ST. MARK ESL

VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

Attendance Compilation Lead/Back-up Attendance Compilation Lead – This volunteer works closely with parish staff and the ESL Program Coordinator to provide each class’s volunteers with attendance tracking tools for inclusion with after class reporting. Currently an EXCEL spreadsheet is used to report each class’s attendance and to “roll up” attendance program-wide. At the beginning of the term, several iterations/updates are required as enrollment is adjusted for new registrants, late registrants, and class transfers/changes. A weekly attendance summary is provided to the ESL Program Coordinator and used by the Student Incentive Program Coordinator to determine midterm and end-of-term awards. The volunteer ensures that all attendance reporting is accurate and timely and assists in validating the reporting by the various teaching teams. (Time commitment: varies)

Beginner Workshop Instructors – These volunteers plan and execute appropriate lesson plans to improve beginner students’ skills, reinforcing the skills taught in the Beginner 1 & Beginner 2 classes. The workshop instructors use both interactive exercises and the companion workbooks* for the Beginning 1 & Beginner 2 classes. *They do not move forward in the workbooks beyond the material covered in the core ESL classes. After some initial exercises with the entire group, the students are subdivided into Beginner 1 students & Beginner 2 students for skills practice. The Beginner Workshop instructors complete and distribute prompt email reports regarding attendance and class activity to ensure accurate attendance recording and coordination among Tuesday/Thursday Workshop instructors AND the Beginner 1 & Beginner 2 volunteers . They should be on-site at St. Mark by 6:45 PM, oversee the prompt dismissal of students at 7:45 PM, and restore the classroom to its pre-class condition (Time commitment: 2 hrs/week)

Book Management Lead – This volunteer ensures that a sufficient number of teacher and student materials are on-site prior to the start of the semester.   The volunteer orders and arranges delivery of the books used for each level and ensures that the invoices are delivered to the parish office.  The volunteer provides teacher materials to new teachers at the beginning of the academic year or when the volunteer assignment begins.  The volunteer ensures that a book sales volunteer is present at registration and the first and second week of class to sell the appropriate book(s) to each student.  He/she is also responsible for maintaining an inventory of each book title and collecting books from volunteers who change levels or do not return the following year.  (Time commitment: varies)

Book Sales Volunteers – These volunteers participate in book sales to students at registration and the first and second week of class. They are responsible for collecting the correct amount from the students, securing the proceeds, and ensuring that the proceeds are promptly remitted to the parish office (normally through the Registrar or ESL Program Coordinator). (Time commitment: 2-4 hours/term)

Celebration Assistants/Hospitality Aides –These volunteers assist with planning, decorating, and hosting program-wide gatherings including semi-annual celebrations and fall kick-off. (Time commitment: varies)

Celebration Coordinator/Back-up Celebration Coordinator – This volunteer plans and executes semi-annual celebrations, including recruiting volunteers to assist with planning, decorating, and hosting. The volunteer also helps with hospitality at the fall kick-off meeting. (Time commitment: varies)

Citizenship Class Instructors – These volunteers plan and execute appropriate lesson plans to introduce students to the requirements for US citizenship, including the English skills and knowledge questions on the citizenship exam. They also explain the timeline and process for citizenship candidates and the rights and responsibilities of US citizens. The citizenship instructors complete and distribute prompt email reports regarding attendance and class activity to ensure accurate attendance recording and coordination between Tuesday/Thursday teachers. They should be on-site at St. Mark by 6:45 PM, oversee the prompt dismissal of students at 7:45 PM, and restore the classroom to its pre-class condition (Time commitment: 2 hrs/week)

Citizenship Preparation Team Leader – This volunteer coordinates the Citizenship Preparation team, including instructors and tutors; assigns tutors to students who have provided documentation of acceptance of receipt of their applications for naturalization (N-400) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services; ensures that students have adequate interview practice in advance of their citizenship exams; and coordinates with ESL Program Coordinator as necessary. (Time commitment: 1- 2 hrs/week)

Citizenship Tutors – These volunteers work with assigned students to prepare them for success at their citizenship interviews. They plan and execute appropriate lesson plans for citizenship preparation using the assigned text as a guide; notify the assigned student and the Citizenship Tutoring Team Leader of any schedule conflicts that preclude meeting; provide interview role play opportunities in the weeks leading up to the student’s citizenship interview date; follow up with student as to the results of the interview; continue to work with the assigned student until student is successful in passing the citizenship interview. Citizenship tutors should be on-site at St. Mark by 6:45 PM, oversee the prompt dismissal of students at 7:45 PM, and restore the classroom/venue to its pre-class condition. (Time commitment: 2 hrs/week)

Conversation Facilitators – These volunteers engage students in conversation; plan appropriate topics; and respond to student needs and questions. They provide pronunciation and grammar advice as necessary to improve effectiveness of students’ oral communication. The volunteers also complete and distribute prompt email reports regarding attendance and class activity to ensure coordination between Tuesday/Thursday teachers. The facilitators should be on-site at St. Mark by 6:45 PM and dismiss students at 7:45 PM. (Time Commitment: 90 minutes/week)

Conversation Team Leader – This volunteer establishes a schedule of appropriate topics and lead facilitators at least one week before the start of the term. He/she encourages appropriate breakout groups and arranges support for less confident/competent speakers. The volunteer arranges substitutes as needed when a regularly assigned Conversation facilitator cannot be present. He/she ensures that post-class reporting is accurate and timely. The volunteer may hold team meetings as necessary. He/she should also be a Conversation facilitator. (Time commitment: estimate 5-6 hours/term)

ESL Program Coordination Team – The team consists of four members who share responsibilities but each member’s duties fall into the following categories: Lead Coordinator, Registrar, Outreach Coordinator, and Training and Logistics Coordinator. Team members meet at least once a quarter and confer often via email and phone.

ESL Lead Coordinator – This volunteer ensures that volunteers receive appropriate training and are aware of parish requirements for volunteers. He/she assigns volunteers to teaching and administrative positions. He/she disseminates relevant information to all volunteers. The volunteer also serves as liaison with parish staff, Hogar Immigrant Services, and other community organizations. The ESL Lead Coordinator along with the rest of the team, plans for program needs including volunteer materials, curriculum, calendar, and facilities. He/she may initiate new program offerings and participates as necessary in all aspects of the St. Mark ESL Program (Time commitment varies – more at the start and end of each term, less as the term progresses.)

Training and Logistics Coordinator – This volunteer works with parish staff and Hogar Immigrant Services staff to offer two training dates at St. Mark each academic year. The volunteer hosts the training and provides support as needed with regard to facilities or technology (Activboard) use. He/she is responsible for being on-site during the training and opening the building and classrooms at least 45 minutes before the training and securing the building afterward. This volunteer also schedules enrichment or guest lecturers for the more advanced students once or twice a year. He/she volunteer also manages the opening and closing of the facility before and after ESL classes, recruiting and scheduling a team for each Tuesday and Thursday. He/she may assist with outreach and other duties. (Time commitment: 15-20 hrs/year)

Coordination Team Registrar
This volunteer organizes and recruits volunteer helpers for the student registration including participation in the advance registration (2 evenings/term), regular registration (2 evenings/term), and late registration evenings (2-4 evenings/term). There are three instructional terms during the academic year. Each term requires having copies of the appropriate materials (registration tally sheets, registration forms, oral and written exams) prepared by the St. Mark copy center, obtaining and printing profile information from the student registration database, and recruiting volunteers to staff the registration sessions. The Registrar/Back-up Registrars(s) are also responsible for the proper segregation of the ESL/citizenship/conversation registration fees, maintaining them in a secure manner, and transmitting them promptly to the parish office. (Time commitment: depends on number of registrars. Usually 20-22 hours/term with one registrar serving)

Outreach Coordinator – This position can be shared with a partner. The volunteer directs student and volunteer outreach efforts, 3 times/year. He/she ensures that registration and other key program dates are communicated to the community at large, including schools, employers, parishioners, foreign language and community newspapers, via flyers, postcards, announcements, and other channels. The volunteer coordinates flyer production and distribution, develops press releases and other media materials, solicits aid from other volunteers for translation and distribution as necessary. He/she may organize additional outreach efforts in the immigrant community. Foreign language skills are a plus. (Time commitment: moderate).

ESL Teachers/Co-teachers – The volunteers plan and execute appropriate lesson plans for class level; complete and distribute prompt email reports regarding attendance and class activity to ensure accurate attendance recording and coordination between Tuesday/Thursday teachers. ESL teachers/Co-teachers should be on-site at St. Mark by 7:45 PM, oversee the prompt dismissal of students at 9:30 PM, and restore the classroom to its pre-class condition. In the case of co-teachers, planning, teaching, and reporting are shared. (Time commitment: 2-3 hrs/week)

ESL Teaching Aides – The volunteers support the ESL teachers in executing lesson plans, taking attendance, distributing materials, modeling classroom activities, and providing individualized attention as necessary. ESL aides should be on-site at St. Mark by 7:45 PM, help oversee the prompt dismissal of students at 9:30 PM and help restore the classroom to its pre-class condition. (Time commitment: 2 hrs/week)

ESL Teaching Team Leader – This volunteer ensures that two volunteers are present at each class session, arranging for substitutes when necessary. Any substitute arrangements would be communicated to the ESL Program Coordinator/Assistant Coordinator prior to the affected class session to be reflected on the weekly recap. He/she also follows up as appropriate to ensure that post-class reporting is timely and accurate This volunteer will also participate on the instructional team for the class as a lead teacher or an aide. (Time commitment: 0-45 minutes/week)

Greeters – These volunteers welcome students, write student name tags, and direct students to their classrooms during the first two weeks of class. (Time commitment: 90 minutes/week during the first two weeks of the term)

Open/close Classroom Volunteers – These volunteers open the classrooms; supply them with materials from the on-site storage room; direct students as needed; post announcements and class lists when necessary, and secure the facility after classes are finished for the evening. This role is normally combined with a classroom position. (Time commitment: ½ hour/week (plus 90 minutes of down time when classes are in session).)

Photographers – These volunteers document program activities in class and at registration and celebrations. High-resolution color photos of volunteers and students are provided on a CD or other medium to be used for program celebrations, student outreach, and volunteer recruitment. (Time commitment: estimated 10 hours/term including photos/CD production & delivery)

Registration Aides – These volunteers help with registration sessions as directed by registrar. This may include interviewing and guiding prospective students, administering placement exams, and providing program information to students and others. Foreign language skills are a plus. This role may be combined with other ESL volunteer positions. (Time commitment: 3-10 hrs/year)

Speaker Series Coordinators – These volunteers arrange a program of several presentations on topic of broad interest to the St. Mark ESL student body. Responsibilities include working with the Program Coordinator to choose appropriate topics and dates, recruiting subject area experts to speak, publicizing the presentations (student announcements, blog), conducting student sign-ups, and assessing the effectiveness of the speakers. The volunteers host the presentations and are responsible for preparing the speaker venues, being on-site during the training, and returning the venue to its pre-presentation condition afterward. (Time commitment: 15 hrs/year – assumes one presentation per term)

Student Incentive Program Coordinator – This volunteer provides student incentive awards for midterm and end-of-term based on student attendance. He/she procures the awards and coordinates with the ESL Program Coordinator to present the awards to the students. The volunteer also provides recognitions for students in the citizenship program who pass their citizenship interviews and to students in each ESL class with best spring placement exam scores for their level. He/she prepares participation certificates for all students at the spring end-of-term celebration. The volunteer works closely with the Attendance Compilation lead and Testing Coordinator (spring term) to determine the student recipients. (Time commitment: 5-10 hours, fall and winter; 20 hours, spring).

Student Outreach Aides – These volunteers assist in communicating information to the community regarding the program, including distributing flyers, serving as liaison with foreign language and community newspapers, answering phone calls, and identifying new channels to reach prospective students. (Time commitment: 2-5 hours/term)

Substitute Beginner Workshop Instructors– These volunteers serve as instructors when the regularly assigned volunteer cannot be present. (Time commitment: varies)

Substitute Citizenship Instructors/Tutors– These volunteers serve as instructors/tutors when the regularly assigned volunteer cannot be present. (Time commitment: varies)

Substitute Conversation Co-facilitators – These volunteers serve as Conversation Co-facilitators when the regularly assigned volunteer cannot be present. (Time commitment: varies)

Substitute ESL Teachers/Aides – These volunteers serve as ESL teachers or ESL aides when the regularly assigned volunteer cannot be present. (Time commitment: varies)

Substitute Writing Instructors– These volunteers serve as instructors when the regularly assigned volunteer cannot be present. (Time commitment: varies)

Summer Program Coordinator – The volunteer organizes summer program: establishes the schedule, recruits volunteers, and conducts student outreach (flyers and emails). He or she is on-site to host each session by greeting students and supporting teaching volunteers. The volunteer coordinates after-class activity and attendance reporting and sends reminders to teaching volunteers in advance of each session. The Summer Program Coordinator summarizes summer session results at conclusion of the session. (Time commitment: approximately 25-30 hours total, April-July)

Testing Coordinator – This volunteer revises placement testing instruments as needed (usually annually); gets copies made through St. Mark copy center, prepares testing packets, disseminates test preparation information to the teaching volunteers in advance of the spring test date, and coordinates the spring test graders. Immediately after grading is completed, he/she prepares summary results; fall placement results; a list of students eligible for advance registration for fall; and individual student placement slips for distribution at the spring celebration. (Time commitment: approximately 25-30 hours total, May/June)

Writing Instructors – These volunteers plan and execute appropriate lesson plans to improve students writing skills, including assigning, reviewing, and critiquing homework assignments. The core lessons should follow the textbook but may also include supplemental assignments such as blog posts and other types of written assignments assist the students in improving writing proficiency. The writing instructors complete and distribute prompt email reports regarding attendance and class activity to ensure accurate attendance recording and coordination between Tuesday/Thursday teachers. They should be on-site at St. Mark by 6:45 PM, oversee the prompt dismissal of students at 7:45 PM, and restore the classroom to its pre-class condition (Time commitment: 2 hrs/week)