YWAMKnowledgeBase:New Teams Network/201008

Malaga New Team Network
20th - 23rd October 2008

Participants
 * Kevin Colyer, Belgium, Brussels
 * Carl Tinnion, England, York
 * Steve Sullivan, England, Harpenden
 * Paola Tommasi, Italy, Milan
 * Ian Matchett, Scotland, Aberdeen
 * Erin Seibel, Ireland, Belfast
 * Jonathon Pedret, Spain, Madrid (Vallencia)
 * Irina Platkowski, England, Derby
 * Richard Lowe, England, Carlisle
 * Jono Bevan, France, Paris
 * Reynaldo Laudencia, Spain, madrid
 * Steve Bishop, England, Harpenden (DTS leader)
 * Lance McKinney, Spain, Malaga
 * Stephe Mayers, Spain, Malaga (WE Convener)

Communication\Connecting to others
We talked about communication as this was a hot topic. We wanted to give some feedback to Eurocom who were meeting at the same time.


 * Paola: I noticed a contrast between Harpenden and Italy! Expected difference. How to get the connection between us and International Family.
 * Like to know what other bases are doing? (Good websites we can look at if we want to)
 * A good friend/leader who will explain what is happening each month - pointers to news.
 * Planet New Team?
 * e.g. GLT heard about it from mailing list from Donovan Palmer. Would I have about the big picture of YWAM if I had not heard from Donovan.
 * Is YWAM purposeful enough in making changes of direction or ethos? Just invite to a DNA conference? Shotgun approach.
 * WELT meeting - how changes in core team - how to explain. Notes stolen!
 * Who do smaller teams need to hear from... (monthly prayer - we know what to pray for)
 * Monthly newsletter/newspaper - what is going on and what do I need to know.
 * Not just one way - two way. Discussions and debates!
 * What would be helpful to know? That I know people would really be behind me. That I knew that people understood my needs. That I would be intouch with people doing similar things... I could learn some helpful models.
 * To have on going training that met the needs I faced.
 * Was expecting some periodic visits from some leaders. No phone calls. No skype video conference. Good reactive connections. Harpenden - no, Steve no.
 * NTN is first real connection we have had since we moved to Milan

Fundraising
This is always a hot topic. We had some great discussions about this. Lance has very helpful skills and has been successful in raising funds especially in the States! A lot of good principles.

Lance also told us about Kona and the changes and support for staff fundraising they are doing there.

We thought that perhaps arranging some seminar training for New Teams folks would be helpful although a more ongoing solution would be better, if we could think of one!
 * YWAM KB articles on fundraising)
 * Not a lot of training or helpful input from YWAM - more from outside YWAM. 3 day training seminars by other groups.
 * Angles of fund-raising. Writing an ask-letter. How to do it really well.
 * IWT - write a list of people they know - exhaustive.
 * Work out which ones will give
 * Write first to them and follow with a phone call
 * Meet after
 * Be clear and specific - know your needs. "Will you give me this...?"
 * Growing in confidence in these areas.
 * Finding people who can help you into other networks and people. Lance has been referred to others by their trusted Christian friends. Those referrals can lead to very resourceful people
 * Building projects - larger amounts
 * Smaller amounts needed in local community - people will support you because they know you and see the fruit of your ministry first hand. Other spin-offs can come through network of relationships - cheap rents etc.
 * Other thoughts: "You have not because you ask not". You need to ask!
 * Have to have a clear idea of what you want to do AND you have to do it!
 * Spending time learning skills are helpful such as how to write and how to ask, get the resources you need.
 * There are people who have the skillset and experience but it can be hard to get them to help - we have to go outside of YWAM some time. Hen's teeth.
 * What about 3 days together?
 * Books and websites:
 * Funding your ministry. http://www.missionaryfundraiser.com/curt.html Some very practical advice from a long term YWAMer.
 * Funding your Ministry by Scott Morton ISBN 0967248000 (Expensive: £100+ new and 50+ second hand!!!)
 * Jono has the book and uses it like a Bible. He has lots of money now.
 * Funding the Family Business by Myles Wilson ISBN 0955332001 (Seems to be out of print on Amazon)
 * Accountability to fundraising. Kona - take 4 hours a week to fundraise. Also requesting vacation time and fundraising time (take 2 weeks).
 * Accountability to fundraising. Kona - take 4 hours a week to fundraise. Also requesting vacation time and fundraising time (take 2 weeks).

Kona's recent communication developments: Partner Development

In recognition of the need for regular communication with partners, full-time staff should be allotted four hours each week for personal fundraising. This time is appropriated for regular fundraising activities such as phone calls, newsletters, working on your Partner Development goals and plans. One afternoon a week should be designated for this specific purpose, this should be reflected in office business hours such as Friday being 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. This time should be used wisely, keeping in mind that it is providing you 25 days per year to be devoted specifically to partner development.

Training should be provided to help equip our staff in the task of developing partners. A Coach should assist staff, if needed, to put together your personal budget, set fundraising goals, and the process of how to develop partners. The coach should be available to help staff in the process of fundraising and to help setting up individual plans.

A minimum income level should be set for each individual or family based on personal budget needs. This amount should be raised before reporting for your assignment. If income does not meet these guidelines, discuss with your team leader or supervisor.

All staff members should be in regular communication with their supporters. To help facilitate this, staff should be permitted to use office computers and equipment for support newsletters and correspondence during time allotted in normal office hours.

People Raising/Recruiting
This is yet another hot potato:


 * Challenge individually
 * General vs. specific Leadership. General: A leader who facilitates other ministries “under” them. Specific: a leader who “directs” his ministry.
 * The bigger the vision (general leadership) the bigger the answer from people
 * The importance of a calling. Don’t have a calling here? Don’t come.
 * Pray. Some people only have a vision to start with and they just have to pray for God to bring staff on board.
 * Grow your own people. Takes longer but it is more effective. (Ideal in a DTS setting)
 * Host year long DTS as a way of recruiting. The longer the basic time commitment the better (i.e. raise the bar, people will actually come)
 * Share the vision. Write it down, communicate it. Some recruiting channels:
 * Through a web site
 * Word of mouth
 * Former DTSers
 * Go manual: expensive and not so effective.
 * You are alone, you have nothing... Start anyway and THAT will attract attention and people.
 * Later stages of recruiting:
 * Practitioner to manager
 * Managing growth
 * other...
 * Phone interviews:
 * You be the one asking questions to hear their needs.
 * Have a clear vision and offer testimonies to create a sought of safety net for new people; give security and show the training possibilities people can get.
 * Recruit for YWAM Ministries, not for DTS.
 * I.e. Don’t recruit students, recruit staff... don’t recruit staff recruit leaders.
 * Poach them! If they are disappointed with their current base and going to leave YWAM - poach them! It is better that they work with you than they leave YWAM altogether!
 * Norway - where are their DTS students coming from? The cities where the City for Jesus teams go and the mobile evangelism teams go.
 * Recruiting off DTS's - dream and vision nights. Prophecy parties. What would it look like to start a years ministry after DTS exercise. Engages students to ministry.

Guidelines for starting new teams
We were asked by the WELT to prepare a white paper on how to start new teams. We started the process. Carl facilitated by asking the following questions. We answered the questions and started a new article: Guidelines for starting new teams. The article is still under heavy drafting so PLEASE ADD YOUR THOUGHTS!!!


 * 1) What are the basic ingredients?
 * 2) Number of people?
 * 3) Fiscal structures
 * 4) Accountability and oversight
 * 5) Partnership with sending base/other?
 * 6) Time commitments
 * 7) Networking
 * 8) Clear vision and developing strategy
 * 9) Communication strategies
 * 10) Being a Missional presence in a strategic location
 * 11) Outworking of and engagement with YWAM DNA/values
 * 12) Pathway into starting a new team

Definition of a YWAM Operating Location (Op Loc)
Colorado office had made a definition of what a YWAM Operating Location should be defined by. It has been made into an article too: Definition of a YWAM Operating Location

Colorado Office Addition?: working in a team context - more than 2 people...
 * 1) Physically and financially separate from other YWAM locations
 * 2) Recognised leadership by the senior YWAM Leadership over the area for an event
 * 3) Permanent YWAM presence. Not a temporary location, organised say for an event