Kane County Young Life VLDP 1

Volunteer Leadership Development Project In 2003-2005 the USC Trojans won 34 straight games. The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 70 s won 4 Super Bowls in 6 years. The Chicago Bulls won 6 NBA Titles from 91-98. Great teams leave behind great legacies, and no matter who you root for you have to admire what some teams can accomplish. Young Life is no different. There are no mavericks in Young Life; it s a team effort. We work together in an effort to leave behind a legacy that is eternally significant. But we need more teammates. We need more people who want to invest their lives in the Great Commission. This Document outlines one approach to finding, training, and keeping some new teammates. Kane County Young Life VLDP 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS RECRUITING - 3 If there were one word that could sum up Young Life (other than Jesus of course) it would be relationships. Relationships between kids and leaders, committee and staff, between each of us and Christ. But in order to reach more kids, we ve got to find more leaders. Let s face it, there are kids in your school you just won t reach with the leaders you have now. The Harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. This section will talk about steps to take to recruit new relationship builders. Prayer Strategy 3 Pools of Leaders 3 Recruiting message walk through 4 Recruiting message/leadership application 5 & 6 TRAINING - 7 The goal of Young Life training should be to teach a potential leader why they were made for this, how and what we do, and to discover if they are who we are looking for. Year Long Training Calendar 7 New Leader Training Table of Contents 8 PLACING - 9 We strive to place people in the right place, where they re gifts and passion and the area s leadership needs meet. This results in quality teams, high retention, and good stewardship of talent. New Leader Placement Plan 9 New Leader 1 st Three Months Plan 10 EQUIPPING - 11 Being a volunteer leader with Young Life can feel like a constant pouring out of oneself. With that in mind, we need to prepare leaders to lead out of the overflow in their lives. This should consist of a relentless focus on Jesus and continuous training. Area Leadership/Equipping Plan - 11 SUSTAINING - 12 Some synonyms for sustain are: nourish, keep going, feed, support, prolong and maintain. Two important aspects of sustaining are caring for leaders, and evaluation. Another thing that prevents leaders from burn out is being part of a team. There are people around them to challenge them, push them, help them up, and encourage them. They are part of a mission community. For many leaders, their leadership team will become their small group. We want to create a place where leaders can be real and honest with each other. Caring for Leaders 12 Evaluating Leaders - 12 Mid-Year Evaluation 13 & 14 Kane County Young Life VLDP 2

RECRUITING RECRUITING PRAYER STRATEGY A commitment to prayer is essential for ministry ( Apart from ME you can do nothing John 15:5). If we are serious about recruiting new leaders, we need to be serious about asking the Lord of the harvest. We put the need for prayer out there. This happens at leadership and committee meetings, over lunch, and at church. It is a line item on every response card we send out and an ask we make anytime we have someone listening, and often even if we don t. During our Area Prayer Blitz (24 hours of continuous prayer each spring), we will pray for workers for the harvest We develop specific prayer requests (particular needs, particular people, etc) Our Leadership Coordinator and our Area Director each have a Matthew 9:38 Page We include our specific leadership prayer requests in our monthly prayer email RECRUITING POOLS OF LEADERS Young Life leaders come in all shapes and sizes. We might need to broaden our view of what a leader looks like. The goal is to identify places we can go to seek out potential leaders. Teachers Local Youth Pastors Churches o FBCG o St Mark s o Geneva Lutheran o Lord Of Life Alumni Young Life Kids attending community college Current Young Life kids as WyldLife leaders Wheaton College Regional partnership Northern Illinois University o Contact intervarsity o Campus Crusades o Email staff Judson University o Contact Dave Saunders o Set up booth in quad in fall o Email staff o Potentially speak in Chapel Network of Friends Current leaders network of friends Facebook create an ad Kane County Young Life VLDP 3

RECRUITING MESSAGE A friend who was on Young Life staff in the 1960 s once told me his model for recruiting new leaders was to find someone who you thought would make a great leader, lead them to Christ, then help them fall in love with this ministry. The point of a recruiting message is to give potential leaders the opportunity to begin to fall in love with reaching out to lost kids. In addition we want them to have a clear understanding of the role we expect them to fill. How To Go Over Recruiting Message / Application With A New Leader (Recruiting message / application on the following pages) Start with Young Life s purpose on front cover. Tell them they were made for this, our tagline for leaders, kids, everyone! Read Our Vision, this is what we re doing, if you become a leader, we (you and I) are going to introduce lots of kids to Jesus. Go over the Young Life leaders. Anyone can be a leader! Use your gifts, your interest to reach kids We go, we earn, we invite, and we communicate, all foundational to Young Life. Read through Being a Young Life leader is, and the develop skills sections. The point of this is to answer the question, why would I do this? Being a leader is great for kids, but it s probably even better for us! It s a community! Quote from Dobson, it s an investment in people. It s worthwhile. It makes sense. You ll learn great things by being a leader too! Talk about the commitment Tell them this is what we expect of folks. Being a Young Life leader is a high calling, and we require a lot. High light these points Excellence col. 3:23-24, we love enough too carefully and critically evaluate, we pay attention to the little things. Young Life leaders commit to pursing, we go after kids Involvement for two years, for kids sake (avoid abandonment feelings) and your sake (it ll probably take a year until you start to get in the grove and grow). Right now, I m not asking you to commit to all of that. I want you to consider committing to coming through our Young Life new leader training course. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Verse sums up Young Life. It s what we re about. We share Christ, but we share our lives because we love kids. RECRUITING MESSAGE/ LEADERSHIP APPLICATION NEXT TWO PAGES Kane County Young Life VLDP 4

Our Vision Our Team That every adolescent in Kane County will have the opportunity to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus Christ Christ. You were made for this. Lost people matter to God, and therefore to us (Lost sheep luke 15:4) We believe God wants to use us to reach lost kids. God is in the business of using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Every decision we make regarding how to reach the uninterested/lost is framed with these two ideas in mind: - kids have a deep desire to belong, - they question wheather you understand and care about them. Young Life Leaders... Are a picture of the Kingdom. They come from all backgrounds, ages and chuches. Think kids are great and want the best for them. Are committed to relational evangelism. Go to kids; they don t wait for kids to come to them. Earn the right to be heard. Are inviting in all that they do. Communicate the gospel in terms kids can relate to and understand. TM Staff Dan Griebel - Area Director Gary Camp - Mission Staff - IYCSC Adult Support Committee Justin & Sarah Ahrens Juli Razee Gary & Vicky Camp Dan & Hana St Gean Mark & Laura Herman Jeff & Laura Tarro Stephen & Carol Moshier Ken & Jen Webster Kane County Volunteer Leadership Volunteer Leaders Young Life Kevin Fogerty Aaron Hamilton Ian Montrose Sabrina Nauman Sean Rubin Rob Showalter WyldLife Brian Lux Jen Lux Dan Griebel Mallory Horn Ian Montrose Young Life is an outgrowth of the conviction that Jesus is everything that kids want most the most wonderful, the most attractive, the strongest, most gracious, loving person this world has ever seen. Jim Rayburn, founder of Young Life 321 Hamilton St. Suite B - Geneva, IL 60134 630-262-3939 - dangriebel@ylchicago.com www.kanecounty.younglife.org Young Life s purpose is clear and simple: to give kids a chance to see and hear what we believe is the greatest story ever told in terms they can understand and from people they trust. You were made for this. TM

TM You were made for this. YOUNG LIFE INVOLVEMENT: 1. What involvement have you had with Young Life (when and where)? 2. Why would you like to be involved with Young Life? 3. Please list your current major time commitments/areas of involvement. 4. Can you preform the Young Life leadership commitments? If not, is there a specific area that is a problem for you? Signature Date We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 The information contained in this application is correct. Should my application be accepted, I agree to be bound by the policies of Young Life. Relating to kids Applying, teaching, and proclaiming the Word of God in a relevent way Understanding the philosophy and principles of YL Planning and executing Young Life events to maximize their effectiveness PERSONAL: 1. Describe your Christian journey. 2. Who is the main person to impact your life in Christ? How? 3. Are you currently involved in a church? Which one? 4. Have you ever been investigated for, or charged with any form of child abuse, sexual misconduct or drug charges? Young Life Leaders develop skills in... The root of the issues related to contemporary adolescence has to do with leaving this age group to flounder on its own; the answer is relationships with adults who sincerely care. That is the sole need of this abandoned generation. Chap Clark, Hurt Please answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper and attach to your application. When I reach the end of my days, I must look back on something more than the pursuit of things. I will consider my earthly existence wasted unless I can recall a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to serve the God who made me. Nothing else makes much sense. James Dobson SS # Email Birth Date These commitments are not meant to intimidate. We are not looking for perfect people. Just people committed to growing in their life with Christ. We need folks who have a heart for Christ and a heart for kids to know Him. Address City St Zip Living as a disciple of Jesus Christ Praying for kids Having a sense of God s call Being a member in a church Excellence- this honors God and inspires people, this is attractive - Col. 3:23-24 Pursuing relationships with kids in their world, regardless of their response Participating in new leader training Attending kid events like Club, Campaigners, Camp, weekend retreats etc. Attending area leadership meetings and retreats Being a faithful member of a like-minded team Faithfully preparing for all commitments Involvement for at least two years Name Phone # Cell # Have front row seats to the greatest show on earth: watching God change lives Grow in your faith and be more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ Answer Christ s call to service (Mark 10:43-44) Be an instrument through which God draws others to Himself Be part of a relationally authentic community Receive Biblically-centered ministry training Experience holy fun, adventure, grace and truth Participate in challenging, rewarding, eternally significant work in the kingddom of God Young Life Leaders commit to... Young Life Volunteer Leadership Application Being a Young Life Leader is an opportunity to...

TRAINING Training is one of the most important aspects of developing a volunteer leader. In fact, when recruiting a new leader, we should recruit them to training rather than recruiting them to leadership. The training time will give a potential leader a clearer understanding of what Young Life ministry looks like and an opportunity to decide if they were made for this. YEAR LONG CALENDAR FOR AREA LEADERSHIP TRAINING: Below is a summary of how and when we do our training time throughout the year. Any potential new leaders that arise in between these training times are invited to all area leadership meetings until the next training time begins. FALL: Host an informational meeting about volunteer leadership. Everyone in the area knows about this meeting months in advance and works to invite any potential leaders to this meeting. We approach our pools of potential leaders to cast the net wide for this time. (Early September). Fall Leader retreat at the end of September. Mandatory for current leaders, potential leaders are invited and encouraged to attend. Run 5 week new leader training (October-November). Place new leaders and begin attending area leadership and team meetings. Run a one day training for high school aged WyldLife leaders (early September) WINTER/SPRING: Have second Leadership info meeting, similar to the day in the fall. (Late January) Regional Leadership Weekend at the end of January. Mandatory for current leaders, potential leaders are invited and encouraged to attend. Run 5 week training program (end of February-March) if any new leaders are present. Place any new leaders (before spring break). Have second day of training for high school aged WyldLife leaders (Early January) Kane County Young Life VLDP 7

NEW LEADER TRAINING TABLE OF CONTENTS Through our New Leader Training we aim to teach leaders the nuts and bolts of the Young Life ministry. We talk about Jesus as the foundation of the mission and the basic C s of Young Life. We conclude the training time with a focus on commitment and give leader (as well as area staff) the opportunity to decide if being a volunteer leader is the right fit. SESSION 1: WHAT IS YOUNG LIFE? (HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY) Do lesson one on the Principles of Young Life Read The Heart of the Mission by Jim Rayburn Read Young Life s Statement of Faith SESSION 2: SIGNATURE OF YOUNG LIFE: CONTACT WORK Do lesson two on Contact Work Read attached article Signature of YL Contact Work Read Ch 6 Our Contact Ministry in John Miller s Back to the Basics, DO contact work with team leader SESSION 3: CLUB AS A STRATEGY Do lesson three on Club Review A Typical Club: components and purposes Read How to Give an effective Message & Review Message Prep. Worksheet Attend Young Life/WyldLife club with team leader SESSION 4: CAMPAIGNERS & DISCIPLESHIP Do lesson four on Campaigners Read the Article What is Campaigners? Read Campaigner Lesson Outline, Campaigner Preparation Outline Attend Young Life Campaigners with team leader SESSION 5: COMMITMENT & PLACING Do lesson five on commitment Read and sign Young Life leadership covenant Complete background questionnaire Complete faith & conduct acknowledgement Complete driver questionnaire Kane County Young Life VLDP 8

PLACING "The place God calls you is where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." - Frederick Buechner We strive to place people in the right place, where they re gifts and passion and the area s leadership needs meet. This results in quality teams, high retention, and good stewardship of talent. NEW LEADER PLACEMENT PLAN The Area Director, with input from the area staff, makes all placements after the initial training time. These placements will take into account three major thoughts: o The new leaders calling (high school/middle school kids, urban, suburban, etc) o Current Team needs & dynamic o New leaders giftedness The Area Director and staff own this process because they own the training and know the most about the new leader and the team needs. After placement decisions are made, area staff meet with new leaders one on one to discuss the placement. Introductions are made to the team at leadership and to kids at Campaigners. Kane County Young Life VLDP 9

NEW LEADER 1 ST THREE MONTHS PLAN The first few months of being a new leader are the most difficult. At times it can feel like you re on the outside, pressed up against the window watching what s going on inside but feeling separated and lonely. The rest of the team appears to have everything figured out and you can t seem to get your foot in the door. Knowing this is a common experience, these few steps are in place to help new leaders succeed. The team leader will take all new leaders to the school within two weeks after their placement. Campaigner kids will be encouraged to introduce the new leader to friends at the school and at club meetings. Area Director will give each new leader a town tour of the area within their first month. Committee members will make thank you calls/letters to new leaders within the first month. Area Director and team leader will give new leaders specific, individualized, increasing goals over the first three months. (ex: do 30 min. of contact work, call 3 kids, meet two kids etc) Area Director will paint a big target for them, giving new leaders vision and plan to attain goals successfully. The team leader will place a new leader in comfortable up-front roles at club (such as leading a raffle, or announcements) immediately in an effort to get kids to recognize them in their new role. After three months of leading, the team leader and new leader will sit down and evaluate strengths and weakness observed so far. Kane County Young Life VLDP 10

EQUIPPING Some of the basic needs that every volunteer has are: - The tools to succeed - Follow up on tasks given - Tasks that match interest - Freedom to complete task their own way To prepare a volunteer for the ministry of Young Life we need to train leaders well, give input on how they re doing, put them in roles where they can succeed, and give them the freedom to fail. In addition, we need to constantly point people towards Christ as the source of, and reason for our ministry. ALL AREA LEADERSHIP ONGOING TRANING/EQUIPPING: Meet each week as a ministry team before club to review club for the coming weeks, pray together, talk about camp sell, and encourage each other. Teams communicate regularly via email due to distance In the fall run area leader overnight In January attend our regional leadership weekend Area Director meets with each leader one on one in winter, and summer to talk about life, ministry, and self evaluation. Provide opportunities for team to do easy successful kids work. Continuous one on one meetings between team leader and volunteers. Run bi-monthly leadership meetings where all teams come together o o o o The goal in these meetings are: 1. Lead each of us toward Jesus 2. Build Community 3. Be trained in Young Life ministry We Share a meal together We spend significant time getting to know each other honestly Yearly Schedule: August: Club Planning for semester September: Prayer meeting & why we do what we do October: Contact Work November: Fall weekend sell December: Christmas party and celebration January: Club Planning for semester February: Campaigner Vision casting March: Camp Sell April: Making the most of time with Kids May: Passion for the lost & End of year celebration Kane County Young Life VLDP 11

SUSTAINING Volunteer Young Life leaders are the heart and soul of this ministry. We cannot do it without them. Research shows that the more leaders we have the more effective ministry we can be doing. So we need to not only focus on finding new leaders, but also on retaining the leaders God has blessed us with. HOW WE CARE FOR LEADERS Our volunteer leaders need to know they are valued. We need to communicate to them that they are the greatest blessing, the best resource we have in this ministry. If we desire long term impact in kids lives, and in leaders lives then we need to care for leaders well to encourage them to stay involved. Leadership dinners food, fun, fellowship. We are inviting people to this community. Our goal is to make this meeting the one thing a leader wouldn t want to miss. Create community amongst teams; provide spaces to be real and honest Random calls of encouragement from area staff Christmas gifts from committee Thank you cards from kids (organized by staff) Relationally; share life together Be a resource for them. For example, help them find a job Committee members each choose a leader to care for by: o Calling them o Letters of encouragement o Inviting out for meals o Praying for them o Helping when sick, or in need o Offer for them to use your home for ministry o Send Birthday gifts o Send package while at camp o Invite to family events o Tell them thank you via email and facebook Each leader finds a prayer partner who will commit to pray for them daily HOW WE EVALUATE LEADERS Evaluation is an important and often overlooked aspect of sustaining. Volunteers want to know how they can grow and desire to be challenged. In addition, they want to feel ownership. Everyone wants to feel like his or her opinion makes a difference and is valued. Knowing this we use a self/team evaluation tool twice a year (at the end of each semester) as an opportunity to provide feedback and room for growth. Kane County Young Life VLDP 12

Young Life Kane County Mid-Year Evaluation 2009-2010 Please spend some time thinking about each of these. Be honest. Be specific. Use a separate page if necessary. PLEASE TURN THIS FORM BACK TO ME BY FRIDAY JANUARY 22nd!!!!!!! Name Email Cell Phone What were one or two highlights for you last semester? Who is one kid that you have fallen in love with this year? (that you are building into/discipling) Are you closer to Christ than you were in September, why or why not? What was the most frustrating or disappointing part this past semester? What would it take to make 2010 the year for Young Life in Geneva? If our team could do one thing better next semester, what do you feel it should be? If you personally could do one thing better next semester, what do you hope it to be? How are you doing with contact work? how many times a month are you with kids outside of club/campaigners? In what ways may I help you be a more effective leader, serve you personally/in your ministry, encourage you more? Kane County Young Life VLDP 13

Take Time to rate our success and failure as a team in each of the following categories, one being the low end and 10 being the high end. Please give specific feedback for each category if possible. Club 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Weak) (Pretty Good) (Rocks) What was positive? What needs work? How can we be more excellent? Contact Work 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What was positive? What needs work? How can we be more excellent? Camp (fall weekend, summer camp) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What was positive? What needs work? How can we be more excellent? Leadership Meetings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What was positive? What needs work? How can we be more excellent? Campaigners 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What was positive? What needs work? How can we be more excellent? Other: _(feel free to evaluate anything else here) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What was positive? What needs work? How can we be more excellent? Kane County Young Life VLDP 14