Tag Archives: Training

Digital signatures for volunteer documents

Posted on 27. Mar, 2012 by .

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I have questions that have both a technological and legal aspects. More and more our ministries are moving toward a digital medium. One of the biggest holdups for many volunteer processes is “paperwork.” It’s frustrating as we have conversations with people, meet them in person and then say, oh, fill out these pages and then we’ll get the ball rolling. Some of us have taken additional steps in putting all of these forms online, but it still usually requires someone to download the form, print and sign it. Once this is finished, those volunteers either mail it in, hand deliver it or scan/fax/email back to us. For living in the 21st century, this seems like a bunch of steps from digital to analog and back to digital again. I’m wondering though if we can keep the process purely digital. Here are my thoughts followed by questions.

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Nashville Illuminate – Only 60 days away!

Posted on 19. Dec, 2011 by .

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I can hardly believe it, but the greatest event for kidmin volunteers serving in the local church is only 60 days away. It will be here in not time.

So, if you live within 3-5 hours of Nashville, TN, I highly encourage you to check out Illuminate as a viable training option for your staff and volunteers. Technically, the early bird rate expired last Friday, but I’m extending it through this week. Anyone who registers by Christmas can save some money.

I know it’s just a few days before the craziness of Christmas Eve services, last minute shopping and good family time, but I’d highly encourage anyone within driving distance of Nashville to consider registering this week. I’ve actually got a great story that I’ll post later today that should encourage anyone.… Read the rest

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Review: Childrens Ministry Academy

Posted on 02. Aug, 2010 by .

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A few weeks ago I was contacted by the Children’s Ministry Academy to do an interview about Children’s Ministry. Before that day, I’d never heard of this resource. The concept of an online educational resource isn’t exactly unique, but I really can’t think of anyone else doing it in this capacity. Honestly, I was intrigued. At first glance, I didn’t see this as something I needed, but something I might provide for new key volunteers or a resource I’d recommend to others just getting started in Children’s Ministry.

Here’s what I know. I completed my Masters in Education through an online environment. Although it was a different experience from what CMA offers, I’m a big supporter of leveraging technology to resource and equip people.… Read the rest

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#Orange10 Day 1: Catching volunteers up to Speed

Posted on 29. Apr, 2010 by .

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Over the years, I think I’ve attended more Darren Kizer breakouts than any other. He’s a great presenter and shares some great stuff!

Daren began is talk communicating about a crisis his church recently went through, when a former volunteer was arrested for molesting a child. What helped his church make it through and probably saved Daren’s job was the good documentation that was kept. All this tied into his talk as an introduction, as we recruit and train volunteers, it’s so essential to follow our processes, take our time and do things the right way. Don’t take shortcuts and document thoroughly.

Darren shared some great resources, one was a tool called the VSI which was tool that indicates people’s satisfaction about where they are in an organization.… Read the rest

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Learning from Jim Wideman

Posted on 05. Mar, 2010 by .

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jim-wideman-2This is my last post about Brother Jim for a little while. Over the past several days I’ve shared all the amazing thing’s I’ve learned from him, especially this year. I made a few adjustments to my schedule and my budget in order to spend another year in mentoring with him because I don’t think I’m done yet.

So, I’m gong to throw out a suggestion here. This is my blog and I’m certainly entitled to expressing my opinion here, right? Well, here goes.

Not taking advantage of what Bother Jim has to offer could be the greatest mistake you’ll make as a Children’s Pastor. Brother Jim has been serving in the trenches longer than many children’s pastors have been alive.… Read the rest

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Volunteer Week – Training Volunteers

Posted on 20. Feb, 2009 by .

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A couple years ago, Kenny and I and our colleagues experimented with training volunteers. We did a big expo and recruited nearly 100 new workers in January. At the end of February, we held a seminar-style training on Saturday morning.

Why did we choose seminar-style training? We wanted to give our volunteers the chance to dive a little deeper into topics that really interested or concerned them. Also, we were a multi-site church and we wanted our volunteers to see and feel the energy of the entire team assembled at once. We hoped this might encourage those who felt isolated in their work.

SCHEDULE

Our schedule looked something like this:

8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. – Continental Breakfast and Roundtable Discussions

9:30 a.m.… Read the rest

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