arrive early 9. Be positive, pleasant 2. Follow plans, but be flexible and patient 3. Locate restrooms, exits, 10. Share a story, or play a offices, ushers game 4. Follow church policies 11. Have a sense of humor. 5. Use nametags 12. Follow check out policy. 6. Greet with confidence 13. Contact absent teacher 7. Have something to do, begin 14. Compliment children with prayer 15. Pray for children’s 8. Don’t abandon rules requests. 16. Stay in contact with the class.

Slide 17: When you Need a Sub • Prearrange times when you can contact your sub volunteer • Approved subs may be contacted by dept. leaders or teachers • Keep list of phone numbers and emails of workers at home and office. • Alternate teachers and “team” teachers, may also serve as subs

Slide 18: 3. How to Keep Substitutes on Your Team • Recognize subs as a vital part of your CE team. Connect them with other staff. • Match up assignments with their ability and interests. • Respect their decision to say ‘no’ when they aren’t able to fill in. • Respond to concerns and needs ASAP.

Slide 19: Provide staff phone numbers/ email. Keep sub-staff updated (email, letters). Remember birthdays and send notes of appreciation. Include in department social events. Pray for them, and encourage them to develop their teaching gift.