Called to Serve Session 1 Called to Serve

Called to Serve Session 1

Called to Serve • We are called to serve • As volunteers, we are • from our Baptismal anointed to be priest, prophet and king. As members of the Catholic Christian community, we promise to love and serve as Jesus did. responding to Jesus’ call to serve, and can make a tremendous impact in the lives of other people.

Confirmation • Confirmation preparation may have been our first real experience in a service role. • The sacrament provides the grace, gifts needed to be active, responsible members of the community. • Our program aims to make you feel: capable, competent, and confident.

Called to Serve Program • We want to help you by: – Looking at what you’ll be doing – Offering suggestions and guidelines to make your service safe, meaningful, and nurturing. You are ambassadors for Jesus. Through you, many people will experience the love of Jesus.

Today’s Plan • We’ll define rights and responsibilities. – You are an example to younger children – They notice how you act – They notice what you say and do—it makes a lasting impression – You are a role model This is a serious responsibility.

Appropriate behavior while working with children • Creating a safe environment • Establishing good behavioral boundaries • Keeping good boundaries between – You and the children – You and the other teens with whom you work – You and the adults with whom you work.

Activity One • What types of service or activities have you performed through your school or parish? • What was most enjoyable about your service? • What made it difficult? • How did you feel about your actions when you were finished?

The Plan • Today, we want to recognize that there are many diverse roles in the Church. • There are great gifts or charisms in every person. • However, we need to learn practical skills to help us and others succeed in our roles.

As People involved in Service • The Archdiocese of Detroit wants you to be: – Comfortable – Capable – Confident – and Christ-like in your service.

We Are Committed to • Your safety • The safety of those you serve • The safety of the vulnerable (children, youth, elderly, and people with disabilities). • We want to make you informed volunteers and employees--aware of proper behaviors for yourselves and others.

Training • This is to prepare you for service in your parish and the greater community to be caregivers. • You will need to rely on your training and the support of your adult supervisors. • Your supervisors want you to succeed, and you can rely on their help.

Expectations You Should Have: • To be properly trained – To observe or to assist an experienced volunteer – To learn on the job from another person – To ask what is in your authority to do – To ask about emergency procedures.

Expectations You Should Have: • You can expect to have the proper materials • You can expect to be trained on any equipment you may use • You can expect to be made familiar with the building or space that you are using • You can expect to never be left alone with a child or younger teen in your charge

Expectations You Should Have: • You can expect to never be criticized publicly if you make an error. • You can expect to never have to deal with an angry parent or guardian. – Refer the parent or guardian to your supervisor. – Let your supervisor know of any difficulty or incident that occurred that day.

Expectations: • These expectations apply to parish, schools, and • • • community service roles. Rules may vary, yet adult supervision and support is required. You should never be left unsupervised in any situation. You and the adult leadership are expected to maintain these guidelines.

Practice: • Simulations