ABLES Duties for New Volunteers
- Facilitate monthly meeting (1st Monday of the month) 5:30 to 6:30/7 pm at College Mall Food Court.
- Send out reminder email 2-4 days ahead reminding of meeting.
- Arrive about 10-15 minutes early. Greet early comers.
- Arrange tables in U-shape (upper level near Ulta/Judy’s Kitchen) Put out small ABLES signs on tables.
- Greet members/parents/staff as they arrive. (Everyone buys own food and eats).
- Facilitate small talk/conversations between you/members. If some member is sitting at another table, gently suggest they to move to the group table – point out an empty seat.
- When everyone has finished eating (approx 6-6:15) start meeting.
- Prompt as necessary and repeat info in person’s voice is very soft or suggest that they speak louder.
- Praise as necessary and repeat interesting info.
- Plan and coordinate activities
- When everyone has had a chance to speak, start with ideas for activities for the month. Ask for ideas. Suggest activities you have previously researched (possible dates, cost, etc). Facilitate discussion about which activities members are interested in.
- If 3-4 activities have been suggested, go around the table and ask who could come to each. Then decide on 1-2 activities. Suggest dates, ask who can come on which day/time as members have varying work schedules. If possible, set dates and times. If not, then say you will send out email asking if which Saturday members prefer, for example. Remember that not all members attend all meetings and some may want input into date/time.
- Repeat info if there is a decision made. Some members want to write it down/enter into phones.
- send out email in next couple of days with all info on activity, cost, date, time, members who plan to come, ask if anyone else wants to come. Activity planning could be done by another volunteer remotely by email or in person at meeting. I think it is better done in person at meeting.
- Close meeting and make sure everyone has ride home. I often take 1-2 members home when they live on my way. Other parents are happy to give rides.
Organize and facilitate an activity
- Have info on activity planned, place, date/time, cost, which members plan to come.
- Send out a group email with the info, listing members who have said they plan to come and asking if anyone else is interested, wants to come.
- Make sure you have individual emails/phones in case activity needs to be canceled or someone doesn’t show ontime and you need to know if they are just late or changed their mind. Be sure your email to members contains your email and phone. A couple of members communicate by text, and you will need to text the info to them. Some activities are not time sensitive, such as a cookout and if someone doesn’t show or come late it doesn’t matter.Other activities have a specific starting time (hike, pontoon boat ride) and it’simportant to not start without everyone.
- You will need to send out several reminders as the date approaches, all same format as first email and requesting confirmation for members planning on attending.
- Come somewhat early to the activity. Make sure everyone who has signed up is there before starting (if necessary.)
- Collect money if necessary or oversee members paying at box office. Encourage members to participate in activity.
- Praise – (verbal/clapping) and encourage other members to join praise. Lots of enthusiasm. When activity is finished, make sure everyone has ride home.
Communication
- Google group emails.
- Add new members/staff/parents to group. Another volunteer may wish to take over sending out reminders of monthly meeting and activities or leave this to volunteer who is facilitating.
For more information or questions, contact Susan Gray at skgray@bluemarble.net
