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TRINITY CHURCH First Impressions Team - Expectations
What is the First Impressions Team? W e exist as a service team to create a warm and welcoming environment for guests to encounter Jesus. Our goal is to turn first time guests into second-time guests. A first time visitor will make a decision about whether to return or not within seven minutes of arrival. Statistically, if a first-time guest returns for a second time, he or she is 80% more likely to get plugged into other ministries of the church. At the end of the day, Trinity Church is about people. And so our First Impressions Team is about people. Calling We believe that everyone is called to play a part in making God known in the world. As in any role at Trinity Church, there should be both an internal and external agreement as to how you live out that calling. Both you and the ministry leader should have a shared sense of this (Acts 13:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:2, Acts 6). Values The values of our team are expressed in the Bible, but we especially expect that you would: ● Maintain the unity of Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3). ● Embrace and encourage direct communication, speaking with love and truth, in humility (Matthew 18:15-18). ● Embrace compassion, kindness, patience and humility (Colossians 3:12; Phil 2:3). ● Follow the example of Jesus Christ in servant leadership; willingly serve in the lowest spot, with humility, as needed (Matthew 20, Mark 10, Philippians 2:7). Remember to S.M.I.L.E!
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Other Expectations 1. Serve for at least six months or until we have another RE-UP. You can always do more, but this is the minimum. 2. Utilize Planning Center Online, aka PCO, to sign up, accept or decline each month. 3. Find your own replacement. If you are unable to serve on a day/time you are scheduled, please find a replacement and let either Monica Ward in Greenwich (monica.ward@trinitychurch.life) or Mary Grace Gabriel in Darien (marygrace.gabriel@trinitychurch.life) know who will be covering. 4. Complete trainings and refresher courses as necessary. Trainings, through an on-line program called Right Now Media, will provide an opportunity to stay up to date and catch the vision from the convenience of your home computer. Roles & Responsibilities ● Greeting & Offering Receiving: M ake guests feel valued with a sincere greeting and a friendly presence. o Give a warm welcome and a smile. Try saying, “Welcome, it’s great to see you!” o Encourage guests to wear a name tag as it allows us to serve them communion by name. You could even offer to write it for them. o Hand out any printed material that may be offered to people before and/or after the service. o Receive the Offering (Greenwich only): Part of serving as a Greeter means you will most likely help receive the offering. Pick up a basket before sitting down and then be ready to “take your post” when it is time to collect the offering. Pray for generous hearts as you move through the aisles. ● Next Steps Host: Go above and beyond to serve our first-time guests in answering questions, providing a genuine welcome, friendly follow up and helping them take their next steps at Trinity. o Set up the next steps podium / table. o Greet: Give a warm welcome and a smile. Try saying, “I don’t think we have had a chance to meet yet. I’m Jake, what’s your name?” o Connection Card: Try saying, “We would love to thank you for coming today. Would you mind giving us your contact information? ● Parking: I nitiate a warm welcome and clear direction in the Parking lot o Wear an orange vest for safety and to indicate your role. o Direct people to open parking spots as needed. o Give a warm welcome and a smile. Try saying, “Good morning, so glad you could be here today!” ● Venue and Signage Team: o Set up interior signage o Set up welcome table o Assist where needed ● First Impressions Lead - (Serves a minimum of 3-4 times/month): o Takes ownership of the guest’s first impression experience on a Sunday. This includes ensuring greeters, ushers, connectors, and parking team is in place and ready to serve, as well as ownership of “counting” the offering (Greenwich only) with other volunteers (must be background checked). Your ultimate goal is to ensure a welcoming environment in the church. This Lead is also responsible for building a strong team and empowering the team as well as maintaining volunteer schedules. ● Environment / Lobby Lead - (Serves a minimum of 3-4 times/month): o Takes ownership of the guest experience on a Sunday. This includes lobby aesthetics, registration, environments, table displays, store set-ups, refreshment area and navigation. Your ultimate goal is to ensure a welcoming environment in the church. o The Lead is also responsible for building a strong team and empowering the team as well as maintaining volunteer schedules.
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Questions There are a lot of things going on at Trinity Church. If you get a question you don’t know the answer to, don’t sweat it. Help the person get the answer they need. Here are some resources you might need… NEXT STEPS AREA Walk newcomers over to the Next Steps Table to fill out a Connection Card and find out more information about Trinity. POINT TO THE WEBSITE Trinity’s website has updated event and contact information. FILL OUT A CARD Fill out a Connection Card with their question written on the back. Someone will follow up with the answer to their question early in the week. ASK A STAFF PERSON Staff people are usually nearby and should be able to answer most programming questions. APPENDIX – OFFERING PROCEDURE (GREENWICH ONLY) Reviewed July 2019: 1. Team Lead (someone who has been background checked) – assigns volunteers to positions and distributes baskets. 2. Team Lead- Get deposit bags from Office box (arrives/departs with Kelly Lally or Tech Team) and set up in counting area. 3. Deposit bags include tally sheet, a pen, a calculator and an envelope for checks. 4. Team Lead collects baskets and selects a volunteer to help count. ● There must always be 2 people present for counting. ● One must always be a team leader who has been background checked. ● Two people from the same family may not count together. 5. Checks are collected and placed in the envelope provided in the offering bag. Do not open or unfold checks. All bills and change are separated by denomination and recorded on the tally sheet. 6. Each person must count cash at least one time to verify that the amounts agree. ● Complete the line for cash total and both counters must sign form. 7. Team Lead locks bag with key and gives key to Kathy Nelson and bag to Kelly Lally (or designated Staff member if Kathy and/or Kelly are not on site). ● The key and bag must not be given to the same person. 8. Kathy and Kelly deliver the key and the bags to the Finance Office at 5 River Road.