Using Volunteers for Outreach Through Schools

The Opportunity The school has the opportunity to intentionally pursue contacts and to invite them to connect with the church. Connections

How? Follow-up Communicate Invite

Follow-Up Intentional Immediate Relational Regular

Follow-up Defined Gather contact information from all that inquire about the school Maintain a data base with contact information Maintain appropriate communications Refer contacts appropriately

The Reality No systematic data base used for follow-up Principal tasked with follow-up Time crunches No follow-up

One Possibility Volunteers can be raised up and trained to help in the follow-up of those who contact the school.

Staff / Volunteer Opportunities Staff – Secretary – Principal – Teacher – Pastor Volunteer – Maintain data base – Write / send information – Refer contacts – Be an advocate / guide – Invite – Pray

How It Works 1.Mother contacts school office 2.Secretary gathers contact information, questions, concerns, etc. 3.Secretary passes along information to principal and volunteer groups 4.Principal answers if needed 5.Volunteer groups start and maintain communication, referring as needed and connecting with peers

Information Gathering What information is critical? – Name – Purpose of contact – Contact Information Phone Address Preferred

Principal Responds – Timely – Accurately

Volunteers Response team – Provides immediate feedback

Volunteers Continuing communications Will Applicant be Enrolled? YesNo Communication

Communication for “Members” Volunteers solicit, coordinate, publish, distribute communication which includes: – Prayers – Invitations – Joys – Faith builder

Communication for “Members” What Lutherans believe? – Topics Baptism Prayer Marriage Commandments Jesus Christ Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Scripture Alone Worship

Communication for “Non-Members” Volunteers solicit, coordinate, publish, distribute communication Defined: – Those that were a member but are no longer Attrition Move – Those that inquired but did not / could not join Finances Class size

Communication for “Non-Members” Those who were and no longer – Quarterly Happenings Opportunity to visit Opportunity to support – Prayer – Finances

Communication for “Non-Members” Those who never were – Quarterly Information about child development Information about parenting techniques Information about congregation Invitation to congregation

Examples

Best Way to Communicate? – Paper – Electronic Social Media Website Apps

Caution Why don’t people respond to your s? They don’t get them! Bad addresses 30 percent of users change their address annually Segmented Inbox Gmail – “Promotions” parents-dont-read- s.html/2

Volunteers Data Team – Maintains data base of all contacts – Notifies appropriate people as needed i.e. prayer requests

Some Things To Think About Are contacts shared between church and school? Can church and school share a data base? Are contacts always gathered?

Volunteers Prayer Team – When a prayer request is returned, prayer team Prays Takes appropriate action Replies Solicits further prayers

Volunteers Tour Host / Hostess – Coordinate dates, times for tours Avoid vacation, field trip, special days – Notifies staff of tour date, time – Leads tour – Coordinates visit with administration

Volunteers “Mentor” Families – Attends with new family – Explains procedures – Helps with transition – Find answers – Prays with / for new family

Invitations All students and their families will be included in the activities, programs and opportunities of the school, such as, but not limited to service projects; chapel presentations; church presentations; prayers of the church.

Include In addition, all students and their families will have their contact information forwarded to the appropriate congregational board, committee or responsible person for inclusion in the formal outreach efforts of the church. These include mailings, contacts, visits, prayers, etc.

Invite Students who do not have a church home will be intentionally invited to take part in the activities of the school and the sponsoring congregation(s). Such activities include, but are not limited to worship services; Sunday school and Bible classes; vacation Bible school; age-appropriate gatherings – i.e. youth group, retreats, etc.; midweek instruction.

Invite In addition, parents of students who are not baptized will be invited to learn more about baptism and have their child baptized.

Training All volunteers must be trained so they may confidently and joyfully perform their functions – Expectations – Materials – Regulations / legality (Confidentiality) – Support – Consequences – Term limit

Recognition All volunteers must be recognized so they may confidently and joyfully perform their functions – Public – Meals – Thank-you – “Atta-a-boys” – Gifts – Prayers

Some Thoughts Volunteers are only as good as they are equipped Some functions can’t be done by volunteers Organization is key – everyone knows the flow and their part in it Formal contract with performance reviews and consequences Opportunity to terminate without stigma / guilt

Have Fun Volunteers enjoy their task – Not an obligation Volunteers serve with friends – old or new – Social time is important Intergenerational teams can lead to a smiles of service

Rejoice Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. - Luke 15:7 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 19:14