Duty council officer

From St Ursula's Church

All council members are expected to perform this duty approximately once every two months. No other duties e.g sidesperson, crèche leader etc can be undertaken on your Duty Council day.

List of Duties

Please

1. Arrive 30 minutes before the service to help the sidesperson set up.
2. Wear your council badge and encourage other council members to do so too.
3. Be available before the service as the "report-to" person.
4. Check that all the people on duty (list available on the web site and there is a print-out in the vestry) are present and that they know what they are to do. This includes: intercessor, readers, sidesperson, sound system operator, server, chalice bearers, crèche attendants, etc. If someone doesn't turn up, find a replacement (perhaps by asking the person responsible for the rota).
5. Provide short-term cover for the sidesperson, if necessary (but only for about 5 minutes).
6. Act as a back-up welcomer, if nothing else to do.
7. Check that the correct lighting is on and (as appropriate) turn off the under-floor heating blower or open windows.
8. During the service be aware of what is happening and help if needed.
9. After the service leave immediately and be available to take newcomers and/or visitors to coffee, introduce them to other people, etc.
10. Before you leave, ensure that the overhead infra-red heaters and all the lights in the church are turned off and that the heating switch is turned to 1. Check also that all windows are closed (in all rooms including toilets and outer office), and the premises locked up (remember to check the door to the garage from the downstairs toilet).
11. Also check the state of the premises, using the check list that we provide for people using our premises: in particular check that the coffee machines are emptied and turned off, all bins have been emptied into the container outside, recyclables have been put in the green bins outside and that all toys have been tidied away in the Lower Hall. Note any problems on the “Premises Report Sheet” in the kitchen.
12. YOU should be the last one out – if you are unable to do this then you must swap your duty with someone who can. DUTY COUNCIL is responsible for ensuring that everything is in order for the other churches that use our premises on a Sunday.

Background

In 1998 Council decided that the tasks above were too great a burden on the Churchwardens, and proposed a system of Churchwardens' Assistants, who would free up the wardens for more important duties. It proved hard to find suitable assistants, so it was agreed that Council members would take turns at helping with the task of ensuring that the service ran smoothly and in sharing the task of identifying and greeting newcomers. This is still the case.