# Processes # Facilitator Recruitment # Process: Facilitator Recruitment ## Overview Facilitator recruitment runs from January through early March, moving from identification through personal invitation to finalization. ## Timeline **January:** WSLT hosts check-in with current facilitators. Begin discerning which participants might serve as facilitators. Apprentices practice facilitation in their own groups. **February:** 1. WSLT and current facilitators identify candidates. 2. Ministerial staff lead sends email to current and past Sources participants inviting them to consider facilitation. 3. WSLT and/or current facilitators extend personal invitations. 4. During a Sources session, invite participants to write down 1-2 names of people from their group who they think might be a good facilitator. 5. Volunteers fill out the [Serve Form](https://foothillsuu.churchcenter.com/people/forms/80423) under "Adult Spiritual Deepening." **Early March:** Facilitators are finalized. They identify preferred time slots and retreat date. **March:** The Wellspring Annual Gathering also serves as a facilitator recruitment opportunity. **April:** WSLT identifies mentors for new facilitators and begins onboarding. ## Key Principle Over 1/5 of people at Foothills have been through Wellspring. The best recruitment comes from 1:1 personal invitations from current facilitators and WSLT members who have seen potential in participants. ## Requirement Participants being considered should have been active at Foothills in attendance, small group, or volunteer capacity. This requirement needs to be faithfully adhered to. (Lesson from 2023-24: two newcomers to UU faith in one group was viewed as an impediment to full participation.) --- ## See Also - [Recruiting Sources Participants](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/recruiting-sources-participants) - [Sources Facilitator](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/sources-facilitator) - [Full Annual Timeline](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/full-annual-timeline) # Participant Recruitment # Process: Participant Recruitment ## Overview Participant recruitment runs from April through May, relying heavily on personal invitations from Wellspring graduates. ## Timeline **April:** 1. Newsletter article promoting WS Sources enrollment is published. 2. Current year's facilitators speak with their groups about sharing WS experience and encouraging next-year participation. 3. Email is sent to all Wellspring grads asking whom they would nominate for Sources next year, using the [Wellspring Nomination Form](https://foothillsuu.churchcenter.com/people/forms/96713) and Interested In Wellspring Group. 4. WS Sources testimonial chalice lighting is offered by a current participant or facilitator during Sunday service. 5. WSLT and/or next year's facilitators host "Ask Me About Wellspring" information session at coffee hour (mid-to-late April). **May:** 1. WSLT sends All Wellspring Groups Feedback Form. 2. WSLT reviews Sources applications. Roster is finalized. 3. WSLT sends ministerial lead a list of people requesting financial support. 4. WSLT notifies Sources participants by email of their enrollment. ## The Ask (from Grad Recruitment Email) Wellspring grads are asked to: 1. Make a list of three people who need Wellspring (remembering they should have been around Foothills for a bit and participated in adult programs or small groups). 2. Write each of them a note sharing one reason they loved the experience and a specific reason why they think that person would too. Invite them to chat about it in the next two weeks. 3. Share the link to the [Wellspring page](https://foothillsuu.org/leaders/wellspring/). ## Key Principle 1:1 personal invitations from Wellspring grads are the most effective way to get the right people into the program. ## Application - [Sources Application Form](https://foothillsuu.churchcenter.com/people/forms/391442) (updated each March with facilitator-confirmed meeting times and retreat date) - [Love at the Center Application (Admin)](https://people.planningcenteronline.com/forms/769794) / [Public](https://foothillsuu.churchcenter.com/people/forms/769794) --- ## See Also - [Recruiting Sources Participants](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/recruiting-sources-participants) - [Forms and Links](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/forms-and-links) - [Full Annual Timeline](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/full-annual-timeline) # Second-Year Offerings # Process: Second-Year Offerings ## Overview Second-year Wellspring offerings (Sacred Arts, Faithful Action, etc.) are self-facilitating groups for Sources graduates. The WSLT discerns interest, coordinates enrollment, and provides initial support, but the groups themselves share facilitation responsibilities. ## Curriculum Options Check [UU Wellspring](https://uuwellspring.org/) for current second-year program descriptions. Past offerings at Foothills have included Sacred Arts and Faithful Action. ## Timeline **January:** WSLT discerns whether there is interest in a second-year offering and which curriculum might be offered, with input from current Sources facilitators and past participants. **March:** Once Sources facilitators are finalized, WSLT surveys WS grads and current Sources participants to measure interest. Creates or updates second-year enrollment form. **April:** If offering is planned, WSLT emails WS Sources grads with curriculum details and enrollment link. **May:** WSLT finalizes participant roster and notifies participants. **June:** WSLT notifies participants of group assignments if necessary. Church staff builds PCO groups. **June/July:** WSLT emails self-facilitating groups with their curriculum-specific password and encouragement to begin forming. **August:** WSLT offers encouragement as needed for groups to schedule first session. **October:** WSLT offers ongoing support/encouragement if needed. ## Self-Facilitating Group Expectations Each participant shares in facilitation responsibilities. Groups are encouraged to: - Identify a volunteer to take administrative lead for the first session or two - Establish a covenant during the first session - Take turns sending out session assignments, making room/zoom reservations, facilitating sessions, and recording attendance - Meet bimonthly on a day and time determined by the group --- ## See Also - [Recruiting Second-Year Participants](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/recruiting-second-year-participants) - [Second-Year Group Assignments](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/second-year-group-assignments) # Opening Retreat # Process: Opening Retreat ## Overview The opening retreat launches each new Sources cohort, typically held in August before year-long groups begin meeting in September. The retreat format varies depending on how many groups are forming. ## Format **Single group forming:** That group's facilitators conduct the retreat with the WSLT available to assist if needed. **Multiple groups forming:** The WSLT will be more involved, opening and closing the retreat and supplementing the facilitators' work with their own groups while creating a shared experience across the groups. The ministerial staff lead may meet briefly with retreat attendees to encourage and inspire. ## Logistics - All facilitators must commit to the same retreat date if multiple groups are forming (confirmed in March). - Submit [Event Reservation and Promotion Form](https://foothillsuu.wufoo.com/forms/svd5lcv1thok5d/) for room reservations. - Retreat supplies (printing, etc.) come from the Wellspring budget. ## Participant Preparation Before the retreat, participants should: - Read as much of *Everyday Spiritual Practice* edited by Scott W. Alexander as they can - Choose one or two spiritual practices from the book to try - Respond in their journal to: "How do you describe your spiritual life?" - Watch the video on [Why Respecting Pronouns Is So Important](https://youtu.be/p3jhJPPjEUE) - Bring a writing device or paper/pen (or the optional UU Wellspring Sources Reflection Journal), a folder or binder, two smooth stones, and an open mind and heart --- ## See Also - [Welcome Letter 1 - The Basics](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/welcome-letter-1-the-basics) - [Welcome Letter 2 - More Information](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/welcome-letter-2-more-information) - [Required and Optional Books](https://guide.foothillsuu.org/books/wellspring/page/required-and-optional-books)