Leadership of COA
Responsibilities:
- The main responsibility is to teach the COA course to youth from all Long Island Area Council member congregations recommended by their Religious Educator.
- Handbook and curriculum printing and distribution. Leaders shall spend any time they deem sufficient to cover all subjects in the curriculum.
- The program leaders arrange the locations in September, using the space at various UU societies on Long Island. The leaders are also required to make all reservations necessary for the trip to Boston and the tour of the UUA. These arrangements are scheduled as soon as the total number of participants is known.
- The Co-Leaders are responsible for sharing teaching and worship duties, setting the schedule for the individual weekends, materials preparation for each session and arranging meal preparation donated by parents.
- After each session, one co-leader shall write a report (email) to the parents giving information about the session and communicating expectations for the next session. This communication may be shared between the leaders of the team.
- At least one leader should stay for the overnight “good practice” session designed to prepare the group for the sleeping routine of the Boston Trip.
- At least one co-leader is needed to go on the Boston trip.
- Write an Annual Report to the LIAC Board.
- The recognition service must be planned and held, usually the first Saturday in June.
Requirements for Leadership:
- The leaders need to have an understanding and appreciation of youth.
- They need to be members in good standing of a Unitarian Universalist congregation.
- Some training or experience as an educator is preferred. Experience with youth preferred.
- Good communication skills, self-awareness and understanding of others, sensitivity, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and a positive attitude are all important attributes.
- It is important that leaders have a social network outside their religious education responsibility in which to meet their own needs for friendship, affirmation and self-esteem.
- Leaders need to be willing and able to seek assistance from colleagues and religious professionals when they become aware of a situation requiring expert help or intervention.
- Driver’s license is required.
- Sign the Code of Ethics statement and follow procedures according to the Safe Congregation material published/recommended by the UUA.
- Successfully pass a background check.
- COA leaders will be appointed and approved by the LIAC Board in consultation with current COA leadership.
Time commitments:
- Introduce the course in one mandatory parent/mentor orientation which may last two-four hours.
- Four Saturday instructional periods.
- Two or more hour’s preparation time (estimated) for each session is needed.
- The trip to Boston is three days,from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
- There is an optional overnight on one of the weekends in preparation for the Boston Trip.
