Chapter 7 Organizing Your Team

Number of Helpers Needed Beginners - 1:2 staff to child ratio, unless parents are present Kindergarten - 1:3 staff to child ratio Primary - 1:4 staff to child ratio Junior-Earliteen - 1:5 staff to child ratio

Number of Helpers Needed A small Sabbath school (no more than 10 children)  needs a leader,  one assistant leader  one other helper (musician, receptionist,  secretary combined), minimum For a class of ten that would be a ratio of 1 staff member for every 2.5 children

Number of Helpers Needed For Larger Sabbath Schools (40-45 children)  7 small group teachers  a receptionist  a musician  a leader  an assistant leader and  an extra person to help children with their toileting or other needs

Organizing the Staff Division Leader  Provide vision and leadership for the division.  Plan and carry out the Sabbath school programs and other activities for the year.  Recruit other personnel for the division.  Organize assistants and other helpers to share in the responsibilities.  Conduct in-service education for division personnel.

Organizing the Staff Division Leader  Purchase supplies and keep accurate financial records of the Sabbath school's expenditures, Keep division supplies organized; keep an up-to-date inventory of supplies.

Organizing the Staff Division Leader  Provide a suitable room environment to encourage learning.  Be informed and constantly improving methods; inspire assistants to do likewise.  Plan for safety and legal issues.  Make regular contacts with the families of the children attending the Sabbath school division.

Organizing the Staff Assistant Leader/s  Work closely with the leader in all aspects of leading the division.  Assist the leader on Sabbath during the program.  Lead the Sabbath school program according to the schedule worked out by the leader and assistants.  Be responsible during emergencies and/or the absence of the leader.

Organizing the Staff Small Group Teachers  Prepare thoroughly for teaching each week.  Cultivate a close personal relationship with the children in your group.  Be responsible and punctual; find a substitute if unable to attend.  Help the children participate in the Bible learning activities suggested by the leader/s.  Sit with the children during the large-group activities and help as indicated by the leader. Help maintain a reverent atmosphere. Help the children who need individual attention.

Organizing the Staff Small Group Teachers  If responsible for teaching the Bible story in the small group, prepare thoroughly. Follow the suggestions for preparation outlined in chapter 3. Keep in mind children’s learning styles and sensory modes of learning, as well as their multiple intelligences.  Be constantly studying and improving teaching methods. Attend teachers' in-service meetings and workshops.

Organizing the Staff Small Group Teachers  Help arrange the room after Sabbath school each week.  Take a personal interest in each child. Pray for each child daily. Get to know the families of the children in your class and visit in their homes, if at all possible.  Keep the leader informed about any special concerns in the families of the children.

Organizing the Staff Secretary-Receptionist  Greet the children warmly  help with coats, and  help them get started with an activity.  Introduce visitors and new children to teachers.  Distribute the name tags (or other device) as children arrive.  Enroll new children  Keep records of attendance, birthdays, investment, promotion, enrollment, offerings, etc.

Organizing the Staff Secretary-Receptionist  Keep the leader informed of trends in enrollments, promotions, and birthdays.  Distribute papers and other materials.  Mail get-well cards or "we missed you" cards or, contact the child.  Keep a lost-and-found box.  Order the children’s magazines, Bible Study Guides, Teacher/Leader Guides, and other supplies if assigned.

Organizing the Staff Musician  Arrive early  Play soft music as children arrive.  Provide instrumental music  Lead out in song fests for older children.  Work with children who are learning to play an instrument or sing so they can participate in the music for Sabbath school.  Provide soft music as the children leave the room.

Organizing the Staff Musician  Maintain a file or notebook of songs used.  Help children learn songs or other musical activities as part of special events, such as a Christmas or Easter program for the whole church.  In small divisions, the musician might also serve as the secretary.

Organizing the Staff Large Sabbath Schools  A teacher coordinator responsible for securing teachers for each of the small groups each week.  A teaching materials coordinator responsible for supplying the small group teachers and the leaders with the appropriate basic materials needed for the Bible story and the Bible learning activities, and putting them away each week.

Organizing the Staff Large Sabbath Schools  A learning environment assistant who helps with making and setting up room decorations, repairing equipment, making new teaching props, etc.  A computer assistant who maintains the department records on computer; prepares newsletters, promotion certificates, awards, and other items; and helps older children with computer projects and research.

Organizing the Staff Large Sabbath Schools  Helpers for children are responsible for assisting younger children with their toileting and other needs, so teachers do not have to leave their classes. Two child helpers should be present each Sabbath.

Organizing the Staff Coordinator (or Superintendent) for Children's Divisions  Does not lead the divisions  Does she direct the leaders.  A resource person of experience  Help with problems  coordinate personnel, finances, equipment, and in-service training  Inspire everyone with a vision of ministry for children.

Recruiting Volunteers Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead. Divide the responsibilities. Ask the parents first. Ask teenagers and youth next. Consider each church member you meet. Let the congregation know about your needs. Make sure the pastoral staff knows about your needs. Make sure the congregation and pastoral staff know about the children’s activities.

Recruiting Volunteers Nominating Committee at least one person committed to the children’s programs. Encourage the formation of a plan to help all members discover their spiritual gifts. Keep a list of people who have said they would be willing to help.

Screening Volunteers Strong religious experience Appropriate models for children. Relate well to children Flexible in their thinking and acting. Give priority to people who have some understanding of child development. Willingness to learn new ways of teaching Commitment to attending training seminars. Ask people who know the potential volunteer about their suitability for working with children. Screen for previous criminal records.

Effective Leadership Recruits helpers according to their spiritual gifts and uses them in the positions where they can be most effective. Encourages each helper to be prepared and to arrive on time. Provides orientation and follows up to be sure the helper is functioning effectively. Delegates responsibility and authority. Occasionally checks to be sure everything is going well Does not interfere with the person’s responsibility or authority unless a crisis arises.

Effective Leadership Involves as many team members as possible in decision-making. Respects and carefully considers the opinions of everyone on the team. Uses his/her own enthusiasm to inspire others with the importance of the task. Quickly recognizes the contribution of each team member and thanks them publicly and privately. Provides opportunities for fellowship outside of “work time”. Effective leaders provide leadership--not dictatorship-- and everyone benefits.

Staff Attitudes and Qualifications A deeply committed Christian who supports the church. Models the values the church wants the children to learn. Calm and collected, organized, patient, consistent, and fair. Each adult must be warm, caring, and helpful to the children and their parents, as well as respectful of the children's needs and interests. Teachers should be knowledgeable about child development and teaching methods, or be willing to attend training sessions to learn.

KEYS TO ORGANIZING YOUR TEAM Decide how many helpers you need. Have a plan for recruiting and screening qualified volunteers. Organize the responsibilities into manageable bite-size pieces. Make sure your staff know their responsibilities. Show appreciation for your staff. Create a team spirit.