Congregations Caring for Children

27.  Donate proceeds from a fundraiser toward a capital improvement on the building.

28.  Recognize and build into congregational budget  in kind  contributions to child care

 programs for utilities, maintenance and capital improvements.

Clarifying Child Care/Congregation Relationships

29.  Decide whether child care staff should or should not be congregational members, or if it

 makes a difference.

30.  Offer services of pastoral counseling staff to child care staff, parents and children.

31.   Invite pastor/rabbi and religious education staff to special child care activities (e.g.

 end of year luncheon, holiday parties, graduation).

32.  Discuss and understand implication of differences between weekday paid staff and

 volunteer Sunday/Sabbath School personnel.

33.  Be familiar with official congregational governance structures, committees, boards and

 officers.

34.  Work out formula for budgeting of supplies shared by weekend and Sunday/Sabbath

 programs.

35.  Share cost of purchasing audio visual equipment and supplies.

36.  Invite Sunday/Sabbath personnel to pertinent in service workshops.

37.  Include parents from weekday and Sunday/Sabbath programs on each other's boards.

38.  Determine congregation's relationship to child care staff. (This will depend on the

  mission and governance of child care programs.)

39.  Share information about programs through congregation's worship bulletins, monthly

  newsletters, parent communiques, etc.

40.  Include children in all appropriate celebrations. (At least allow them to contribute a

 picture to the event.)

Assuring Good Communication Between Child Care and Congregational Staff

41.  Include child care staff in communications to congregational staff (memos, notices of

 meetings, holidays, etc.).

42.  Celebrate birthdays of congregational and child care staff members.

43.  Organize joint staff celebrations of Secretary's Week, Week of the Young Child, Janitor's

  Week, Volunteer's Week.

44.  Invite congregational staff to visit center classrooms and invite center staff to visit the

 church/synagogue.

45.  Coordinate calendars.

46.  Develop a flow chart showing lines of communication and authority.

47.  Become aware of and utilize unofficial lines of communication.

48.  Hold regular meetings of entire weekday and congregational staff, including secretarial,

  kitchen and custodial staff.

49.  Train congregational staff around needs of families with young children.

Strengthening Ties

50.  Develop a grandparent volunteer program and include members of the congregation.

51.  Have your name on your desk.  Post on a common bulletin board a current list of all

 staff names and titles.

52.  Attend congregational activities.  Socialize with congregational members, tell them who

 you are and what you do.

43