Section 2 Orientation
Invitation and Placement
Orientation and Checklist
Ministry Position Descriptions
Change of Personal Information
Background Checks
Invitation and Placement
GBCC generally follows these guidelines when it comes to inviting volunteers to service in the ministries and programs of the church.
- Ministry leaders must be regular attendees and/or members of Green Bay Community Church.
- Potential volunteers who desire to work in areas of implied trust, especially those who work with children and youth, will be required to undergo a background check. All information related to background checks will be held in strictest confidence.
- Key leadership positions require that an interview process be followed.
Volunteers should attend all new and on-going training opportunities offered by the church.
Orientation Checklist
New volunteers will undergo an orientation to acquaint them with the church’s guidelines and procedures, their ministry position descriptions, and their working relationships.
As part of the orientation, you’ll receive a copy of this handbook, which contains the church’s guidelines for serving as a volunteer; you’ll be asked to sign a “Statement of Acknowledgment” noting that you’ve received and understand the material contained in the handbook.
Your leader typically will orient you to the specific area of ministry in which you’ll be serving, as well as help you understand processes and relationships within that area of ministry. In addition, your leader will talk through your ministry position description so that you understand the duties you’ll fulfill as a volunteer. The goal is to help you succeed as you give of your time, talents, and gifts to serve others.
You can find the Volunteer Orientation Checklist in the Forms section of this handbook.
Ministry Position Descriptions
Green Bay Community Church uses ministry position descriptions so that both volunteers and the church know what is mutually expected, and so that the volunteer can be held accountable to fulfill the responsibilities of the ministry position.
A ministry position description summarizes your duties and responsibilities and gives you important information about your area of service. Your leader will supply your ministry position description. Please read and study it carefully and discuss it with your leader if you have any questions.
Please note that the church reserves the right to revise and update your ministry description from time to time, as it deems necessary and appropriate. Of course, if you’re currently in a position, you’ll certainly be informed about any changes; your leader may also ask you to help evaluate revisions and improvements to your ministry position.
Change of Personal Information
It’s important that the church has up-to-date, complete, and accurate information about each of the people who serve in ministry here. Please notify your leader and the church office immediately if there is a change involving your name, address, phone number, marital status, etc.
Keeping your personal information updated serves several purposes. In a most practical sense, it allows the church and/or your leader to contact you, to notify or remind you of meetings, and to let you know about changes in schedules. It also allows other workers to contact you if they are ill or injured and need to find a substitute to fill their ministry position temporarily.
Background Checks
Volunteers at Green Bay Community Church who work with children and youth (and other vulnerable groups) must submit to various screening procedures. The primary type of background check includes a U.S. Criminal Record Indicator database search and a Social Security number search.
A U.S. Criminal Record Indicator database check searches electronic criminal files and record databases of government agencies, including sexual offenders’ registries. Manual records of some records may also be needed in states or counties that don’t keep electronic records.
A Social Security number search verifies an individual’s name, state, and last three addresses; this prevents people from providing false identification.
Other screening procedures by the church might include a motor vehicle report or a local police record check.
The results of all screening procedures are kept in strictest confidence. Most of these procedures include certain rights for you as a volunteer, such as disclosure of the results.
