ONS (Orientation for New Staff) 2018Small Group Leader Position Description

Summary: ONS Small Group Leaders provide leadership for a group of 6-8 new staff participating in ONS. They serve as shepherds, coaches, mentors, and guides throughout the 7-day orientation.

Responsibilities:

Lead a small group of 6-8 new staff throughout ONS, which may include the following:

  • Facilitating small group table discussions during plenary sessions
  • Facilitating small group debrief times
  • Leading a 90-minute small group bible study
  • Coaching and guiding small group members through ONS experiences, such as MPD role plays and conversational evangelism
  • Praying and providing pastoral care for new staff, as appropriate
  • Sharing general feedback about strengths and developmental needs with each small group member and his/her supervisor

Participate in daily overview/debrief meetings with all ONS Program Staff

Inform ONS Program Director of crisis issues related to new staff and/or Small Group Leaders such as medical emergencies and major pastoral needs

Some Small Group Leaders will also have limited teaching/training responsibilities such as leading a seminar or sharing an MPD story from up-front. These responsibilities will be communicated several weeks before ONS begins.

Time Commitments:

Pre-ONS: 5-6 hours of prayer and preparation, including a conference call (time TBD). The preparation will help Small Group Leaders become familiar with the program and their roles at ONS.

Small Group Leaders Training & Orientation (Madison): June 19. This compact training and orientation period will give Small Group Leaders the tools they need to lead well during ONS.

ONS (Madison): June 20-June 27

Post-ONS: 1-2 hours to provide feedback to ONS and to reflect on what they have learned about ministry and leadership during ONS.

Opportunities for Growth:

The ONS Small Group Leader experience is a developmental opportunity, especially for staff who want to learn about supervision. Within the framework of ONS, Small Group Leaders function as “supervisors” for new staff. Below is a sampling of skills that Small Group Leaders will learn and practice:

  • Putting on different “hats” of supervision, such as coaching and shepherding
  • Leading new staff through discipleship cycles of hearing, response, and debrief to maximize learning
  • Building a geographically dispersed small group community
  • On-ramping new staff with different levels of experience with InterVarsity
  • Relating to national leaders and trainers
  • Praying for and discerning the Holy Spirit’s leading
  • Identifying and sharing constructive feedback with new staff

ONS Small Group Leaders Training and Orientation, which focuses on leadership skills that are transferrable to their home campus context

Peer coaching and trouble-shooting with other Small Group Leaders throughout ONS

Access to ONS Program Director, training team, and Learning & Talent Department, including just-in-time coaching consultations during ONS

Qualifications:

3+ years staff experience with InterVarsity. This position is recommended for 3rd to 8th year CSMs/TLs who have potential to become TLs/AADs/ADs.

Willingness to learn and try on skills related to leading staff