Now that you've read the responsibilities and benefits, you're ready to take the next step to become a Compassion Advocate — choosing your commitment level. Below is the position description for Level I commitment. Please read carefully.

Position Summary:

This volunteer position is designed for Compassion sponsors like you who would like to represent Compassion's ministry to people in your sphere of influence and to represent Compassion at events in your area.

Purpose:

To help Christians understand the Bible's teaching regarding the poor and the needs of children around the world. To present the ministry of Compassion as a means to meet this need. To represent Compassion at marketing events.

Responsible to:

In this position, you will be assigned to an area team managed by a fellow Advocate, an Area Coordiantor.

This Area Coordinator will be the point person for all communication with you. Any questions you might have and any material orders you have will be channeled through the Area Coordinator. 

Expectations:

1. Be a consistent witness for Christ. Christ comes first in this ministry. We, therefore, encourage you to conduct yourself in a Christlike manner, pray for all aspects of the ministry, and study God's Word on a regular basis.

2. Participate in a minimum of two self-initiated sponsorship generating activities a year. Representing Compassion within your sphere of influence for the purpose of acquiring new sponsorships is a must for all Advocates. These activities may take on many forms, including presenting Compassion's ministry to local churches, individuals or groups, and placing sponsorship displays and posters. We hope that each Level I Advocate will bring a minimum of four new sponsorships each year to Compassion.

3. Staff sign-up tables at Compassion events. As a Level I Advocate and trained representative of Compassion, you are encouraged to staff the sign-up tables at Compassion marketing events that are held in your area. Events include concerts, conferences, festivals and radio marathons. When an event is staffed by a trained Advocate, the level of service and response at the sign-up table is greater than when it is staffed by untrained people. For this reason, we highly encourage you to participate in as many events as possible in your area.

4. Mandatory Ongoing Training Activities. In order to best represent Compassion, remaining well-trained and keeping current with changes in Compassion's ministry are a must. Therefore, all Level I Advocates are required to participate in one training activity per year in order to maintain active status as an Advocate. These activities are outlined in the Advocates Network Handbook that will be sent to you.

5. Keep in touch. While you have a great deal of autonomy and flexibility in your position, you will want to stay apprised of all activities offered by the Advocates Network. In order to be a good steward of time and resources, please read e-mails and regular mailings that are sent to you by the Advocates Network and your Area Coordinator.

Support and Training Provided:

1. Level I Child Advocate Initial Training Course. The initial DVD training course will be mailed to you upon acceptance into the Advocates Network. You should view the DVD and complete the training questionnaire within two weeks of receiving it. A Compassion representative will then review your training and will contact you if there are any concerns.

2. Informal Training Opportunities. You will be able to learn more about Compassion and how to develop a successful ministry strategy by reading materials sent to you by the staff and attending conferences and retreats. Additionally, you will be invited by your Area Coordinator to partake in various training activities throughout the year.

Additional Opportunities:

1. Participate in the National Advocates Conference, regional retreats and exposure tours.

2. Represent Compassion to churches and other organizations in your sphere of influence for the purpose of raising support for core programs (Child Sponsorship Program, Child Survival Program and Leadership Development Program).

3. Participate in area/ regional conference calls and attend team meetings, which will include Level II Advocates.

Length of Commitment: Level I Advocates may step down at any point and could be asked to step down if a lack of commitment to this position description is demonstrated. Commitment will be evaluated on a yearly basis.

 

Next Step:

I am ready to fill out an Advocate Application or I would like to read the Level II position description.