Six Steps to Get Started Web Seminar Manual

Transcription

1 Six Steps to Get Started Web Seminar Manual For more information contact: Karen Tripp MS LMFT This book is intended for use with the Cancer Companions Six Steps to Get Started Web Seminar. To register got 1

2 Table of Contents What is Cancer Companions? Page 3 Design Your Own Cancer Ministry Page 4 Cancer Companions Roles Page 5 Cancer Companions Training Program Page 6 Cancer Companions Ministry Components Page 7 Cancer Companions Team Member Roles Page 10 Volunteers: God s Plan for Impacting People in Need Page 11 Key Components of a Strong Volunteer Initiative Page 13 Design Your Own Volunteer Recruiting Campaign Page 15 Nuts and Bolts: A Few Last Details Page 18 Appendix: Cancer Companions Interview Form Page 20 Cancer Companions Contact Sheet Page 21 August

3 What is Cancer Companions? Imagine churches all over America intentionally reaching out into the lives of cancer families in their community. Imagine church volunteers being in the midst of a person s cancer journey to offer companionship and hope. Whether meeting one on one at a coffee shop or gathering with others in a Christian support group-- patients, survivors and their loved ones find the connections they need to draw closer to Christ on their cancer journey. This is the vision of Cancer Companions. Mission Statement To equip, train and support caring individuals to provide safe, supportive environments for cancer families to draw closer to Christ. Who is Karen Tripp? Karen is the founder and president of Cancer Companions. She lives in West County St Louis and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After writing God is Bigger Than Your Cancer and running Christian cancer support groups throughout St Louis, Karen founded Cancer Companions in You can learn more about her and her books at and she can be contacted at Karen@ktripp.com. 3

4 Design Your Own Cancer Companions Ministry 4

5 Cancer Companion Roles Cancer Companions Ministry Leaders Cancer Companions Peer Counselors Cancer Support Group One-to-One Peer Counseling In Treatment Post Treatment Caregivers 5

6 Introductory Seminar Six Steps to Get Started Web Seminar What? 40 minute 1 hour 15 minutes When? Who? Community Outreach Web Seminar 1 hour 15 minutes Cancer Companions Training All day live training cancercompanions.or g/events or call For anyone interested in lifting up cancer families cancercompanions.org/ events or call For anyone interested in beginning a Cancer Companions ministry in their church cancercompanions.org/ events For anyone interested in connecting with the cancer community cancercompanions.org/ev ents For anyone who is interested in becoming a Cancer Companion Monthly Continuing Ed Meeting 1 hour web seminar/ 1 hour meeting 2 nd Mon & Tues of month For everyone who is trained as Cancer Companion About? How much? Answers questions regarding: ~ How did cancer Companions begin? ~ Who in a cancer family needs help? ~ What materials are available to assist the Cancer Companion? ~ What training is available for Cancer Companions and ministry leaders? 1.Design your own cancer ministry. 2. Set up a prayer team. 3. Decide the roles of volunteers and leaders 4. Run a Volunteer Campaign. 5. Purchase church starter kit and begin attending the Monthly Continuing Education 6. Register to attend a Cancer Companions Training. Answers questions regarding: -How do I explain what Cancer Companions is to others? - How do people hear about our Cancer Companions ministry? -How do I build a connection with potential referrals? - What materials does Cancer Companions provide to assist me with outreach? Trains individuals on how to: ~ lead Cancer Companions Support Groups for anyone in cancer treatment, post treatment or their loved ones AND/OR ~ meet one to one for anyone in cancer treatment, post treatment or their loved ones No cost No cost No cost $110 per trainee plus cost of church starter kit Discuss and present various topics concerning cancer to further educate and support Cancer Companions. Offers specific training/discu ssion on specific topics covered in Participant Guide. No Cost 6

7 Design Your Own Cancer Ministry Components Cancer Resource Guide Contact Meet one time with any interested cancer family member. Identify relevant resources for cancer family from Resource Guide. Share their cancer story and why you are a Cancer Companion. Share support available through your church. Pray One-to-one Peer Counseling Meet 2-4 times/month for 4 months to give emotional support. Available to person in treatment, post treatment or their loved ones. Use Participant Guide to discuss faith, questions for God, healing, prayer, stress reduction, relationships, communication and healthy living. Pray. Weekly Christian Cancer Support Group Meet for 9 weeks with anyone in treatment, post treatment or their loved ones. Use Participant Guide to discuss faith, questions for God, healing, prayer, stress reduction, relationships, communication and healthy living. Led by 2 Cancer Companion Peer Counselors. Prayers, inspirational ceremonies, and interactive videos provided. Monthly Christian Cancer Support Group Meet for 9 months with anyone in treatment, post treatment or their loved ones. Use Participant Guide to discuss faith, questions for God, healing, prayer, stress reduction, relationships, communication and healthy living. Led by 2 Cancer Companion Peer Counselors. Prayers, inspirational ceremonies, and interactive videos provided. All materials and trainings for each of these types of ministry will be provided by Cancer Companions. 7

8 Design Your Own Cancer Companions Ministry Some churches provide: Only Cancer Companions Support group meetings. Only Individual Cancer Companions meetings. A Combination of both. Most groups are open to church members as well as cancer families in the community. Although the number of cancer families in need are great, having a community become aware of your new cancer ministry is a gradual process. You won t be overwhelmed with cancer families to serve. Two Possible Kickoff Scenarios which Combined Services: Individual Cancer Companions meetings Cancer Companions Support group meetings 1. Implement Volunteer Campaign. 2. Attend Cancer Companion Training. 3. Begin Individual Cancer Companions meetings with church cancer families. 4. Begin Monthly Continuing Education Meetings and Community Outreach Plan. 5. Begin Cancer Companions Support group meetings. Cancer Companions Support group meetings Individual Cancer Companions meetings 1. Implement Volunteer Campaign. 2. Begin Monthly Continuing Education Meetings and Community Outreach Plan. 3. Attend Cancer Companion Training. 4. Begin Cancer Companions Support group meetings. 5. Begin Individual Cancer Companions meetings with church cancer families as needed. How often should your group meet? Weekly Group VS Monthly Group More demanding on Cancer Companions Less demanding on Cancer Companions More connection among group members Longer breaks between sessions New starts of group encourages consistent outreach efforts. New members typically drop in for a session or two Difficulty focusing on consistent outreach efforts. Twice per Month is also an option. 8

9 Group vs Class format? Some churches are more successful referring to their Cancer Companions meetings as a support group others are more popular as a class. Both are run the exact same way with the same materials (videos and Participant guide). It may be helpful to use the name Cancer Companions Support Group or use the title of the Cancer Companions Participant guide for the title of your group or class: Seeing God in Your Cancer Journey. Logos are provided for both. EXERCISE Design Your Own Cancer Ministry Exercise Rate each of the following 1 if very important, 5 if not very important for your church. 1. Small Groups are common in our church. 2. Adult Bible studies classes are common in our church. 3. Pastoral care groups for topics like grief, divorce, single parenting etc. are common in our church. 4. Pastor care peer counseling such as Stephen Ministers, Care Groups etc are common in our church. 5. Reaching people coping with cancer inside our church membership is important. 6. Reaching people coping with cancer outside our church membership is important. 7. Caring for people as they struggle to be the hands and feet of Christ is important to our church. 8. How frequently a group or class meets is best determined by: staff decision room availability child care availability volunteers reference The best scenario for my church would be (circle your preference) We should begin: Individual Group Both Month to begin phase 1: If group they meet: weekly 2x month 1x month If group, we promote as: support group class Next phase add: Individual Group Both Month to begin this phase: 9

10 Cancer Companions Team Member Roles 1. Ministry Leader(s): Person or persons in charge of delegating responsibilities to provide a smooth running ministry. They supervise the recruitment and retention of volunteers, getting information about the ministry out to congregation and community and network with a couple of key cancer resources. 2. Cancer Support Group Leaders: A person with a heart for cancer families which will create a safe environment and encourage interaction for cancer family members to share their cancer journey within the group. In addition, they present prayers and materials to draw them closer to Christ. 3. One-to-One Peer Counselor: A person with a heart for cancer families which will create a safe environment for cancer family members to share their cancer journey. In addition, they present prayers and materials to draw them closer to Christ. 4. Administrative Assistance: To assist the Church Leader with their duties. 5. Supportive Church Staff Member: To provide support, guidance and assistance in the running of the ministry. Why do some church ministries start off great then fizzle out? One reason is that the leaders did not build a team. 1. Build the ministry for when you are no longer the leader. 2. Use Cancer Companions Training Program to prepare Team Members. (see Training Chart in Appendix) 3. Become friends with your team. 4. Delegate, delegate, delegate. The FASTEST way to lose a volunteer is to give them NOTHING to do. 5. Monthly Cancer Companions Meeting are essential. Learn new skills. Encourage each other. Plan ways for you ministry to be more effective. Three possible Leader Roles: Administration- - reserving room - Fielding phone calls - matching people in need to trained Cancer Companions keeping church staff informed of growth of two list: people in need/ cancer companions to serve them. Communication with Church Members - Arrange information of church membership of volunteer/ web/local training opportunities with your CC team. - Arrange information of cancer companions groups or events to church membership. Community Outreach -organize team to contact cancer resource in your area about your groups and events consistently. -prepare materials for team to distribute to these resources. 10

11 Volunteers: God s Plan for Impacting People in Need 11

12 Volunteers: God s Plan for Impacting People in Need Let s face it building a ministry completely on volunteers can be a bit intimidating. What if no one volunteers and if they do, what if they don t show up? The truth is working with volunteers takes faith. Do you believe that just as God has placed the needs of cancer families on your heart, He has also placed it on others heart? Do you believe that God will use you to connect with these people? In more ways than you can imagine, you are not alone. God is Bigger Than a New School When I was in 7 th grade I went to a new school where my big brother and sister were the only kids I knew. Is there anything more lonely than being the new kid? Starting school stressed me out but my mom was extremely confident that I would do just fine. Of course moms are supposed to say things like that however this time she was right. I got through the first day, the first week, the first semester and low and behold I had friends. Mom knew two things I didn t know. She knew I was prepared to make friends because in my heart I really wanted friends and she knew that there were other kids prepared to be my friend because they were looking for friends just like me. Of course that school was not the last new place I ve had to overcome. I have been to new jobs, new neighborhoods, new churches and new towns. Maybe you have too. Even when I feel with certainty that I am moving in a direction the Lord has taken me, each new adventure brings anxiety. Will I succeed? Am I prepared? Has the Lord really gone before me to prepare the way or am I all alone? Even people of great faith can have times when they feel all alone. Take Elijah. Elijah was an Old Testament prophet that the Lord used to do amazing miracles. I mean fire raining down from the sky type of miracles. Elijah not only saw these miracles but He was the man God used to perform the miracles and yet Elijah went through a time of discouragement. People were trying to kill him, and Elijah was convinced he was the only man left that believed in God. In 1 Kings 19:10 Elijah even told God I am the only one left. Elijah felt all alone. What Elijah didn t know was that God had gone before him. God had not only prepared other people to support Elijah, He had prepared Elijah to reach out to these other people. To revive Elijah, the first thing God did was schedule a meeting with him. He had Elijah come to a mountain and then God came to him in a still small voice. Yet through all of this, Elijah keeps saying I am the only one left. I imagine God smiling down on Elijah and slowly shaking His head. If telling Elijah there s 7000 believers was not enough to lift His isolation, God told him where and who to anoint as the next prophet. So Elijah anointed the prophet Elisha who did not leave his side for the rest of Elijah s days. Just like Elijah, God has prepared others to help you on your path and God has prepared you to find them. As you do the Lord s work, do these three things. 1. Listen for God s still small voice to know you are on the path He has chosen for you. 2. Let others know the path the Lord has led you on. 3. Look for the ways God has gone before you. Whatever path God has you following, trust me friend, you are not alone. (God is Bigger Than Devotions

13 Key Components of a Strong Volunteer Initiative Pray If it takes faith to work with volunteers, prayer seems like a good place to start. o Pray for God to go before you and to place this ministry on the heart of enthused and dynamic volunteers. o Pray for God to give you names and to lead you to the people whose heart He has soften. o Pray that God gives you the strength and the courage to speak up about this ministry to others. o Pray for God to lead you to support and develop these volunteer to do His will in the lives of cancer families. Let s pray for your ministry now Start a prayer team. Possible prayer team topics. For the Lord to - Bring volunteers. - Provide funds for trainings and materials. - To bring cancer families. - To give wisdom, strength, peace and courage to Cancer Companions. - Specific prayer requests for Cancer Companions and the cancer families. (if requested) Delegate one volunteer to notify your prayer team through: Bulletin board Prayer chain Take a minute and list 3 names of people for your prayer team. Discuss among yourselves the best way to contact and maintain prayer team. Recruit The Ideal Volunteer = A motivated individual + A passion for the ministry s work + The ability to accomplish the task Don t sell them to be a cancer companion. But do ask them. Cancer will be a soft spot for them. Find the task to fit the skill. Some are peer counselor type of people. Some are administrative. 13

14 What do I say to someone that s interested in volunteering? EXERCISE What s your Cancer Companion Story? 1. Why are you involved in Cancer Companions? 2. How did you become involved in Cancer Companions? 3. Cancer Companions is 4. The important thing I want you to know about Cancer Companions is 14

15 DESIGN YOUR OWN VOLUNTEER RECRUITING CAMPAIGN 1. GOAL: for them to attend a cancer Companions Training in your Area 2. TOOLS: Promotional Videos 2-5 minutes Session 1 Inner Most Thoughts Bulletin Insert Bulletin blurbs Book marks Trifold Flyers Posters Cancer Companions E-newsletter list Cancer Companions Contact Sheet And more 3. Plan: Always try to GET information as well as GIVE information (Cancer Companions Contact Sheet See Appendix) EXERCISE Where do I find volunteers? Place a 1 next to any idea you are excited to try, a 2 next to any idea you are considering and a 3 next to any idea you are doubtful will be effective. Attend church staff meeting, introduce Cancer Companion Ministry then ask them to complete a Cancer Companions Contact Sheet. (See Appendix) Announce in church bulletin Starting new cancer ministry- looking for interested volunteers. Contact. Place Cancer Companions Contact Sheets in pews for people to complete. Have information table before and after services for people to complete Cancer Companions Contact Sheet. Attend Adult Sunday school, care ministries (like care teams or Stephen Ministers), Bible studies, fellowship groups for seniors or other small groups and introduce Cancer Companion Ministry then ask them to complete a Cancer Companions Contact Sheet. (See Appendix) Repeat Volunteer Recruiting Campaign 2-3 times a year. 4. Interviewing: What is the individual willing to offer? What is the need? (See Cancer Companions Interview Guide in Appendix) CAUTION: There is a small window of opportunity when people are motivated to step out of their comfort zone and volunteer. If training is months away, they can attend Monthly Peer Counselor meetings/web conferences and help with marketing/promotions as they wait. Review Cancer Companions Counselor Interviewing Guide 15

16 EXERCISE Who can you think of? List 3 people you feel would make excellent Cancer Companions Peer Counselors. (Do not preselect! Find out what the Lord s put on their heart.) They can be from other churches if your church allows What places/groups in your church can you tell the Cancer Companions story so potential volunteers will hear? Equip Volunteer with BEST potential to succeed = well-trained + right resources Time spent in training will reap rewards in the quality of their work and in the level of their personal satisfaction. Suggestions for equipping volunteers include a. Information Sessions With each volunteer recruiting campaign, hold an information session to: 5. Discuss their role in ministry. (1:1 peer counselor, group leader, ministry leader or administrative assistant) 6. Decide which task from the Design Your Own Marketing Plan each person will accomplish. (See checklist in appendix) a. Setting Expectations Provide a clear position descriptions- Team Member Roles b. Equipping Materials Cancer Companions Participant Guide Innermost Thoughts: an Interactive Video Ministry Leader s Guide Cancer Companions Training Guide Cancer Resource Guide Companions Connection exclusive website materials o Equipping Training Events- How to Develop a Cancer Ministry 40 Minute Web Seminar Ministry Leaders Training Web Seminar Peer Counselor Training LIVE Seminar Monthly Peer Counselor Web conferences, 16

17 Retaining A productive volunteer = feeling valued + feeling appreciated = higher quality Suggestions for retaining volunteers include c. Build a Team Part of the fuel to becoming a Cancer Companion is the friendship of other Cancer Companions. d. Monthly Peer Counselor Meetings- critical for building teamwork and providing support. e. Evaluating Provide feedback to all volunteers and discuss future role(s) where they are best suited to serve. Participant, volunteers and church leaders will evaluate ministry every 6 months to gather ideas for improvements. f. Motivating Share how their work matters at monthly Ministry Leader led supervision meetings. g. Recognizing Give credit to all members of the team at volunteer installations and yearly Cancer Survivor Sunday h. Celebrations Periodically provide celebrations for blessings on ministry and team members. Christmas Party and/or summer picnic. Be the fun ministry- it builds teamwork. Leading A positive place for volunteers = well-run organization + all parts are working for vision Components to leading volunteers include i. Delegate, delegate, delegate A servant heart wants to serve. Assign even small tasks. j. Supervision People are available for questions and assistance as needed k. Team Building Volunteers are valued members of the team l. Organization Clear direction, efficiently run, accomplishing the goals m. Networking Working collaboratively for the good of all Protecting This area is too often ignored. Volunteers feel better about their work and are more likely to volunteer with an organization that has a solid foundation of business practices. Organizations need to mange and minimize their risk. n. Ask your church if they require Background Checks or a Liability Release Forms o. Know when to refer to a pastor and/or licensed counselor. 17

18 Nuts and Bolts: A Few Last Details Administrative Items: Make sure everyone at the church office who answers the phone knows about this new ministry and that you are the contact if anyone calls to become participants or volunteers. (Make info sheet for receptionist, etc desk) If signing up for peer counseling or group, tell them on the phone the cost of the book. It s OK to have a waiting list of people who want a Cancer Companions group or peer counselor. You would be amazed at the things God can do with waiting lists. Share with your church staff contact the situation and ask others to pray that the need will be filled. God can do amazing things with waiting lists! Group Items: Following groups, group leaders will evaluate each member and recommend one-to-one peer counseling for anyone they feel it is appropriate. Reserve a room that is as comfortable as possible. Some cancer survivors will have a struggle sitting in hard plastic chairs for any length of time. Cushioned chairs are better. Couches and lounges the BEST! Christian Cancer Support group: There is no such thing as too small a group. If only 1 or 2 people come, then the Lord decided those folks need more attention and TLC. It can get too large participants is probably a maximum with 2 co-leaders. If larger, enlist more leaders and split into 2 groups. If signing up for a group, tell them on the phone that the expectation is for them to attend 8 of the 9 sessions. You know things happen but this is the expectation. If your church has not already purchased a Cancer Companion Starter Kit you will want to do so in order to: 1. Make promotional flyers and materials in Companions Connection. 2. Chat with other Cancer Companion Ministry Leaders. 3. Register for LIVE! Peer Counseling Training session. 4. Add your church to the Find a Cancer Companion page on web site. 5. Add your group to the Cancer Companions Events page on web site. 6. Get list of Internet Community Calendars for you to list your next Cancer Companion event on. 7. Receive Peer Counselor Training Guide and the Leaders Version of the Cancer Companions Participant Guide. 8. Print your churches version of the Cancer Resource Guide. 18

19 APPENDIX 19

20 Cancer Companions INTERVIEW GUIDE This form is to be completed by the Ministry Leader not the potential volunteer. The interview can be done in person or on the phone. The leader should ask the following questions and fill in the areas as indicated. I. Contact Information: a) Name b) address c) Phone number d) Church Name and address II. Ask them how did they hear about Cancer Companions? III. Ask them to tell you a little about themselves (background, work experiences, past volunteer roles, and specifically their faith story). Tell them you will explain a little about Cancer Companions and then answer any questions they might have. Review the following with the volunteer. Cancer Companions purpose is to show church volunteers how to connect with cancer families to lift them up and draw them closer Christ. The way this is done is by training volunteers to serve in the following roles: Lead Christian cancer support groups Give one-to-one peer support Manage the workings of a church cancer ministry Run Cancer Resource Guide one-to-one sessions It s OK they don t know how to do this. They ll be taught what they need to know and given materials to help them serve. Cancer Companions equips, trains and supports Volunteers by conducting: Full day Peer Counselor Training Seminars Professionally led Monthly Web Conferencing Seminars held in your church Licensed Counselor available for phone support/questions Cancer Companion Participant Guide Cancer Companion Peer Counselor Training Guide Innermost Thoughts: An Interactive video for use with cancer families. 20

21 Tell the volunteer you would now like to get more information from them. Ask the following questions and take notes in space provided. I. What s your story or experience with cancer? Are they currently in treatment? (If a person is in active treatment it is not appropriate for them to be a peer counselor or group leader. They can be an administrative volunteer and they can take the training class and begin after treatment is completed.) II. What encouraged you to find out more about volunteering as a Cancer Companion? III. Are you interested in leading a group? If so, have you led a group, team or meeting before? What was that like? Ask the volunteer if they have any questions and answer as needed. Explain what being a Cancer Companion requires of the volunteer. Here s what being a Cancer Companion requires: Full day training on at. The cost for this training is $ per person. Attend monthly educational/supervision meetings at your church. You may become a one to one peer counselor, lead a support group, meet once with a cancer family to share a Cancer Resource Guide or assist with administration of the ministry. 8 months of service completed in 2 four-month sessions. You will commit to two non-consecutive sessions. A session is either: A. As a group leader you will co-lead 9 weekly meetings. There will be some responsibilities contacting members before and after the 9 weeks. B. As a peer counselor you will meet with a cancer family 2-4 times per month for 4 months. Ask the potential volunteer again if you can answer any other questions. Ask them if they would be interested in becoming a Cancer Companion and attending the training. If yes, and you feel they are qualified, explain how to register for the next Cancer Companions Peer Counselor Training Seminar. Thank them for their time and interest in Cancer Companions. 21

22 Cancer Companions Contact Sheet Three people (patient, survivor or caregiver) who are having difficulties in their cancer journey are: Three people who would be excellent Cancer Companions are: Contact me for more information: Name Phone Cancer Companions Contact Sheet Three people (patient, survivor or caregiver) who are having difficulties in their cancer journey are: Three people who would be excellent Cancer Companions are: Contact me for more information: Name Phone Cancer Companions Contact Sheet Three people (patient, survivor or caregiver) who are having difficulties in their cancer journey are: Three people who would be excellent Cancer Companions are: Contact me for more information: Name Phone Cancer Companions Contact Sheet Three people (patient, survivor or caregiver) who are having difficulties in their cancer journey are: Three people who would be excellent Cancer Companions are: Contact me for more information: Name Phone 22

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