P.M.R.
PERSONAL, MEANINGFUL, AND
RELEVANT VOLUNTEER RETREATS
Darcey Dinh, Director of Formation and Recruitment
Introductions
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What do you need to know about Darcey?
Florida
 CVIF 2 years
 Married 5 years
 Favorite color is green
 YA ministry, marriage prep in parish/diocese
 Stetson University-Teacher Ed.
 Dr. Cindy Lovell (now the ED of the Mark Twain House in
Hartford, CT) is responsible for one of the most memorable
statements any professor has said, “Everything you do in the
classroom must be personal, meaningful, and relevant to the
lives of your students.”
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PERSONAL
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8
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Are the retreat activities personal to your volunteers
and to your program?
Will the volunteers have a connection to the
lessons/material?
Is there enough opportunities for self-evaluation?
MEANINGFUL
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
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What’s the purpose of each activity?
Is it in line with the values and mission of your
program?
Is there meaning behind the retreat
activity/discussion/project that makes it purposeful
for the volunteer?
RELEVANT
For what will it profit a man if he gains the
whole world and forfeits his soul?
Matthew 16:26
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Are the materials up-to-date?
Do the materials align with current
events/news/media/doctrine?
How can you help the volunteers to live out the values
this year and afterwards?
How can we apply the church teachings into our daily
lives?
RETREAT SCHEDULE
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5 per year:
 Orientation-
4-5 days
 Fall- 3-4 days
 Winter- 3-4 days
 Spring- 5 days
 Summer/Closing- 2-3 days
BASIC FORMAT
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Opening prayer
Sign ups for cooking and
cleaning, goals
Community
activities/reflections
Morning prayer in different
styles
Worship/songs
Book club and discussion
Goal setting
Community free time
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Technology Fast
Meal prep
Themed activities
Presentations/visitors
Reflection/Journaling
Awards
Service project
Prayer Partners
Feedback forms and ThankYous
Closing prayer
PROGRAM VALUES
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Community
Active Spirituality
Social Justice
Living Simply
Personal Growth
Vocation Discernment
ORIENTATION
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4-5 days at the end of July
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Great Paper Chase
Presentation on each of the 6 Values
A special focus on community expectations & understanding different personality
types
Budgeting- Understanding needs vs. wants
Service Project
Prayer Partners/Alumni Buddies/Community Support
In- depth look at program policies and procedures
Goal sheets
Attend Mass and Commissioning Ceremony
FALL RETREAT
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3 days in October: Thursday-Sunday
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Theme: Community and Active Spirituality
Low-Ropes Course
 High-Ropes and Zip line
 Spiritual journaling/The Examen
 Meditation
 Community Reflections
 Preparation for Winter Fundraising push
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WINTER RETREAT
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3 days in January: ThursdaySunday
 Theme:
 Social
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Doing Justice/Living Simply
Justice
Immigration
Human Trafficking
Respect Life
 Service
visit/project
 Small Group Activities
 Privilege Walk
 St. Francis Activity
SPRING RETREAT
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5 days in April
 Theme:
Personal Growth/Vocation Discernment
 Meditation
 Silent
Day
 Letter to God
 Prayer Room
 Masking
 Vocation story
 Resume building
 Interview know-hows
 Talent Show
 Service Project
CLOSING RETREAT
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2-3 days in June
 Theme:
Personal Growth/Transitioning out
 Reflections-
Where did we see God this year?
 What's next- How to transition into real world using
values learned.
 Year-end awards and recognitions
 Presentations
 Volunteer Evaluations
 Re-Commissioning
SPEAKERS and TOPICS
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Non-profit leaders
Mental Health Professionals
Diocesan Ministers
Service Site Partner Professionals
Local Parish Professionals
Alumni
Funders
Seminarians and Religious leaders
?
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Vocation and Discernment
Understanding Personalities- Community living
Leadership skills
Team building
Life Balance
“Your Life Story”
Life Transitions – taking what you learned into
each new phase
Resumes and Interviews
Social Justice- Catholic Social Teaching
Living the Gospel
Journaling
Conflict Resolution
Silent Meditation
Respect for Life
Ways to Pray
What is living a Christian life?
?
EVALUATIONS
Quotes from volunteers…
… “presentations and activities and most of all the bonding-because bonding is
very important for community as we will be in other parts of Florida.”-BM
“The day of silence was unexpectedly enjoyable. It challenged me to get to know
myself better and helped me to better understand my relationship with God.”-RM
“The Lord really spoke with me when we covered discernment. Sr. Kathleen was a
breath of fresh air and I was affirmed that I am on the right track and she pointed
me in the right direction for the year.”-CS
“I thought it was really helpful to start this experience together to know everyone. I
thought Jesus Calling was really helpful and listening to a lot of the speakers.”-JG
“I wish that we could be doing something else during the paper chase while we
waited for others to finish.”-RK
“I felt very busy- All of the activities were wonderful but I wish we had more time
for a bit of rest and renewal as well as activities.”-TP
HARMONIZING
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Invite other Volunteer groups to join you on retreat!
 Humility
of Mary Volunteers
 Covenant House
 Any other programs interested?
DESTINATIONS
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Facilities with:
 Ropes
Courses
 Quiet Areas
 Appealing grounds
 Food: Cooking VS Paying
 A good distance between sites
RESOURCES
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FTE
USCCB
Other Programs: Letter To God (LaSallian Vols)
Professional Advisors
CVN
Shared Visions
Books based on values
?
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CLOSING
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Retreats are just one of the tools we use in order to
help in the growth of the volunteers this year:
Monthly meetings
 Quarterly service projects
 Book club
 Prayer Partners
 Community Involvement
 Spiritual Direction
 Communication (phone, text, email)
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