Dean's
Time Line - Naramata
Back
to Dean's Job Description
At
Previous Year's Camp:
If you know more than one year in advance that you will be a Dean at a future
camp, it is important that you register for the same camp the previous year.
This will give you an opportunity to sit in on some staff meetings and talk
with the current Dean.
Try to line up some key staff, especially the Volunteer Coordinator and Operations
Manager. . Remember that staff should be diverse in terms of geography, gender,
age, etc. - but competence and enthusiasm are important
Register for the camp at which you will be Dean.
September-December:
Working With The Board
Rep and the Registrar:
You will find that the Board Rep and the Registrar will be your best friends
in providing information and answering questions. The Registrar will keep you
up-to-date on registered campers and other pertinent information.
During this time period you should receive from the Registrar:
1. Deans Manual for your camp
2. On October 15 a list of registered campers from Registrar
It is your responsibility to keep the Registrar informed of staff appointments
on a regular and timely basis. S/he will send contracts and Code of Ethics to
each staff person. S/he will keep you informed on the status of each staff person:
if s/he registered for camp, paid his/her deposit and camp fees, signed a contract
and Code of Ethics, and passed a Background/Police Check, when required.
Evaluation Of Last Camp:
A complete evaluation of the last camp should be e-mailed to you by the Boards
Recording Secretary. Read it and make note things that are of interest to you.
Theme Speaker:
As soon as possible, contact the Theme Speaker(s) to ensure the delivery of
a program that supports the Mission Statement and traditions of Eliot. Update
the Speaker(s) on any plans that will affect him/her/them and invite him/her/them
to participate at camp to the extent he/she/they is willing.
Discuss with the Speaker(s) the morning program, discussion groups, meetings
in the afternoons with the Small Group Facilitators and questions or suggestions
he/she/they may want to provide for the group discussions.
Ask if there are any books or materials he/she/they would like the camp bookstore
to have available.
Act as a liaison between the Board and Theme Speaker(s), when necessary. [The
Board is responsible for contracting with the Speaker and arranging travel.]
Work with the Bookstore at Naramata and ensure ordering of speakers books,
if any.
Video-Taping Theme Speaker(s):
Sometimes Childrens and Youth staff would like the opportunity to view
the speakers presentation. Therefore it is wise to get permission from
the speaker in advance to do this and then have the Volunteer Coordinator find
someone who would be willing to do the video-taping in the event it is requested.
Camp Theme:
Give your camp a theme - either the Adult Theme Speakers theme or a Deans
theme complementary to it. Integrate the camp theme into the flavour of the
camp newsletter and into volunteer events, for example by giving them names
which reflect the theme - be it nature, drama, community, peace, or whatever.
Canada Day/Independence Day:
Establish
how Canada Day (July 1) and U.S. Independence Day (July 4) will be marked or
celebrated - generally., the marking of these days should be low key, thoughtful,
and playful. The urge to celebrate and create a spectacle and ceremonial occasion
will be let loose on Friday night, in a Friday Finale wind-up event
involving food, music, dancing, signing, costumes, a lighted lantern procession
and the fire circle.
Selecting Camp Staff:
Before beginning to select your staff, become familiar with the job
descriptions for each position. This will make it easier to find people
qualified for the job. As soon as possible select your Volunteer Coordinator.
This person is the Deans right hand and can take on many tasks
to make your job more manageable. Currently, the Board reviews all jobs and
compensation (camp credits) at its January Board meeting. You will want to have
this information when you contact people to be on staff. If you hire
someone before this information is available, you need to tell the person there
may be changes from what was offered as compensation in the past. You are responsible
for selecting (except where noted) and supervising camp staff. Review Guidelines
for Selecting Staff
Camp Staff For Naramata:
1.
Youth Advisor
2. Childrens Program Coordinator
[NOTE: In the event enrollment for the Childrens and Youth Program is
minimal, these positions may be combined in a manner that best suits the camp.]
3. Young Adult Program Coordinator (when there are a sufficient number of young
adults registered)
4. Volunteer Coordinator
5. Operations Manager
6. Worship Coordinator
7. Music Coordinator
8. Waterfront Director/Lifeguard (needs certification)
9. Newsletter Editor
10. First Aid Volunteers (selection can be assigned to Volunteer Coordinator)
11. Small Group Moderator
12. Small Group Facilitators (Selection is assigned to Small Group Moderator)
13. Beverage and Recycling Coordinator
14. Grand Finale (Friday Night) Coordinator
15. Other staff. Examples:
16. Audio-visual Coordinator to handle arrangements for equipment and transporting
equipment from place to place.
17. Afternoon Art Coordinator
What To Communicate To Staff:
1. Make sure each staff member understands his/her job
description.
2. Ensure that each staff person has registered for camp and paid his/her deposit
and camp fees, if required. (Note: Currently the Board decides at its January
meeting the compensation for camp staff positions and the budget for each camp.)
3. Each staff person must sign a contract and Code of Ethics Statement, before
camp [this will be sent by the Registrar].
4. All staff working with children or youth under 18 years of age must submit
to a police check, before camp.
5. If a camp staff person will be crossing the US/Canada border they need to
be clear that they are going to camp. [Note: Canadians cannot volunteer
for positions in the U.S. that would take work away from an American. This is
also true for Americans going to Canada. To be safe, dont volunteer
information unless asked.]
6. Let the Newsletter Editor know that, as Dean, in case of Editorial conflict,
you hold final authority over the content and distribution of the Camp Newsletter.
Make sure the Newsletter Editor is aware of this policy. Ask the Newsletter
to prepare the first day newsletter in advance and send you a copy for your
perusal. It should include events planned for the evening and next day plus
a preview of events scheduled for each evening of the coming week.
7. The Small Group Moderator should seek help from the Volunteer Coordinator
in finding volunteers to be facilitators. You will also have a list of people
who volunteer at last years camp. The volunteers meet with the Theme Speaker
on the first day and then each afternoon of camp. They bring to these meetings
feedback from their small group. Whenever possible, facilitators should be experienced
campers.
Deadline: It is desired that all staff positions be filled prior to March
15 for Summer camps. After these dates the Registrar cannot guarantee housing
for family members of staff. However, if you are unable to fill a position by
the deadline, the Registrar will reserve space for people filling those positions.
Report To Board: As Dean, you will be expected to make a report to the
Board within four months after camp. With this in mind, begin now to make notes
of things that you want to include in your report that will be helpful to the
Board and to future Deans.
January-April: Staff the
camp.
March: Staffing should be
completed by March 15. However, if you are unable to fill a position by the
deadline, the Registrar will reserve space for people filling those positions.
For each staff person:
1.
Has s/he reviewed their job description?
2. Has
s/he registered for camp?
3. Has
s/he C received, signed and returned a contract and Code of Ethics?
4. If
s/he is working with children or youth, has s/he passed/provided a background/police
check?
5. Has
this information been given to/received from the Registrar?
Scheduling:
Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to schedule in advance the major evening
and afternoon events for the week, establishing times, locations, etc.
Ensure that these decisions are given to the Newsletter Editor for inclusion
in the newsletter.
If you want schedule included in the roster, let Registrar know.
Mail-Back Form:
Ensure that Volunteer Coordinator is working with the Registrar to prepare
form to go to campers. (Copy can be obtained from Registrar) The Registrar
will most likely want to send this with camp invoices, so check date with
him/her.
Camp Budget:
A budget for camp will be established at the January meeting of the Board.
You should receive a copy from the Treasurer. It is your responsibility to
ensure that all conference expenditures are within budget. Supplies can be
reimbursed if a person submits a request to the Dean. You need to let volunteers
know that all reimbursements need to go through you. You are responsible for
signing reimbursement requests and submitting them to the Treasurer within
30 days of the Camp (except phone bills with be allowed 45 days). Review budget
and inventory with staff. You can obtain a copy of current inventory - supplies
on hand at Naramata - from the Registrar.
May:
1. On May 1, Registrar releases spaces held for staff, and fills camp from
waiting list. If any staff are missing, talk to him/her.
2. Send copies of previous (2) years newsletters to Newsletter Editor.
3. Contact all staff - by phone, and send a letter or email
4. Outline the Deans theme and any special activities for the camp
5. Solicit requests for the Deans Letter - do they want campers to bring
anything special (e.g. art or worship materials, music) or do any preparation
before camp.
6. Contact Naramata Centre and inform them that you are the Dean for the camp.
Dean's Letter To Campers:
One month before camp the Registrar sends a pre-camp newsletter
to campers telling them the standard information of what to bring, how to
get to camp, etc. Space is available for the Dean to input special information
regarding your camp. In coordination with the Registrar and Volunteer Coordinator
prepare your section. [The Registrar needs your material three weeks in advance
of the mailing date to have time to edit, format and print the newsletter.]
If there is going to be an Art Show, the letter needs to state that items
can be sold with 10% of sale going to Eliot. All sales of goods and services,
other than those at Art Show, must be approved in advance by the Dean.
Letters To Children And Youth:
May 1: Have Childrens Program Director and Youth Advisor prepare letters
of welcome to children/youth in their program and their parents. Names and
address labels (if wanted) will be provided by the Registrar. These letters
should give an overview of the program planned and note if donations of money
or snacks are wanted for sleepover or other occasions. Inform staff to keep
track of expenses so they can reimbursed.
May 1: Have Childrens Program Director and Youth Advisor provide you
with an outline of their program for review.
On May 15, send Welcome Letters to children and youth.
If practical, have a staff meeting before camp. Send notes to those unable
to attend.
Dean and Volunteer Coordinator purchase supplies for afternoon and evening
programs. Check inventory lists, and prepare to update first aid kits, and
supplies for festivities.
June:
1. Ask the Registrar to send you a draft of the informational pages to check
the list of conference staff.
2. Ask for a list of new campers from the Registrar. With the Volunteer Coordinator
plans ways to easily integrated newcomers into the camp. If possible let newcomers
know of planned events just for them, i.e. Newcomers Orientation, etc.
3. Schedule a meeting with staff at camp prior to camp registration. This
is usually 2 p.m. for summer camps. Make sure staff and Conference Center
are aware of the meeting time and place. Write agenda and photocopy.
4. On June 15 (or per contract), send a schedule of the groups sessions
and break times as well as meeting room set-up information to
Naramata Centre so appropriate staffing can be provided. (For spontaneous
workshops request equipment and chairs to be in designated rooms, to be set
up by our own volunteers.) (Registrar will send room assignments and meal
requests.) Keep a written record of any correspondence and agreement reached
with Naramata.
Planning:
1. Plan All-Camp Orientation - write agenda, plan songs with Music Director,
and any fun stuff (hats, costumes, skit?) in staff introduction.
2. Make any photocopies you know you need, and take them to camp with you.
3. If there are a large number of young adult registered for camp, arrange
for an orientation for Young Adults and provisions for a Young Adult discussion
group.
At Camp:
1. Serve as liaison between the Eliot Institute and the Naramata Camp management
for the conference, carrying out the duties of Group Coordinator
as set out in Naramata Centres contract package.
2. Maintain a high visibility and accessibility to campers and staff alike.
3. During the conference, any urgent messages for participants will be directed
to the Dean. All other messages will be posted on the Centres message
board and can be retrieved by campers.
4. During the camp, obtain from the Registrar and volunteer staff updates
on meal numbers (e.g. youth on out-trip), late arrivals, no-shows,
early departures, etc. and communication to Naramata Centre staff. ***Attention
to these details save Eliot money!
5. Be in daily contact with the Eliot Board President or her/his representative
at camp.
First Day Of Camp:
1. Upon arrival, meet with Naramata staff to receive the set of master keys
from Naramata Centre staff, and pass them on to the Operations Manager. They
are issued to provide for the following:
- if any camper inadvertently lock themselves out of their accommodations
- to unlock/lock meeting spaces/building after Naramata Centre staff have
left for the day.
Staff Meeting:
Meet with the conference staff no later than 2 p.m. Establish a time for regular
staff meetings each day of the session thereafter [as a rule this has been
1 p.m. for Summer camps]. The Board President or designee is to be included
in these meetings. Remind Children and Youth staff that fund-raising for their
program events needs to be approved by you.
Other:
Make sure a basket for donations, food, etc. has been set out for campers
who wish to contribute.
Video Selection Policy: The Board recommends to Eliot Deans that discretion
be used in selecting video tapes, movies, rock videos, etc. for viewing by
campers. For recreation and entertainment purposes we suggest shows not be
violent or pornographic; for program purposes, investigation and discussion
of popular show/videos might be beneficial from a Unitarian point
of view, with qualified leaders. These statements are for guidance only.
Camp Orientation Meeting:
Convene and chair the orientation meeting for all campers on the first evening,
outlining conference rules and expectations. (Include clarification of Board
policy re: sales and solicitation of business during the conference.) Other
possible items to discuss: Community creation (wear nametag except when sleeping);
inclusiveness, the book Store; Alcohol presence around kids.
Solicit qualified first-aid volunteers, if not done in advance, to be available
for voluntary assistance. Names and housing locations of volunteers should
be posted at the first aid box.
Ensure that a calendar of events and special bulletins are prominently displayed.
Let campers know that Eliot By-Laws and other information are available in
the Registrars notebook and where that is located.
Newcomer Orientation Or Event:
Hold new camper orientation or event on arrival day and follow up as needed
During Camp:
Meet with the camp staff daily to discuss schedule, concerns, etc. The Board
Chair or designee is to be included in these meetings.
Work with the Volunteer Coordinator as needed in scheduling events, locations
Review newsletter before it is printed
Serve as mediator in cases in dispute, consulting with the Eliot Board for
clarification and support.
Ensure that campers are reminded to fill out their evaluation forms. If they
were not included in registration packet, hand out at Friday lunch. The Registrar
will collect the evaluations and give/send to the Recording Secretary for
tabulation.
Last Day:
Collect Reimbursement request forms from Staff. Sign and give/mail to Treasurer.
Publicly thank host camp staff and management at breakfast or lunch.
Ensure that Childrens Program Director, Youth Advisor, Operations Manager,
Worship Coordinator, Music Coordinator and others involved complete an ending
inventory (including banners) before appropriately storing all supplies. This
report should be submitted to the Dean who will give a copy to the Registrar
before leaving camp.
As a courtesy, upon departure, check out with the Naramata management.
Give your manual to the next Dean (if s/he is present) or to the Registrar.
After Camp:
Within four months of camp, prepare a written report and evaluation of the
camp. It is preferred that the report be e-mailed to the Registrar and Recording
Secretary who will then see it gets to the Board and future Deans. The report
should include names of recommended staff and recommended discussion leaders.
[NOTE: If Deans Reports are not received within four (4) months after
the camp, the stipend will be forfeited.]
The Dean's Report:These are things you might like to include in your report:
1. What went well
2. What could have been better
3. New ideas worth repeating
4. Recommendations to the Board
5. People you would recommend for future staff positions
8. Concerns
Give
the Dean's Manual to the Registrar (if the next Dean was not at camp) so s/he
can pass in on to the next Dean.
Staff Reports:
As a rule, the only person required to make a report at the end of camp is
the Dean. However, reports are often prepared by Program Staff and others.
Inform your staff that a brief report, after camp, would be helpful. It could
contain high points of the week and suggestions for next camp. In doing so
ask that they not put in their reports negative comments that disparage individual
staff members or volunteers by name, but by title only. Such comments, when
received, shall be marked confidential, with hard copies only forwarded to
Board members. Reports approved by the Board will be distributed to interested
others at the Boards discretion.
These reports, whenever possible, should be e-mailed to you or directly to
the Registrar and Recording Secretary.
Back
to Eliot Jobs