Youth Staff Roles

Workgrant

Group Coordinator: Up to 100% of Basic Fees as needed

Time Commitment

10-20 hours prior to Gathering

18-20 hours during Gathering

Description

The children in Junior Gathering have a unique opportunity to grow mightily in the Spirit during a week of making friends, learning and having fun. Junior Gathering Coordinators have the care of that process.  They develop a curriculum and, with the help of support staff, implement their plans in a way that nurtures the spirit of each of the children in a safe environment.

Coordinators begin before coming to Gathering by preparing the curriculum, contacting the support staff assigned to them and requesting supplies.  During the week, they both create opportunities for the Spirit to shine and get out of the way when those opportunities create themselves. They also maintain a vigilance that watches to make sure all of the children are feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually safe.  Finally, they keep the curriculum moving in a way that keeps the children engaged.  This may mean balancing quiet and raucous activities, ditching plans that aren’t working, and going along with the children’s ideas when appropriate among other things.

The Junior Gathering Planning committee supports coordinators with regular check-ins during group time and availability to meet with them outside of the group.  Staff Meeting for Worship starts out each day and all staff are encouraged to attend.  A reasonable child to staff ratio is arranged by the FGC staff coordinator and JG clerks with the addition of support staff who are supervised by the coordinator.  We have been blessed for years with outstanding coordinators and support staff who have made Junior Gathering the success that it is.

Responsibilities

Prior to the Gathering

• Review all materials that are sent to coordinators.
• Attend “Anti-Racist Frameworks for Youth Work” workshop online in May or June
• Participate in online check in with Junior Gathering clerks and other group coordinators in June
• Plan daily curriculum for the week.
• Determine what supplies will be needed and inform the JG Coordinator by the timeline requested.  Please be conservative in your requests – all requested items from coordinators must be found, bought or borrowed and returned and a extensive lists of required items puts a strain on the program.
• Write a letter to the children who will be in your group to give them a taste of what to expect.  Staff will e-mail it to the children.
• Make contact with the assigned support staff.  Give them an idea of what they can expect and find out in what ways they may be an asset to your group.

Evening before Gathering begins (Saturday)

• Attend Coordinator Orientation on the Saturday evening prior to Gathering

First Day of the Gathering (Sunday)

• Attend the Sunday JG staff training (beginning at 10 am)
• Facilitate your group staff meeting and in setting up the group’s space.
• Host your group’s Junior Gathering Open House, Sunday at 4:30 pm.

During the Gathering

• Attend Junior Gathering Worship each morning if at all possible (time TBD).  This time is also used for announcements and updates on Junior Gathering activities.
• With the help of support staff, implement your planned curriculum for your Junior Gathering group daily. Junior Gathering Staff are expected to be present 15 minutes before and after group.
  • Morning group hours are from 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • Evening group hours are from 7:00 – 9:00 Monday through Thursday (Friday is an all-ages plenary). 
• Facilitate group staff meetings before or after Group time.
• Supervise support staff. Ensure that their interactions with the children are appropriate and intervene as needed to do so.  This both supports and teaches the staff and makes the children’s experience a positive one.
• Ensure the space is set up and cleaned up before and after group.
• Ensure daily worship is part of the routine.
• Assign someone to prepare snack daily and have snack time with the children.
• Take attendance and report absences or assign someone else to do so.
• Communicate any concerns or problems that arise with the children to the Gathering Youth Coordinator or the JG clerks immediately.
• Conduct regular head-counts and scan the group constantly to make sure that all are safe.
• Take responsibility for the break-down and clean-up of your group space at the end of the week.

Workgrant

Support Staff: Up to 50% of basic fees for morning, 40% for evening

Time Commitment:

3-4 hours prior to Gathering

Morning Staff: 15-20 hours during Gathering

Description

Junior Gathering Support Staff contribute their gifts, their spirit and their love on a daily basis to the children in our care. The positive experience of the children depends on being in an environment that allows them to freely express themselves and to grow in the Spirit while making friends, learning, and having a good time. Junior Gathering staff provide this environment in a myriad of ways, including: the way they speak with children, the way they help the children work through conflicts, the activities provided, their laughter and hugs, their respect for the children’s ideas, the fostering of sacred space and time, the time they take to make sure they understand what a child is saying and through each choice that is made that allows the Spirit to move through the group.

The support staff for each group are the bridge between the curriculum, which is developed by the group’s coordinator, and the building of a spirit-filled environment. They communicate with the coordinator during staff meetings and throughout the group time regarding what activities are planned and what is expected. Then they assist the coordinator in implementing the plans. As specific needs come up, the support staff makes sure they are met, with the help and supervision of the coordinator.

Responsibilities

Prior to the Gathering

• Review all materials that are sent to support staff.
• Attend “Anti-Racist Frameworks for Youth Work” workshop online in May or June
• Make contact with the coordinator of the assigned group (Coordinator may initiate contact). Communicate the skills and gifts you have to share with the children so they can be integrated into the program.

First Day of the Gathering (Sunday)

• Attend the JG staff training (beginning at 10 am)
• Participate in group staff meeting and in setting up the group’s space.
• Attend Junior Gathering Open House, Sunday at 4:30 pm.

During the Gathering

• If possible, attend Junior Gathering Worship each morning (time TBD). This time is also used for announcements and updates on Junior Gathering activities.
• Attend your Junior Gathering group. Morning staff hours are from 8:45a-12:15p Monday through Friday. Evening staff hours are from 7-9pm Monday through Thursday (Friday is an all ages plenary). Group staff meetings may occur before or after these times.
• Help set up and clean up before and after group.
• Attend daily group staff meetings or reviews, as scheduled.
• Supervise and participate in activities with the children.
• Support the coordinator’s curriculum plan in whatever way is needed; Share gifts and skills with the children.
• Communicate any concerns or problems that arise with the children to the coordinator immediately; be available for errands and emergencies.
• Interact with parents as they drop off and pick up their children. When they have concerns, refer them to the group coordinator, Gathering Youth Coordinator or Friend in Residence as needed.
• Help with break-down and clean-up of your group’s space at the end of the week.
• Recruit at least one person to pack up supplies to be returned to Local Friends, local schools and the FGC office onSaturday afternoon or Sunday morning.

Workgrant

Up to 60% of Basic Fees as needed

Time Commitment

10-20 hours prior to Gathering, 9 hours during Gathering

Description

Oak Group Workshop Leaders develop a workshop curriculum in collaboration with their Co-leaders with the intention of building of a Spirit-filled environment.  They communicate with the Oak Group Coordinators during staff meetings and throughout the group time regarding what activities are planned and what is expected. Coordinators assist the Workshop Leaders in implementing the plans as needed. As specific needs come up, Workshop Leaders are supported and guided by the Oak Group Coordinators.

As a morning workshop leader, you will guide a group of approximately eight to twelve rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade participants. Oak Group Workshop Leaders contribute their gifts, their spirit and their love on a daily basis to the young people in our care.  The positive experience of the participants depends on being in an environment that allows them to freely express themselves and to grow in the Spirit while making friends, learning, and having a good time. 

Responsibilities

Prior to the Gathering

• Review all materials that are mailed to support staff.
• Attend “Anti-Racist Frameworks for Youth Work” workshop online in May or June
• Make contact with Oak Group Coordinators. (Coordinators may initiate contact).
• Develop a 3 day curriculum for your workshop with time included for reflection, snack and worship.
• Provide a list of materials you will need for your workshop to the Oak Group Coordinators.   
• Communicate to your Co-leader and Coordinators the skills and gifts you have to share with the rising 7^th-9^th graders so they can be integrated into the program.
• Establish contact with your workshop Co-leader & collaborate on curriculum development.
• As curriculum is developed, begin thinking about and communicating how you plan to work with your Co-leader (ex: do you see your position as more of a leader, helper, equal collaborator, etc.?)

First Day of the Gathering (Sunday)

• Attend the Wednesday JG staff training (beginning at 10am)
• Participate in Oak group staff meeting and in setting up the workshop’s space.
• Attend Oak Group Parents Meeting, Wednesday evening.

During the Gathering

• If possible, attend Junior Gathering Worship each morning (time TBD). This time is also used for announcements and updates on Junior Gathering activities.
• Attend the workshop you will be leading. Morning staff hours are from 8:45-12:15 Monday through Friday. Help set up and clean up before and after your workshop.
• Attend daily group staff meetings or reviews, as scheduled.
• Share gifts and skills with the attendees.
• Communicate any concerns or problems that arise with the youth to the Coordinators immediately; be available for errands and emergencies.
• Interact with parents if they have concerns & refer them to the Oak Group Coordinators, Junior Gathering Clerks, and Gathering Youth Coordinator as needed.
• Assist with preparation and delivery of snacks.
• Help with break-down and clean-up of your group’s space at the end of the week.
• Recruit at least one person to pack up supplies to be returned to Local Friends, local schools and the FGC office on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.

Workgrant

100% of Basic Fees provided. Early Housing is provided due to Staff Training. Travel costs are covered by individual. Some travel assistance may be available as needed.

Time Commitment

High School Staff is a full-time commitment during the Gathering. Be prepared to be busy with late night commitments. Self-care for sleep and personal needs is important and supported by the entire staff. Each staff member has one night off to provide for self-care.

Description

HS staff work together to build a team capable of nurturing and mentoring young Quakers, connect deeply with amazing young people and have opportunities to participate in other Gathering activities. High School staff focus on participant care, create a supportive vessel for individual and community growth, and support the staff team. All HS Staff live in the HS dorm. Staff lead a daily support group of 5-8 participants, further deepening the spiritual and communal work in a more intimate setting. Staff also take on additional roles of facilitating affinity groups and supporting program activities, such as dances, talent show, and business meeting.

Responsibilities

• Arrive on Campus for staff training by 10 am on Saturday, July 1. Staff are invited to arrive on Friday evening for dinner and fellowship. All HS Staff spend the first day and a half in orientation for the week.
• Attend a daily staff meeting 9:30 am -12 pm
• Lead a daily support group
• Stay on campus until noon on the final day to assist all HS participants in their departure.

We are looking for these qualities in prospective volunteer staff:

• Individuals who are excited about the program and about working with other staff to realize our vision of a grounded staff community.
• Experience with the High School Gathering, Young Friends, or other religious high school aged youth groups.
• Understanding of, or familiarity with, the concept of listening for the Sense of Meeting as a central practice of Friends.
• Skill in listening and sensitivity to teen participants, oneself, other staff, parents and other Gathering attenders.
• Commitment to nurturing youth ownership of program guidelines.
• Community-oriented: knowing the value of the overall Gathering and the High School Program’s place in it.
• Willingness to work as a team member with the coordinators and other staff.
• Understanding of boundary issues inherent in the role of staff and ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Able to serve for the entire event and attend staff training prior to Gathering.

We believe that the High School program at Gathering is a transformative experience for many staff and participants. The High School Program will be the center of your week, and our vision is to create a spiritually grounded community of staff members that:

• Fosters trust
• Shares a common vision of expectations
• Invites understanding of others’ gifts, strengths, limits, and challenges
• Provides a brave space for dissention by caring for each other through our differences
• Not only works together, but plays together
• Provides opportunities to learn about each other
• Provides a space for the communication and acknowledgement of needs

This list is not exhaustive, but is the beginning of a vision which we hope to develop as a staff through the coming year and beyond.

Please complete your staff application as early as possible. High School Coordinators will review all applications and send out notifications on a rolling basis. Once approved, High School counselors are invited to participate in program planning meetings if they wish to do so.

The High School staff selection process acknowledges that no one person is going to have all the characteristics needed to make the program work, and that staff often draw upon each other’s expertise and experience in dealing with issues that come up during the week.

Effort is made to create a balance of gender, race, age, skills, personalities and regional representation on each year’s staff. Not everyone who applies to be a staff member is chosen. Read more above about the qualities off prospective counselors and factors in building a staff team.

A few questions we consider about the composition of the entire staff are below. 

• Is there a good balance in the range of Quaker experience among staff members? 
• Is there diversity:
  • In the racial makeup of the counseling team?
  • In the genders of the counseling team?
  • In the sexual orientation of the counseling team?
  • In the age range of the counseling team, from teenage to middle age and above (each age group bringing its own insights)? Note: Applicants must have at least one year out of the program before being considered, except those applying for the position of intern.
• Are there people with lifeguarding/first aid/peer counseling/nursing or other helping/healing skills on the team?
• Are there people with experience leading physical activities for groups of young people? (games/sports/drama/exercise, etc.)
• Is there a good balance in the skills, interests and approaches of the staff members as a whole?