Real-Life Member Scenarios Retention Real-Life Member Scenarios

Scenario 1: Change of Plans After serving four months, Paula informs her site program manager of her decision to discontinue service.  She now feels compelled to move in the direction of full-time ministry and wants to start immediately. Wanting to support Paula’s decision, you can’t help but think about two things: how would this affect the program since she has completed more than 30% of the minimum requirement which means the position cannot be refilled? And, how would her exit affect the organization’s retention rate? Important questions to consider yet, Paula is adamant about her decision. What would you do?

Scenario 2: ‘til hours or days off do us apart Audrey has fallen ill multiple times over the course of the first quarter. She has fallen behind on her hours and has taken a total of 12 days off as of the beginning of March. Once more, Audrey becomes ill with strep throat and her doctor recommends that she stay out of service for two days. Audrey does not want to miss service because she has her sister’s wedding to attend in April and has already gotten approval to take two days off. Audrey realizes her situation but hasn’t served extra hours to make up for missed time. What would you do?

Scenario 3: Commitment Issues Kat is a hard working AmeriCorps member who is really committed to her service. She is notified that a family member falls ills and she is distraught that she isn’t not there to help out. The next day, Kat informs her site supervisor that she has returned home to care for her family member. She asks to suspend her term of service, but has no timeline of when she will return to service. What would you do?