P.M.R. Personal, Meaningful, and Relevant Volunteer Retreats
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Transcript P.M.R. Personal, Meaningful, and Relevant Volunteer Retreats
P.M.R.
PERSONAL, MEANINGFUL, AND
RELEVANT VOLUNTEER RETREATS
Darcey Dinh, Director of Formation and Recruitment
Introductions
What do you need to know about Darcey?
Florida
CVIF 2 years
Married 5 years
Favorite color is green
YA ministry, marriage prep in parish/diocese
Stetson University-Teacher Ed.
Dr. Cindy Lovell (now the ED of the Mark Twain House in
Hartford, CT) is responsible for one of the most memorable
statements any professor has said, “Everything you do in the
classroom must be personal, meaningful, and relevant to the
lives of your students.”
PERSONAL
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8
Are the retreat activities personal to your volunteers
and to your program?
Will the volunteers have a connection to the
lessons/material?
Is there enough opportunities for self-evaluation?
MEANINGFUL
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
What’s the purpose of each activity?
Is it in line with the values and mission of your
program?
Is there meaning behind the retreat
activity/discussion/project that makes it purposeful
for the volunteer?
RELEVANT
For what will it profit a man if he gains the
whole world and forfeits his soul?
Matthew 16:26
Are the materials up-to-date?
Do the materials align with current
events/news/media/doctrine?
How can you help the volunteers to live out the values
this year and afterwards?
How can we apply the church teachings into our daily
lives?
RETREAT SCHEDULE
5 per year:
Orientation-
4-5 days
Fall- 3-4 days
Winter- 3-4 days
Spring- 5 days
Summer/Closing- 2-3 days
BASIC FORMAT
Opening prayer
Sign ups for cooking and
cleaning, goals
Community
activities/reflections
Morning prayer in different
styles
Worship/songs
Book club and discussion
Goal setting
Community free time
Technology Fast
Meal prep
Themed activities
Presentations/visitors
Reflection/Journaling
Awards
Service project
Prayer Partners
Feedback forms and ThankYous
Closing prayer
PROGRAM VALUES
Community
Active Spirituality
Social Justice
Living Simply
Personal Growth
Vocation Discernment
ORIENTATION
4-5 days at the end of July
Great Paper Chase
Presentation on each of the 6 Values
A special focus on community expectations & understanding different personality
types
Budgeting- Understanding needs vs. wants
Service Project
Prayer Partners/Alumni Buddies/Community Support
In- depth look at program policies and procedures
Goal sheets
Attend Mass and Commissioning Ceremony
FALL RETREAT
3 days in October: Thursday-Sunday
Theme: Community and Active Spirituality
Low-Ropes Course
High-Ropes and Zip line
Spiritual journaling/The Examen
Meditation
Community Reflections
Preparation for Winter Fundraising push
WINTER RETREAT
3 days in January: ThursdaySunday
Theme:
Social
Doing Justice/Living Simply
Justice
Immigration
Human Trafficking
Respect Life
Service
visit/project
Small Group Activities
Privilege Walk
St. Francis Activity
SPRING RETREAT
5 days in April
Theme:
Personal Growth/Vocation Discernment
Meditation
Silent
Day
Letter to God
Prayer Room
Masking
Vocation story
Resume building
Interview know-hows
Talent Show
Service Project
CLOSING RETREAT
2-3 days in June
Theme:
Personal Growth/Transitioning out
Reflections-
Where did we see God this year?
What's next- How to transition into real world using
values learned.
Year-end awards and recognitions
Presentations
Volunteer Evaluations
Re-Commissioning
SPEAKERS and TOPICS
Non-profit leaders
Mental Health Professionals
Diocesan Ministers
Service Site Partner Professionals
Local Parish Professionals
Alumni
Funders
Seminarians and Religious leaders
?
Vocation and Discernment
Understanding Personalities- Community living
Leadership skills
Team building
Life Balance
“Your Life Story”
Life Transitions – taking what you learned into
each new phase
Resumes and Interviews
Social Justice- Catholic Social Teaching
Living the Gospel
Journaling
Conflict Resolution
Silent Meditation
Respect for Life
Ways to Pray
What is living a Christian life?
?
EVALUATIONS
Quotes from volunteers…
… “presentations and activities and most of all the bonding-because bonding is
very important for community as we will be in other parts of Florida.”-BM
“The day of silence was unexpectedly enjoyable. It challenged me to get to know
myself better and helped me to better understand my relationship with God.”-RM
“The Lord really spoke with me when we covered discernment. Sr. Kathleen was a
breath of fresh air and I was affirmed that I am on the right track and she pointed
me in the right direction for the year.”-CS
“I thought it was really helpful to start this experience together to know everyone. I
thought Jesus Calling was really helpful and listening to a lot of the speakers.”-JG
“I wish that we could be doing something else during the paper chase while we
waited for others to finish.”-RK
“I felt very busy- All of the activities were wonderful but I wish we had more time
for a bit of rest and renewal as well as activities.”-TP
HARMONIZING
Invite other Volunteer groups to join you on retreat!
Humility
of Mary Volunteers
Covenant House
Any other programs interested?
DESTINATIONS
Facilities with:
Ropes
Courses
Quiet Areas
Appealing grounds
Food: Cooking VS Paying
A good distance between sites
RESOURCES
FTE
USCCB
Other Programs: Letter To God (LaSallian Vols)
Professional Advisors
CVN
Shared Visions
Books based on values
?
?
?
CLOSING
Retreats are just one of the tools we use in order to
help in the growth of the volunteers this year:
Monthly meetings
Quarterly service projects
Book club
Prayer Partners
Community Involvement
Spiritual Direction
Communication (phone, text, email)
?
?
?