OK, so the theme of today’s social media blitz is not actually a favorite childhood game, although we YAV & Alum tend to be fond of playing such games when we gather together! Rather, today’s theme is ‘How did you find the YAV program?’ As usual, members of the YAV Alum Leadership Council weigh in…
Monisha Smith (co-vice-moderator & Associate-Elect for Recruitment): “I discovered the YAV program while at Montreat, I was a member of PSST (Presbyterian Student Strategy Team). PSST sent me to a conference at Montreat and I was introduced to the YAV program.”
Maggie Leonard (moderator): “I found out about the YAV program through the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at UNC Chapel Hill.”
Sarah Leer (event planning/reunion): “I worked at the National Offices of the PCUSA in Higher Education ministries right after graduating from Wake Forest. I worked with people in the YAV office and I was excited about the energy and passion of the YAVs in the program and those in same was true of the people who worked with YAVs. After attending Columbia Seminary, I met many YAVAs and felt called to the program.”
Blair Buckley (advocacy): “I found the YAV program through College Conference at Montreat.”
Jason Cashing (social media): “I found the YAV program through the word of mouth, example, and encouragement of a friend at church who went through it first. Through him, four others of us in our church became YAVs.”
So, there you have it! Most of us came to the YAV program through different ways, but there is something of a common theme: Word of Mouth from those who have previously been volunteers. Which proves again that we are each the best recruiters for the program in our communities and areas. Who are you being led to reach out to and invite into a year of service for a lifetime of change?
Feel free to let us know how you found the YAV program, how it found you, or what ideas you might have for better recruiting (Monisha, I know, is open to ideas & insights!). Leave a comment here on the blog, via Twitter (#YAVrocks), or on FaceBook. And if you need some encouragement (or something else to read on this Friday morning) check out this post from last month.
Good morning, everyone! I hope y’all had a wonderful weekend, and that Tuesday is not being too rough on you! As we continue our week of social media blitz to keep the conversation going and keep us caught up in fond memories of our service, here’s the theme of the day: Who was the most influential person you met during your time of service, and how does her/his impact continue to influence you?
For me, I would have to say that the most influential person from my time in Alaska was a young boy named Miguel (name changed for this post). I only knew him for about 4 days, while I was a counselor at Rainbow Glacier Camp in Haines, but he had a profound impact on me. He was a special needs individual, and the only one at camp that summer. In between the hours of needing two counselors to keep an eye on him and keep him out of trouble (tossing the songbook into the campfire comes to mind…), I was shown a powerful example of how much each and every person is a beloved child of God, regardless of how much they challenge me or strain my patience – a novel lesson for me at that age. His ability to find joy and amusement in everything, whether we wanted him to or not, has stuck with me. I will forever think and speak of Miguel with a smile, and often wonder where he is now.
So…who was the most influential person in your time of service? What lessons did he or she teach you? We want to know! Share with us here on the blog, on Twitter (#YAVrocks), or on FaceBook – but more importantly, share it with someone who may be considering a period of mission service, or a congregation/presbytery that wants to support mission!
Recently, I and several other YAV Alum attended the Dallas II Mission Consultation, organized through World Mission of the PC(USA). We were gathered to discuss mission, especially around the Critical Global Initiatives, and how we might as individuals, congregations, and a denomination engage mission more effectively moving into the 21st century. Much of it was truly great, and many good ideas came from our discussions, but that belongs to another post.
Also recently, around twenty YAVA were present at Ghost Ranch, NM, to help the returning class of YAVs process and integrate their experiences from their time of service. We discussed what was uplifting and what was challenging about their service and their sites, we listened to and told our stories, we supported one another in the stark beauty of the northern New Mexico desert. And then we all, once more, went our separate ways.
A common question that comes from both of these events is, “Now what?”
“Now that ______ is finished, what do we do? How do we proceed forward?”
At Dallas II, Rick Ufford-Chase commented that, in the past, a dedicated and gifted staff in the denominational offices would take what came out of the conversations and run with it, eventually passing the strategies on to presbyteries, congregations, and individuals. That no longer works, and for two reasons: 1) Such staff doesn’t really exist anymore, and 2) Such a model defeats the understanding that we are all called, and thus all a part of bringing the conversations to action.
The same holds true for us, as alumnae/i of this program we know as YAV. It is not up to a small group of people to continue the work (though I can speak for the Alumni Leadership Council in saying that we are very glad to help coordinate such efforts); it is up to all of us. The Alumni Network will be what we make of it, and the YAV program itself will continue to be strengthened because of the efforts we continue to give to it.
Which leads me to a thought: What if each one of us took it upon ourselves to recruit one young adult, just one, into the program during this next year? What if we made the effort to recruit a person every year, or two people every three years?
We know, first-hand and intimately, the benefits and the offerings of what a time of service in the YAV program can bring, not just to us as individuals, but for the churches and communities we serve, and for the denomination as a whole. The PC(USA) is recognizing this more and more, as well, as evidenced by their decision to put emphasis on raising up young adult leaders, including the YAV program. One of their goals is to increase the annual number of participants to upwards of 250 over the next five years, and they will even be hiring an Associate for Recruitment to aide in such an endeavor.
But what is stopping us from likewise helping? We all live somewhere; chances are there’s at least one of the following near us: A church with a senior high youth group, or college-age young adults; A campus ministry program; A young adult group, perhaps with members who are spiritual & service oriented; A Presbytery, who would benefit from hearing about the YAV program, and can connect to us to interested individuals. What is stopping us/you/me from contacting one of the above and setting up an appointment to spend one hour…30 minutes…20 minutes talking with a young adult about this shining star of a program?
Nothing.
And if even a fraction of alumni from the past 18 years of YAV were able to recruit one young adult to serve, the goal of increasing the program would be met within two years. (By my own rough estimation, there are 1200 alums out there in the world).
The YAV Office is poised and ready to take off, and it wants all of us along for the journey. More so, it wants us to be actively involved in the journey, and is ready to assist and equip us as needed to reach out and invite others to experience the richness of service and community that we have experienced.
Consider this your commission to go out and spread the good news!
Here’s your chance! You know you have a story to share. We know you have a story to share, and we want it! Please take some time to check out the link below, and to seriously consider submitting a video to help us out! After all, people are always more wiling to support stories than they are causes!
UPDATE: Here’s the official pitch from the YAV Office:
The Young Adult Volunteer Alumni are putting together a video, and we need your help! We are creating a video to send to churches, campus ministries, colleges, and universities letting them know about the YAV program. Think about how you can participate by shooting a video. What do you love about the program? What do you most want other people to know about this program? How has your faith in God been challenged/grown/etc. during your YAV year? How has it lead to a lifetime of change? Visit the link below for more details and submit your video by October 1. Questions? Call Shannon Langley at the YAV office: (800) 728-7228, x5024.
If you’re Presbyterian, chances are you’ve at least heard of Presbyterian Youth Triennium, if not attended it at some point in your life. Well, guess what? PYT is looking for help, especially from YAVA! Below is a message from Shannon Langley regarding as much. I would also encourage you to check out the Triennium website for other possibilities to be involved (I recommend the Small Group Leader aspect, myself).
Youth Triennium: the Coordinator for Global Partners is seeking YAVA to serve as team members to plan and attend the Youth Triennium 2013. The planning team is still looking for international YAVA to participate.
Please contact Shannon if you are interested so that she can connect you with the team. Shannon.langley@pcusa.org
If you’ve been following along at home, you may have noticed that there was an Overture submitted to the General Assembly Mission Council requesting an increase in funding for the YAV program. Two days ago, it came before discussion, and it was simultaneously defeated (which we wanted to be the outcome) and approved (which we also wanted). Let me explain.
As was mentioned in a previous post, the original overture would have undone much that World Mission and GAMC recently approved, or at least severely hindered their work. So…we didn’t want the original overture to pass. But what did we want, then? Simple: Promotion and increase of the program, with official encouragement from the GAMC. The recommendation made by Overture Advocate Jason Cashing included three deliberate actions: Invite individuals, congregations, and mid-Councils into ongoing prayer for YAV participants and the program; Encourage recruitment through active promotion of the program in congregations and mid-Councils, and; Challenge individuals, congregations, and mid-Councils to, over the next five years, increase their mission giving by 10.01%, dedicated to young adults in mission.
At this point, a member of the Mission Coordination committee and soon-to-be YAV Piper Madison (North Alabama Presbytery) made the following substitute motion:
“In recognition of the new directional goal of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) regarding young adults, which includes reducing the funding responsibilities for individual young adult volunteers, the 220th General Assembly (2012) directs the GAMC to increase promotion of this vital and dynamic program to mid councils while encouraging mid councils to increase their mission funding by 10.01 percent beyond the Pentecost offering over the next five years, dedicated to inspiring, equipping, and connecting with young adults to further enable their ability to serve nationally and internationally in the name of Jesus Christ.”
After a bit word-smithing to make it the above ‘perfected’ motion, it was unanimously approved (50-0-0) to be sent before General Assembly plenary for official approval! We of the YAVA Leadership Council (and World Mission staff, I’m told) are very excited for this, because of the promotion and support of the YAV program into the future. Please feel free to contact your congregations and mid-Councils to support this recommendation, especially once it receives approval from the full General Assembly (or even if, for some reason, it doesn’t)!
Hello friends, and welcome to the 220th General Assembly! May the odds – oops, wrong storyline…
Regardless, General Assembly is coming up, and coming up quickly! Are you going to be there? Are you wondering how you might connect with other YAV and YAVA? Have you heard about the YAV-related business coming in the form of an overture? If your answer to any of these questions is ‘Yes’ or ‘No,’ then read on!
First – there will be many YAV and YAVA at GA, and we want to see you! First up is a planned meet-up/dinner at Seviche (near the Convention Center), from 5:45pm to 8:00pm (or beyond, it’s up to you!), on Tuesday, July 3. If you want more info, check the YAVA facebook page. Also, if you want unplanned meet-ups, then feel free to wander around the exhibit hall yelling “HEY YAV-AAAA!!!” until you find someone you know or wants to know more about the program. Which leads us to…
The exhibit hall. YAV will have a table in connection with World Mission, but here’s the thing: We need people to volunteer to stand at the table and accost invite people to learn more about the program/answer questions. As you may have heard, there’s a bit of restructuring going on in World Mission (all of it ultimately beneficial for the program, but more on that later), but that means that we won’t have a staff person available to be at the table all the time. We’re hoping that any YAVA at GA could consider spending a few hours to stand at the table. If you’re at all interested, or think you’d be able, or want to know what time periods still need help, please email our Advocacy person Blair Buckley (buckley.blair85 @ gmail dot com). Your assistance would be greatly appreciated!
Lastly – we have an overture going before committee, at the very least! The Presbytery of Western New York approved an overture (Number 10-03) which, if passed, had the intent of increasing funding for the program. But here’s the good news: The recent restructuring means that there is a renewed desire to support young adults in the denomination, and that means that (as of a few weeks ago) the program is in great shape for the years to come! There’s already been increase for the program, and in greater ways than we could hope! WHOOO-HOOO! Hence, while we want to keep the intent of the overture, we actually don’t want it to pass, as such an event would largely supersede (un-do) the great strides that have recently been enacted. So, how can you support? Simple! Ask congregations, presbyteries, and individuals to: Pray for the program and its participants; encourage people to volunteer for the program and to help the program; and continue to give financially – it’s tax-deductible, and can even be done online and through PayPal (one-time or recurring). Most of all, we ask that, should you get the chance, COMMEND the General Assembly Mission Council for their diligent work and the efforts they are supporting/enacting to increase the emphasis on young adults in the denomination!
That’s a lot, I know, but GA is a busy time! Hope to see you there!
The following is a note from the wonderful and recently Master’s-graduated Blair Buckley, who serves on the Alumni Leadership Council organizing Advocacy & Sustainability for the YAV program:
The 2012 Pentecost Offering is coming up soon..May 27th! Does your local church collect the Pentecost Offering? If so, please volunteer to do the Minute for Mission. This is a really important special offering for the YAV program! Please talk to your pastor or worship committee about doing it very soon. The offering is 2 weeks from tomorrow. If you are not sure what to say for a Minute for Mission, just let me (Blair) know at buckley.blair85@gmail.com. We have some sample talking points we can send you!
“The Advocacy and Sustainability team is off to a great start for 2012. We are in the process of expanding and clarifying our team goals for this year. At a recent meeting, we talked about the need to better connect with both college and graduate students, and to find ways to advocate for YAV outside of the PCUSA. We also reviewed how the YAV program has been advocated for through a few events in the past several months, including the Presbyterians for Earth Care National Conference, and the ACPE Conference. We looked at the YAV Wikipedia page that Essie and Andy Rector put together last year, which has a great section of statistics about the vocations many YAV alums have chosen and the ways in which they have continued to be leaders in the PCUSA. According to these statistics, the YAV experience has helped shaped many leaders within the PCUSA and beyond. That is because it is a YAVolution! J The web address for this Wikipedia page is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Adult_Volunteer_Program
” The Advocacy and Sustainability team is also gearing up for General Assembly 2012, seeking to have as much YAVA representation as we can. We have also been discussing the possibility of submitting a financial overture for YAV. Other PCUSA events and conferences we hope to have a YAVA presence at this year include the NEXT Conference, the National Multicultural Conference, and the National Gathering of Presbyterian Women.”
Thanks, Blair, and everyone else working on these great projects!
If there is a career/service/post graduate fair taking place at a college or university, and you are willing to represent YAV, please contact Essie! She can pay for registration costs and be in contact with the career services office and/or campus minister at that school. It’s possible that you can make an appointment with the chaplain or campus minister as well, to give them further information on the YAV program.
2) Visiting a campus ministry (including community college)
You may be visiting your alma mater, or a local college or university group with whom you’ve been in contact. This is an ideal venue for fielding great questions about the program and sparking interest. If you are making such a visit, please let Essie know–she can provide you with materials to make you extra popular during your visit (bumper stickers, pens, pins, to name a few). Also, it is very helpful to the YAV office if you provide them with contact information of the campus minister or chaplain. This gives the office the opportunity to follow up your visit with reminders about deadlines and scholarships. It also gives them information for the recruitment database, for future recruitment visits to that school.
3) Speaking with a congregation
Speaking during a “minute for mission,” sermon, or more informally with your home congregation and other supporting congregations is another important way to do interpretation. Once again, contact the YAV office to get information and promotional materials to distribute during or after your conversation with the congregation. 25% of the Pentecost Offering, which is collected every year on Pentecost Sunday (usually in late May or early June), goes to the YAV program. This 25% comprises over 50% of the YAV budget. If you can get an opportunity to speak with a congregation on Pentecost Sunday, this is idea. More information about the Pentecost Offering is at gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/pentecost-offering, or simply by going to gamc.pcusa.org and searching for ‘Pentecost Offering.’
4) If you feel overwhelmed or confused
As you are getting started, feel free to contact any of these YAV alumni to ask questions about contacting places to present, forming your interpretation story, and anything else! You can also contact Essie at the YAV office.
These are colleges and universities where the campus minister or chaplain is an excited supporter of the YAV program, and these schools welcome former YAVs to come and speak with their groups. The list includes all Presbyterian-related colleges and universities, as well as additional colleges and universities where the campus minister or chaplain is a supporter of the YAV program. These schools welcome former YAVs to come and speak with their groups. If you live near one of these schools, attended one of these schools, know the campus minister/chaplain, or if all of the above apply, a visit from you to the campus ministry would go a long way in spreading the word about the program. Let someone in the YAV office know if you plan to or are willing to visit one of these schools. We can pay for your mileage/travel for up to 100 miles, and we will provide you with promotional information and give-aways.
PC(USA) Colleges and Universities are listed at APCU.net/memberschools.
Other non-PC(USA) schools which are “YAV friendly” include: Appalachian State University, Duke University, Florida State University, Furman University, Iowa State, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, University of North Carolina, University of Arizona, University of Georgia, University of Texas, Wake Forest University, Penn State University
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II. Planning Your Interpretation/Storytelling
Planning your time can seem daunting so we’ve included some examples of what other YAVA have done in the past. Steal whatever you’d like and ignore anything that doesn’t seem to fit your style. The most important thing to remember is that God is with us in all we do and if we keep God in mind, how can it go wrong?
Multimedia Presentation
- We were invited to a number of churches around the country
Scott & Gabby Dannemiller 45mins – 1 hour
Slideshow, music and storytelling
Equipment needed: sound equipment – 2 mikes, projector, screen, laptop, remote for laptop, 2 stools, music stands (if available)
This program was driven mostly by the songs and the message we were hoping to convey was one of service. An important element to us was to say that not everyone is able to commit a year or more to a volunteer program, but that service opportunities are around us every day and it’s just a matter of stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing it. Our basic outline was to tell where we came from, what we experienced in Guatemala as YAVs and then tell people what we were up to at that time and how the YAV experience had changed our lives.
I think it’s important to point out that for the most part, only Scott sang. This was a stumbling block at first because we didn’t know how to fit Gabby into the program but after a while it just happened. So we both sat together on stools on stage and we told stories, Scott sang and we had a slide projector with a remote to move pictures along that were not automatically timed with the music. I only include this because I don’t want YAVA to feel that their storytelling isn’t enough because it’s what it’s ALL about.
Another Experience (Group)
Rev. Laura Fry 20 Min
Towards the end of my year in Tucson, the other three Tucson YAVs and I worked together to create a single interpretation piece. Corey Nelson assisted each of us in identifying one or two experiences to share. It was very helpful to have an outside resource like Corey but I think the crucial part is having a test audience: one or two people willing to listen to your drafts and provide suggestions. The other essential elements in this kind of presentation are compelling stories connected by a clear theme. Choose stories that offer insight into your work, into the issues facing the community you served, or into your own sense of calling. With your individual stories identified, then looked for points of connection within the group, and choose a passage of scripture to ground your presentation. With an eye toward the flow of the piece as a whole, intersperse your stories with scripture and if you would like, a piece of music. We presented our finished piece during worship as the sermon to several congregations and at the presbytery meeting.
Another Experience (Group)
Brenton Thompson
30-45 min
Upon returning I participated in YAVIT (Young Adult Volunteer Interpretation Team), which no longer exists, and I was teamed up with two other YAVs to travel and give presentations for one month. Bruce Whearty, who helped us get our presentation together, gave us several tips. One was going back to our journals and mission update letters to help reconnect to the people, places and things that shaped my experience. The second thing was short and effective stories, by cutting out extra details and keeping a central focus throughout the story it helped me get my 5-minute story down to powerful 2-3 minute vignettes. Then sitting down with the other two YAVs we found a scripture that we felt connected with all of our stories, which served as the central theme of our presentation. Our presentation looked like this; read complete passage, read again but stopping throughout the passage to share the vignettes where they fit supporting our message, re-read the passage, slide show of photos while being accompanied by music and ending with question and answers. We gave presentations to Sunday school groups, after-church potlucks, evening dinners and presbytery gatherings.
Presentations as the program for Campus Ministry groups and Church Suppers
Sarah Edgecombe 30-45 min
I also had the fortunate experience of working with Corey to prepare 2 stories interpreting my YAV experience. I spoke of how I witnessed in the Philippines what I learned about the Church as I grew up. I talked about my Filipino church in action and what I learned from them. I also spoke about how embarrassed I was when I learned how much Filipinos know about the US in comparison to how little I knew about the country and its people. I showed pictures (powerpoint slide show) of where I lived, worshiped, and traveled. I also spoke about the YAV year structure–possible sites, discernment, orientation, and supervision–and its national support. I invited questions at the end, and I stuck around afterwards for individual questions.
Leading Sunday School for Youth, College, and/or Adults
Sarah Edgecombe 45-1 hour
My home church and others asked for me to use the Sunday School hour to talk about my YAV year. I used the lectionary scripture or something else (mostly Romans 8:18-30) to begin the conversation, and then I showed pictures (usually passing them around) and talked about how I saw God’s word and work in the Philippines. I asked the group for their reflections from their own local/national/international mission experiences and the scripture, and sometimes had good conversations. I also shared the YAV year structure–especially if the group was youth and college students.
Preaching as a Team or Individual
Sarah Edgecombe 10-15 min
As few churches asked me to preach about my YAV year. I most appreciated when I teamed up with the pastor, as we could talk together about scripture and how to use my YAV experience with it. We would go back and forth, like a conversation, in the sermon. When preaching alone, I would use scripture that meant a lot to me during my YAV year and use it to share my experiences and challenges of living life differently once I returned. It was hard, but people so want to hear all about your YAV year! Another Experience (Individual)
Brenton Thompson
10-25 min
The several times I was asked to preach about my mission experience I drew upon the presentation I had prepared while part of YAVIT (See the “Multimedia Presentation” section) I’d choose a passage that was meaningful from my experience and found ways to incorporate several stories that helped illustrate the point of the passage and the sermon. If I was able to talk beforehand to the minister I liked to have some involvement in the shaping of the prayers for the service that reflected the theme of the sermon and/or incorporating the places where I had served.
Mission Fair Entertainment - we were invited to do this at some churches and are doing on for our church’s Faith in Action Day, Sept 29, 2010.
Scott & Gabby Dannemiller
45mins – 1 hour
Slideshow, music and storytelling
Equipment needed: sound equipment – 2 mikes, projector, screen, laptop, remote for laptop, 2 stools, music stands (if available)
We focus on the mission of the church (many of whom had partnerships in our YAV country of Guatemala). For the upcoming program, we will be talking about how mission is important in your family, community and internationally. We will weave in stories and some songs from our YAV year as well as other volunteer experiences we have had since that time.
Seminary Discernment Event – we were invited by the recruitment office
Scott & Gabby Dannemiller
1 hour
Slideshow, music, storytelling and Q&A
Equipment needed: sound equipment – 2 mikes, projector, screen, laptop, remote for laptop, 2 stools, music stands (if available)
At this event, we talked about our decision to change our lives for a year to become YAVs. Scott sang his song, “What Would You Do?” and we answered questions for possible seminary students. There were probably 15 people in attendance.
Coffeehouse Format – we were invited by the church
Scott & Gabby Dannemiller
30 min
Slideshow, music and storytelling
Equipment needed: sound equipment – 2 mikes, projector, screen, laptop, remote for laptop, 2 stools, music stands (if available)
This sounded like a great idea but the reality wasn’t as great. Because we were billed as entertainment during the meal, many people were talking and it was hard to tell if anyone was listening. People were up and walking around getting dessert and it was very distracting. I do not recommend this as a format if you can avoid it. Minute for Mission – Pentecost Offering – I requested the time to speak
Scott & Gabby Dannemiller
1 min
Equipment needed: 1 YAVA and a place to preach it about the YAV program!
Spoke for about 2 minutes about how Scott and I chose to become YAVs – that it was truly – for us – being called by God for something bigger than ourselves. I talked about how that year determines things from where we live and the house we live in to how we are raising our children, what Christmas gifts we buy (or more importantly don’t buy) and how we spend our money.
At the Presbytery Level
Rev. Laura Fry 10-15 min with a Team Several years out of the YAV program, I am now serving as a pastor in a presbytery with five other YAVA. It’s exciting that six young pastors in a single presbytery are former YAVs and I wanted us to speak about the impact of the YAV program on our lives and on our calling to ordained ministry. I proposed this to our Mission and Advocacy Committee and they requested docket time for us. We were given 12 minutes total in which to tell our stories. I invited each YAVA to speak for 2 minutes, sharing about a different aspect of the program. We selected these topics in advance and I gave a general introduction to the YAV program. Then the other YAVA each spoke on one of the following topics: the YAV program’s impact on their faith journey, on their understanding of the global church, on their commitment to the PCUSA, on their calling to ordained ministry, and closed with resources for pastors and elders to use to promote it in their congregations. Our goal was to educate pastors and elders about the YAV program with the hope that they might encourage young adults in their congregations to apply. We received a very positive response for our presentation. The one challenge was timing—it is hard to speak for only 2 minutes. I found it helpful to practice in advance with a stopwatch, which helped me to know exactly how concise I needed to be.
Another Experience (Individual)
Sarah Edgecombe 5 -10 min
I was invited to speak to one supporting Presbytery. I shared one brief story of my time there, gave an overview of what else I did that year, and then I thanked members of the Presbytery for their support during my YAV year.
Other means of communicating our Mission Year:
Website: www.dannemiller.net/mission — With the invention of Facebook and Blogs, I think this is probably a no-brainer for all YAVs that have access to the internet regularly.
Emails to family and friends – we also sent emails sporadically to friends and family back home and told them to check out our website
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III. Follow-up + Extras A. Post Presentation – “What to do afterwards”
1) Return the display boards (shipping already pre-paid)
2) Contact the YAV Office and let us know how things went
3) Evaluation
Upon completing a presentation we’d love to send you a online survey asking about how it went. Below are some of the types of things we’ll ask.
- When and where?
- Describe the presentation
- Brief summary of the style and content of your presentation
- How many people were present?
- How do you think it went?
- What would you change and/or do differently (If anything)?
- What things would you like us to know about the place?
- Is there a better contact person for Essie? Send her the info.
- Any other feedback? B. Pitfalls of YAVA Interpretation Trips
Here are some things that didn’t go great or that we wished had gone differently. Inevitably we will all have some of these disappointments along our “presentation” journey. We share these not to discourage anyone but just to let you know that something like this may happen and that it’s OKAY. As we all know, God works in us even when it feels like God’s hung us out to dry. 1) Talkers
We were scheduled at one church to do a “coffeehouse” format. This sounded really cool to us, people would eat and sit at tables and listen to our stories and songs. Unfortunately, people took this to mean they could talk and walk around and generally use us as background music. As you plan your presentations, consider this and maybe speak to the scheduler beforehand.
2) Not Well Attended
We traveled to many parts of the country and had churches pay for our travel and we would generally stay with church members. While this was exhausting, it saved the churches a lot of money and gave us an opportunity to know people better. We did have situations where we’d come all that way to only have 15 – 20 people attend. This was due to different reasons – maybe the church was small or the promotions weren’t very good. I would encourage all YAVA to be involved with your promotions so that you have a good turnout or ask someone you really trust to help with this.
3) Lack of Support from a Home Church
We all hope that our home church will be enthusiastic about our YAV year and want to make the most of the opportunity to promote mission and service. Sometimes this happens and it’s a great experience but sometimes it is a disappointment. We had one presentation at another YAV’s home church (this YAV presented with us) and the attendance was really low. It was very discouraging to the YAV and the YAV felt unsupported. Be aware that sometimes home churches really don’t understand the significance of your interpretation and you may want to talk to your senior pastor or other church official so they can help to ensure you feel loved and supported.
4) Leaving early
We were very informal in our presentations. We knew that some people had small children that might lose interest or infants that needed feeding etc. and we encouraged people to leave if necessary. It can be difficult to watch people walking out during your story. I think it’s important to remember that more times than not, the early departure has more to do with the person than it does with you.
5) Non-talkers
When leading Sunday School classes, sometimes the group listened well but didn’t engage in conversation like I’d hoped. It happens. I learned to be prepared with plenty of back-up stories, especially from other YAVs/Filipino church workers and members, so that I wasn’t only sharing my own perspective. I also learned that silence is ok; folks need time to look at pictures and soak it in.
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IV. Support resources A. YAV Storytelling & Interpretation by Ellen Sherby 1) Storytelling Tips
- Tell a story you love – but that will be relevant and understandable to others
- Think about your purpose – what do you want people to come away with? This will shape your content
- Give focus to the people with whom you served, illustrate what it meant to you without making yourself the “hero”
- Paint the picture. Give necessary descriptors to places or people without overloading
- Find and use your own style
- Consider “placement” of story within a presentation – how to weave together with other parts of the presentation and media (video, photos, music, activities)
- Relax
- Practice
- Give room for the listener to ask questions.
2) For storytelling “soundbytes”
- Use the example of one person who touched your life, or one brief incident
- Illustrate a unique quality of the YAV program – think “why YAV?” over another program, without bashing alternatives.
- Keep up-to-date on YAV recruitment timelines and places to serve
3) Links:
- Story Tips You Can Use from The Storytelling Center, Inc., New York
