RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

I'm often asked how we do volunteer training.

Our first training piece for a new volunteer is an orientation.  You can see that at this link.  This sets the them up for success.

After orientation, volunteers receive hands-on training in the specific area they will be serving in.  They shadow one of our "rock stars" who serves in that area.  What's a children's ministry rock star?  You can find out more about that at this link.

What about on-going training?  We hold live, on-going training 3 times a year.  The first one is in February-March.  The second one is in early August as we prepare for the fall.  The third one is in October-November.

The live training is held during the weekend service times.  We have found the best way to get people to attend a training is to have it when they are already at church.  On those weekends, they serve one hour and attend the training the other hour.

I believe there are 7 key components to a successful live training experience.  You can read about those at this link. 

Here is the handout for the training we are doing right now.  The goal of the training is to help volunteers become more effective at connecting with kids, parents, each other and God.  If you'd like the teaching notes that go along with this outline, feel free to email me at dalehudsoncm2@gmail.com and I'll send them to you.  Blessings.

When you bring a new volunteer on your team, it's vital that you set them up for success.  How you bring them on the team will set the tone for their entire serving experience with you.

We have a five-step process for on-boarding new volunteers.  The final step is attending a volunteer orientation.  The purpose of this orientation is to cover the big picture.  Hands-on, age specific, on-the-job training then happens in the age environments they will be serving in.

Here is the handout we cover in our orientation.  The orientation is held each weekend during a service.  Would love to hear about your volunteer orientation and see any handouts, notes, etc that you cover.  You can share them with us in the comment section below.

If you want to set new volunteers up for success, then make sure you have a new volunteer orientation.

This should be a key component of your on boarding process.

Here are some important elements to include in an orientation.

• Fun, "get to know you" icebreaker.
• Vision - share the "why" of what you do.
• Core Values - share "what" you are committed to.
• Principles that guide your ministry.
• Expectations.
• Safety and security procedures.
• General policies and procedures.

Here is the opening video we created for orientation.  Our orientations are held during weekend services and last for an hour.

Okay. It's your turn. Share your questions or thoughts about orientations in the comment section below.