General Synod 32 - Volunteering 101
Milwaukee, June 21-25, 2019
The Wisconsin Conference is excited to host the 32nd General
Synod of the UCC! Three to four hundred volunteers will be needed throughout the five days of General Synod next June and we will need your help! Here are some FA
Qs
(Frequently Asked Questions) to answer What, Who, When, Where, Why,
How and more!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What & Why:
General Synod is the bi-annual gathering of the United Church of Christ drawing
delegates and visitors from across the nation, and abroad. We gather to remember who we are as a denomination, to explore and reignite our call to ministry on behalf of Jesus Christ, to learn, to worship, to reach out to our brothers and sisters most in need of our advocacy and compassionate presence and to attend to the business and leadership needed for the denomination.
Who:
Volunteers will be engaged through the Local Arrangements Committee, (LAC), whose ministry it is to assist the National UCC staff for General Synod 32. Can you stand, sit, walk or run? Volunteers from congregations in the Wisconsin Conference will fill a variety of positions. You will be asked to provide at least 4 hours of volunteer time. Note that some positions will require a background check - such as anyone working with children or youth.
When:
Volunteers will be needed throughout General Synod Friday, June 21-Tuesday, June 25. Some additional help will be needed in the months, weeks or days before General Synod. Please note that delegates will not be able to volunteer during Synod.
Where:
General Synod's plenary business sessions, worship, workshops and exhibits will be held at the Wisconsin Center (400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee)
.
wisconsincenter.com
. Volunteers will also be needed at delegate hotels, the Intermodal Station in downtown Milwaukee and Mitchell Airport.
How: In January 2019 Volunteer registration will be available on-line through the Wisconsin Conference website page for General Synod
(wcucc.org/synod). Information with the link will also be emailed to local congregations. All registrations for Volunteering will be done electronically using the on-line form which will include the positions available and the dates/times volunteers are needed.
Once you are confirmed as an Official Volunteer by the LAC you will receive a code and can then register as an attendee on the UCC General Synod website. Volunteers attend the Synod at a reduced cost of $60. DO NOT Register on the Synod website until you have been confirmed by the LAC and have received the code.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Brief descriptions of volunteer positions available are listed here. More information will be available when you sign up in January:
Extravagant Hospitality and Welcome:
Welcome and direct delegates and visitors at Mitchell Airport, the Intermodal Station downtown (bus and train) and at the hotels.
Registration Table
: A
ssist with the check-in process at the Wisconsin Center.
Guides and Greeters:
Provide information and an extravagant welcome to delegates and visitors at the doors and throughout the Wisconsin Center.
Special Accommodations
: Assist those with motorized scooters, or who need other accommodations, on site at General Synod.
Childcare and Children's Ministry:
Provide adult supervision and program teachers for age-appropriate child care and children's ministry activities throughout Synod for infants through the age of 12. This includes on-site care and programming as well as possible "off-site" field trips. All volunteers in this area will have a background check. Help will also be needed in procuring, delivering and returning equipment needed.
Word Processing for Education and Committee Process:
Use a computer to maintain edits and changes in the language of Synod pronouncements to assigned committees.
Floor Stewards:
Assist voting delegates throughout plenary sessions to make sure they have information needed.
Exhibit Hall Support:
Direct visitors to exhibits, answer general questions, and help to clear the hall of people at worship and closing time.
Worship Ushers
: Provide ushering services during the various worship services of Synod. Welcome, hand out materials, collect offering, distribute communion, etc.
Volunteer Service Support:
Support volunteers before and during General Synod.
App-bassadors:
Help delegates and visitors as needed to access and use the app which provides all General Synod information
Outdoor Festival:
Direct and assist attendees at the Sunday Festival to be held at a nearby park. Enjoy food, fellowship and entertainment. All members of Wisconsin Conference Congregations are invited to attend the festival.
Flexible On-Call:
On-call volunteers will cover needs which arise unexpectedly during General Synod.
And More:
If other opportunities arise, more volunteers may be needed. We'll keep you posted!
Consider how you and others in your congregations can volunteer at General Synod 32 in Milwaukee June 21-25, 2019! Watch for more information and sign up in January!
Grace and peace,
General Synod 32 LAC Coordinators:
Bonnie Andrews, Debbie Payden, Tom Payden, Tim Perkins
