What is a Counselor's Job
Description?
How can I keep up to date about
what is going on in the GEMS Ministry?
I have a question or comment
for the Executive Board. Where should I send it?
How do I find the Area Coordinator
and Leadership Trainer in my area?
My GEMS Club did something really
wonderful! I would love for them to be featured in
a GEMS publication. What do I do?
My Church can’t afford
SHINE brightly, Sparkle or other
GEMS materials. Is there support available for churches
or Christian organizations?
How am I supposed
to order SHINE brightly and Sparkle magazines in the summer when we don’t know
how many girls we are going to have next year?
The
Counselor's Job Description
The
basic responsibility of the GEMS counselor is to develop
a loving, nurturing relationship with the six to eight
girls who are members of her small group at club.
The counselor is to nurture, teach, guide, enjoy,
and model Christ-like love for her girls.
In
addition, counselors should:
1.
Understand the primary goal of GEMS Girls' Clubs:
to help bring girls into a living, dynamic relationship
with Jesus Christ.
2. Develop a basic understanding of the overall
GEMS program.
3. Understand that Christianity is more often "caught"
than taught; thus, to be able to help bring girls
to Christ, you must model the kind of relationship
with Christ and with other counselors that girls
admire and want for their own lives.
4. Understand the developmental stages of the age
level of girls with whom you are working.
5. Be prepared for each meeting with your girls.
6. Establish and lovingly and consistently enforce
club rules.
7. Share the truth of Scripture with enthusiasm
and passion.
8. Treat each girl as an individual, developing
a loving relationship with every girl in your small
group.
9. Use integrity at all times.
10. Be honest and open with girls, appropriately
sharing your own personal experiences.
11. Have fun with your girls! Enjoy your shared
experiences.
12. Develop supportive and encouraging relationships
with the other counselors in your club.
13. Regularly attend counselor meetings.
14. Develop a positive relationship with the parents
of all the girls in your small group - keeping them
informed of what is happening in club.
15. Know, understand, and adhere to the child abuse
prevention and protection policies of your church
or Christian organization.
16. Stay informed of club news, attend club meetings,
and read Cable (counselor newsletter) as
well as other communications that are mailed to
you from the GEMS Girls' Clubs Service Center.
17. Annually attend counselor training opportunities,
including area-wide training workshops offered through
the ACTS Program, Regional Retreats, and the Annual
Counselors' Leadership Conference.
18. Pray regularly for your girls, the other counselors,
your Club Coordinator, and the international ministry
of GEMS Girls' Clubs.
How
can I keep up to date about what is going on in the
GEMS Ministry?
Read
your Cable. This is your best source of information
on what is happening in GEMS. Cable will let
you know about new products and curriculum, news about
other clubs, and much more. If you are not receiving
Cable, contact your Club Coordinator or call
the GEMS Service Center at 616-241-5616 ext 3032.
The
GEMS Website is updated monthly and is also a great
source of information.
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| I
have a question or comment for the Executive
Board. Where should I send it?
Comments
or questions for the GEMS Executive Board can
be mailed to:
Board
Questions/GEMS Girls’ Clubs
PO Box 7259
Grand Rapids, MI 49510
or
emailed to boardquestions@gemsgc.org.
Be
sure to include your name, address, and church.
Your question or comment will be addressed at
the next board meeting. |
|
How
do I find the Area Coordinator and Leadership Trainer
in my area?
You
can find a directory
of area coordinators and leadership trainers online
or you can call the Service Center at 616-241-5616
ext. 3032 for this information.
My
GEMS Club did something really wonderful! I would
love for them to be featured in a GEMS publication.
What do I do?
 |
We
love hearing from our clubs!
SHINE brightly features at least one
club or one GEM in each issue. We also feature
GEMS Clubs in the Cable newsletter
and on our website. Because of the bulk of mail
we receive, we are unable to publish everything
that comes our way, but we certainly try!
If
you or one of your GEMS has something to share,
please send it our way! Send all information
to:
GEMS
Girls' Clubs/Amy White
PO Box 7259
Grand Rapids, MI 49510
Don’t
forget to send photos!
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My
Church can’t afford SHINE brightly,
Sparkle or other GEMS materials. Is there
support available for churches or Christian organizations?
We
understand that not all churches/organizations are
able to afford SHINE brightly or other GEMS
merchandise. For this reason GEMS offers the Adopt-A-Club
program. This program allows clubs who are struggling
financially to be “adopted” by other, more
affluent clubs. Merchandise and or SHINE brightly
and Sparkle subscriptions are provided for
by the more affluent club.
Club
Coordinators can request assistance by calling the
Service Center and obtaining an Adopt-A-Club form.
The Service Center staff will then make every effort
to match up clubs.
If
you are interested in adopting a club, contact the
Service Center for more information. 616-241-5616
ext. 3030
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|
How am I supposed
to order SHINE brightly and Sparkle
magazines in the summer when we don’t know
how many girls we are going to have next year?
In
order for us to provide you with the best possible
service, and to ensure that your magazine reaches
you before the start of club, it is important
for your SHINE brightly and Sparkle orders to be
in as early as possible.
How
it works: A subscription renewal form along
with an invoice will be sent to Club Coordinators
in June. This form automatically renews bulk
SHINE brightly and Sparkle subscriptions at the
number the club subscribed to in the previous
year. Changes can be made on the renewal form
to indicate any changes in subscription numbers.
If the form is not returned to the Service Center
by August 1, we cannot guarantee you will receive
your magazines by the start of the club year.
Most
Clubs have a general idea of how many girls
will be returning to club the next year. However,
when club starts and you have an exact count,
simply let the Service Center know and we will
adjust your subscription order. |
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