1

VOLUNTEER GUIDE Helping People Connect to the Church, Community, and World

2

We are SO thrilled to have you on the Connections Studio Team! This guide will help you understand what the Connections Studio is, our goals and objectives, and how to help each guest get connected into a group, volunteering in the Church, Community, or in the World. Here’s a look at what’s included:

WHAT IS THE CONNECTIONS STUDIO? .................................................................................... 3

WHERE IS THE CONNECTIONS STUDIO? ................................................................................... 3

HOW WILL THE CONGREGATION KNOW ABOUT THE CONNECTIONS STUDIO? ...................... 3

CONNECTIONS STUDIO GOALS ................................................................................................. 4

TEAM EXPECTATIONS ............................................................................................................... 5

Communicate With Us ......................................................................................................... 5

Be In Community With Us .................................................................................................... 5

Prepare with Us .................................................................................................................... 5

Be the face of Connecting people to the Church, the community and ................................

the World ........................................................................................................................... 5

PROCESS FLOW ........................................................................................................................ 6

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ....................................................................................................... 7

CONNECTIONS CLASS ............................................................................................................... 7

WEBSITE ORIENTATION ............................................................................................................ 7

Southeast Connect ............................................................................................................... 7

Class Registration ................................................................................................................. 8

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED .............................................................................................. 9

FOLLOW-UP SAMPLE SCRIPT .................................................................................................... 9

OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS ............................................................................................... 10

SOUTHEAST CONNECTION TIPS FOR SUCCESS ....................................................................... 11

3

WHAT IS THE CONNECTIONS STUDIO? The “go-to” area to get connected to the Connections Class and gather guest information. The Connection Studio will also be referenced from the stage to highlight current opportunities. These highlights will be communicated to you via email prior to the services.

WHERE IS THE CONNECTIONS STUDIO? It is located in the front of the main lobby at the church. It is open on Sundays.

HOW WILL THE CONGREGATION KNOW ABOUT THE CONNECTIONS STUDIO?

• Pastors/speakers will refer to the Connections Studio on stage

• Through the Southeast website

• Location in the lobby

• Social media

4

CONNECTIONS STUDIO GOALS • Encourage attending the Connections Class.

• Have face-to-face conversation with guests.

• Identify guest’s strengths and skills.

• Add information about guests into CCB.

• Follow up with new guests in 24 hours and 90 days.

Connections Studio Goals

Encourage attending the Connections Class.

Have face-to-face conversation with guests.

Identify guest’s strengths and skills.

Make class/group/serving suggestions as necessary.

Add information about guests into CCB.

Follow up with new guests in 24 hours and 90 days.

5

TEAM EXPECTATIONS Communicate With Us You will receive notifications when you are scheduled to volunteer via text or email. Please respond so we know that you will be there to volunteer. Our key connection leaders are there to support and help you. We are a team, so please let us know in advance if you are not able to volunteer so we can get your shift covered. Also, let us know if there is any way we can help support and/or pray for you. We also have a closed Facebook group for two-way communication purposes. If you have not received an invite, please email connect@southeastcc.org.

Be In Community With Us We meet 30-minutes before each service to connect with each other, update you on new information and pray. Please make it a priority to be at the Connections Studio on time so we can be in community together. Be prepared to stay for at least 30 minutes after service. Help get the iPads turned on and navigate to the Connect page (southeastcc.org/connect).

Prepare with Us We are encouraged to volunteer one service and attend another. We want to be ready to connect our guests.

Be the face of Connecting people to the Church, the community and the World Your help getting guests get connected to the connections class, small groups, volunteering in the church, community, and around the World is so important. You are helping guests grow in their faith, growing disciples, and giving them hope and love through the act of connecting.

6

PROCESS FLOW Help and guide guests with getting connected at Southeast as follows:

• Build relationships.

• Pray with guests.

• Use iPads to help:

- Sign guests up for the Connections Class.

- Register guests for upcoming events, trainings, or baptisms.

- Get oriented with the website.

• Follow-up with each guest via a phone call, text, email.

The Process Flow

Build Relationships

Promote the Connections

Class

Gather Guest Information

Follow Up within 24 hours and 90

days

7

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS 1. Smile and give eye contact.

2. Body language can make or break a connection.

3. Greet guests, introduce yourself, and invite them to sit down.

4. Ask simple, open questions to invite conversation.

• How long have you been attending Southeast?

• How long have you lived in Denver?

• What brought you here today?

CONNECTIONS CLASS The connections class is a 2-part class held on 2 consecutive Sundays after service. Both classes will be taught by Aaron. Childcare and food will be provided.

Part 1: Will focus on getting to know the Church

Part 2: Will focus on getting connected with small groups and volunteering

WEBSITE ORIENTATION Connections Studio uses the Southeast website to help guide guests to the Connections Class, small groups, and volunteering.

1. From the homepage (www.southeastcc.org) click the Get Connected button; or

2. Click on the word CONNECT in the top menu bar.

3. Use this page to direct guests to the Connections Class.

Southeast Connect We use a profile management database called Church Community Builder (CCB); otherwise known as Southeast Connect. This database is used for many purposes such as checking children in for Sunday school, volunteer scheduling, and event registrations. This tool is also used to follow up with our guests so they don’t get lost in the system.

8

Class Registration Once a guest is comfortable connecting with Southeast, help them register for the Connections Class.

The connections class is featured at the top of the connect page.

1. Click ‘Register Here’ icon and ask the guest to complete the information required.

NOTE: Each guest must complete their own form, for example if there are a husband and wife, they will need to complete one form each.

2. Once a guest registers for the Connections Class:

• They will receive a Welcome email.

• A key member of the church will follow up with them within 24 hours.

• They will also be contacted 24 hours prior to Part 2 of the Connections Class.

• After that, guests will be contacted within 90 days to follow up on their experiences thus far.

9

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED The primary goal is that EVERYONE attends the Connections Class.

• Guests may continue to volunteer as long as they are committed to attending a Connections Class in the future.

• The ministry leaders will encourage all current volunteers to register for the Connections Class as well.

FOLLOW-UP SAMPLE SCRIPT Following up with guests is an important step to help make guests’ feel important and heard. Here are a few sample scripts to help you get started.

• “Hi! This is _____ from Southeast Christian Church. Thank you for coming to the Connections Studio (today/yesterday/last weekend). We are just following up to see how your visit went and if there is anything else we can help you with?”

• “Hi! This is _____ from Southeast Christian Church. We are so pleased that you have signed up for the Connections Class. Please let us know if you need childcare or if you have any questions that we can help you with.”

• “Hi! This is _____ from Southeast Christian Church. We are just calling to see if you would be interested in joining us at the next Connections Class. It will be taught by Aaron Couch, our lead pastor, and he will be talking about the mission and vision of Southeast. He will also talk about life groups, volunteering, and what it looks like to be a family here.”

10

OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS

Here are some frequently asked questions you might encounter. Remember, you are here to help our guests get connected primarily to the Connections Class so that they can grow in their faith, have hope and love through volunteering and joining small groups. Act in grace, and do the best you can.

How can I get involved right away? There are many volunteering opportunities and events held at Southeast. Check out ministry specific pages (i.e., Adults, Students, etc.) or the Calendar to see what’s coming up.

Can I volunteer at the church before attending the Connections Class? Yes, for now. Eventually, all staff and volunteers will be required to have attended the Connections Class. Ministry leaders will also encourage current volunteers to attend the class.

What happens if the website or iPad is down? If there is a technical problem, do not worry. There are Connection cards and pens available in a basket. Please ensure handwriting is clear to read so a member of staff can enter the information into CCB at a later time.

What do I do if I do not know the answer to a question? Take down their question and contact information and explain that you or a connections team leader will get back to them asap.

If other exceptions arise, use your best judgement and ensure that the guest feels connected and accepted. Make any notes of issues or changes and give them to your leader. A lot of changes and adjustments can be made behind the scenes.

11

SOUTHEAST CONNECTION TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Smile and show up with enthusiasm

Engage and encourage people to talk

Care and show that you are listening

Connect and build on common ground, taking a genuine interest