A congregation may serve as a host or support
congregation for guests for 3 or 4 weeks each year, one week at a time.
A host congregation is responsible for the overall evening housing of
the guests each week, while some support congregations help the host
congregation with volunteers as needed.
In
order to make a host week successful, there are several ways for
volunteers to become involved. Volunteers may serve on a “set up” or
“take down” or “laundry” team; they may coordinate donations of food,
drive the van, serve dinner, plan or lead evening activities, or stay
overnight. Even host children and youth may help by playing with the
guest children. These activities are coordinated by one lead volunteer
at the congregation,.The Volunteer Coordinator has the responsibility to
interact with volunteers, clergy, guests, and WIHN staff. This person
usually has good communication skills, can recruit effectively, is
flexible, and acts with diplomacy. His or her role is not limited to
one specific area, but requires a good team of volunteers to help manage
the host week. There are over 50 congregations that are actively
involved in our network.
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