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 II commitment. Please read carefully.

Position Summary:

This volunteer position is designed for Compassion sponsors like you who are able and willing to work in a creative, self-directed manner in seeking opportunities to present Compassion's ministry to the public. You will be encouraged to initiate a wide variety of contacts within your sphere of influence and in your community, as well as represent Compassion at marketing events in your area.

Responsible to:

Area coordinator and/or regional advocates manager

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 (the full range of Compassion's core programs — child development through sponsorship, Child Survival and Leadership Development Programs — and Complementary Interventions, such as supplemental development and program enhancement activities) as a means to meet this need. To represent Compassion at regional marketing events.

Responsibilities:

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 six activities a year. Representing Compassion within your sphere of influence for the purpose of acquiring new sponsorships is a must for all high-impact 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 high-impact advocate will bring a minimum of 12 new sponsorships per year and one church relationship to Compassion during his or her tenure as a high-impact advocate.

3. Help initiate special Compassion campaigns. The Advocates Network initiates special campaigns (e.g., Compassion Sunday and the Christmas campaign) at various times throughout the year. We highly encourage participation in every campaign. Because Compassion Sunday is Compassion's largest sponsorship-generating activity each year, the participation of all advocates in Compassion Sunday is especially encouraged, even expected. Typically, there will be no more than three special campaigns each year, but these activities can help meet the advocate's requirement for involvement in six activities per year.

4. Staff sign-up tables at Compassion events. As a high-impact advocate and frontline representative of Compassion, you are expected 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. Advocates also find that when they participate in marketing events, they become more inspired and equipped to carry out their own self-directed ministry with Compassion.

5. Represent Compassion to churches and other organizations. You are expected to represent Compassion within your sphere of influence for the purpose of raising support for core programs, including the Child Sponsorship Program, the Child Survival Program and the Leadership Development Program. Beyond sponsorship, you can also present Compassion's Complementary Interventions, which include the AIDS Initiative, church partner development, disaster relief, medical assistance and water projects.

6. Communicate with your supervisor. While you have a great deal of autonomy and flexibility in your position, you will need to stay in close communication with your supervisor. Your supervisor will call you regularly, according to an agreed-upon schedule (approximately once a month). In order to be a good steward of time and resources, please be present for scheduled calls and return calls in a timely manner.

7. Be part of the team. Participation in team meetings and team conference calls is expected.

Additional Activities:

1. Strategize with your area coordinator and regional manager to promote Compassion's ministry and resources to churches in your region.

2. Assist with special projects as provided by your supervisor (e.g., call sponsors to provide guidance for involvement in Compassion Sunday).

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

Length of Commitment: One year. Your commitment may be renewed each year by completing the annual commitment renewal postcard.

Support and Training Provided:

1. High-Impact Child Advocate Initial Training Course. The initial video training course will be mailed to you upon successful completion of your interview and acceptance into the Advocates Network. You should view the video and complete the training questionnaire within two weeks of receiving it. The training coordinator will then review the training with you over the phone in preparation for launching you into ministry and placing you on an area coordinator's team. Completion of the advocates activity commitment postcard is part of the initial training course.

2. 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 high-impact advocates are required to participate in two training activities per year, after the first year of service, in order to maintain active status as a high-impact advocate. These are outlined in the Advocates Network Handbook.

3. Informal Training Opportunities. You will be able to learn more about Compassion and how to develop a successful ministry strategy by communicating with your supervisor and reading materials sent to you by the staff.

4. Reimbursement. You have the option of being reimbursed for all pre-approved ministry-related expenses.

Next step:

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