Protestant Religious Education Coordinator

Caserma Ederle Chapel Religious Education

09 Oct 2024

Caserma Ederle Chapel

Religious Education

Coordinator

1

The successful candidate for this position will be a 1099 contractor with Music Ministry International and be responsible for the following:

1. General: This is a non-personal services contract under which the personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in relationships between the Government and its employees. This services contract of the protestant religious education coordinator (PREC) falls under the Garrison Chaplain’s Religious Support Program as defined in the Commander’s Master Religious Program (CMRP). The mission of the Chaplain’s Religious Support Program is to insure the free exercise of religion, which is a statutory requirement under USC Title 10.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: Religious education is an essential element of religion (EER) that provides basic religious understanding through Bible studies, doctrinal studies, life applications studies, and educational events for children, youth, and adults. The services are described in detail in Part 5. 5.1 through 5.2.4.

1.2 Background: The Coordinator shall provide non-personal services. The coordinator shall provide all personnel, labor, vehicles, containers, tools, materials, equipment, transportation, supervision and other item and services  necessary to manage and perform the PREC, Vicenza, Italy. The services required involve the potential for both direct and indirect interaction with children and will thus require the Coordinator to apply for and complete background checks prior to the awarding of the contract.

1.3 Scope: Protestant Religious Education services shall be provided to children, youth, and adults within the garrison’s Area of Responsibility (AOR). The Coordinator has overall responsibility for ensuring that all programs and activities are inclusive of all Protestant traditions represented and in no way offensive to other faith/religious traditions. Coordination and collaboration with the Director of Religious Education (DRE) and other contract service providers is required for teamwork and event planning and is expected to facilitate stewardship of funds and personnel management. The chapel is located at Caserma Ederle, Building 29

1.4 Objectives/Personnel Qualifications: The primary objective of the Chaplain’s Religious Support Program is to provide religious support activities that meet the religious requirements of Soldiers, Families, and authorized DA Civilians.

1.4.1 The Coordinator, coordinator’s personnel, and all sub-coordinators (if applicable) shall perform all services in accordance with the Part 5 of the Performance Work Statement, Performance Requirements.

1.4.2 The Coordinator, coordinator’s personnel, and all sub-coordinators shall meet the following qualifications

(DELIVERABLE 0012):

 a. Ability to pass a background check in order to work with minors IAW requirements of AD 2104-23.

 b. Possess or be able to complete within 30 days of contract, annual Chapel Protection training.

1.6.4.3 Coordinator Support Hours: The Coordinator shall provide support Monday through Friday on as as-needed basis from 08:00 hours through 17:00 hours. Sundays beginning at 09:00 except when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, pandemics, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

1.6.6 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed throughout the United States Army Garrison (USAG) Vicenza, in accordance with paragraphs 1.3 and 5.1 through 5.2.4

1.7 U.S. Citizen: Contractors that work with or teach youth under the age of 18 years are subject to local and stateside background checks. The Requiring Activity Manager will determine the extent of background checks required. The Contractor employee may begin performance of the contract after receiving a favorable local background check. 

1.7.1 Local Nationals and Third Country Nationals: Local national and third country national Contractors that work with or teach youths under the age of 18 years are subject to background checks as determined by the Requiring Activity Manager. 

Performance Requirements

5.1 Basic Services: The Coordinator shall coordinate with the DRE a Protestant religious education program using volunteers from Protestant Chapel services within the community. The Coordinator shall implement a Protestant religious education program that consists of the following.

5.1.1 Spirit Night (SN): The Coordinator shall organize and oversee weekly classes for eligible children, youth, and adults using age-appropriate materials that educate participants in the areas of Biblical knowledge, Christian doctrine, faith to life application, and other faith formation practices. SN classes are held during the academic year from 1 September to 15 June. Weekly classes should last one (1) hour. All curriculum resources shall be reviewed by the DRE and approved by the Garrison Chaplain before use.

5.1.2 Children’s Church (CC): Shall provide a weekly CC program that educates children using age-appropriate materials in Bible, Christian doctrine, faith to life application, and other faith formation practices. CC classes are held weekly, during Protestant worship, throughout the year. CC classes should last approximately 30-45 minutes.

All curriculum resources shall be reviewed by the DRE and approved by the Garrison Chaplain before use.

5.1.3 Vacation Bible School (VBS): Shall provide an annual, summer VBS program for children or families in the community. VBS should consist of 3-5 sessions held in the mornings (children) or evenings (family), depending on the Garrison Chaplain’s Religious Support Program priorities. Each session should last 3-4 hours. Planning, briefing volunteers, and preparing for VBS shall take the Coordinator no less than one hundred (100) hours. Prior to ordering materials, the Garrison Chaplain shall review and approve of all Vacation Bible School material, in consultation with the DRE as needed. The Garrison Chaplain, not the Coordinator, determines the dates and times for Vacation Bible School. The scheduling of VBS shall only be adjusted by the Garrison Chaplain in order to best meet the needs of the community. The Coordinator shall publicize and advertise VBS, beginning no later than sixteen (16) weeks prior to the start of VBS throughout the chapel and military community, utilizing every RSO and USAG Italy advertising medium available.

5.1.4 VBS Closing Program: The Coordinator shall provide a closing program for Protestant Vacation Bible School held at a time that maximizes parental and community attendance and recognizes the efforts of the volunteers. This closing program shall be a minimum of one (1) hour and shall not exceed one and a half (1.5) hours. The Coordinator shall meet with the Garrison Chaplain and DRE no later than three (3) months prior to this event in order to receive his or her intent and to brief the proposed closing program. The Garrison Chaplain shall either approve, modify, or reject the proposal at that time. The Coordinator shall continue to meet with the DRE on a weekly basis in order to receive further guidance until the closing program proposal meets his or her intent. Once approved, the Coordinator may begin to plan, train volunteers, and prepare for the closing program. It is the Coordinator’s responsibility to schedule the weekly meetings with the DRE. These meetings will be held during the applicable hours.

5.1.5 VBS Meetings: The Coordinator shall be required to meet with the DRE at least four (4) times per year to coordinate the annual Vacation Bible School program. The Coordinator shall meet with the congregation Chaplain or his or her designated POC to review the delivery of services of the program and provide records and statistics. The format and time for these briefings shall be determined by the congregation Chaplain or designated POC. It is the responsibility of the Coordinator to initiate and follow up on meeting requests with the congregation Chaplain or designated POC.

5.1.6 Prepare and Submit VBS Reports. The Coordinator shall record attendance at all classes and training events. The Coordinator shall record number of students as well as volunteer’s staff and number of volunteer hours.

The Coordinator shall submit this information and an after action report (AAR) to the Garrison Chaplain and the DRE (via the congregation Chaplain) within two (2) weeks of completion of VBS to include a roster of students and volunteers. The Coordinator shall provide the volunteers with the volunteer registration forms to register with myarmyonesource.com website (https://www.myarmyonesource.com). Volunteers shall maintain their own hours and submit them at the end of the week to the Coordinator.

5.1.7 Seasonal Events: The Coordinator shall organize two seasonal events using volunteers from Protestant Chapel congregations, one during Advent/Christmas, the other during Lent/Easter for Garrison community members with a focus on intergenerational fun and learning. Each event should last approximately one-and-a-half (1.5) hours. An event plan must be reviewed by the DRE and approved by the Garrison Chaplain 60 days in advance of the event. A complete event plan consists of event goals and objectives, narrative descriptions of activities to meet stated goals and objectives, staffing and volunteer requirements, an execution and marketing timeline, and a Child Protection and Safety plan. This event may be scheduled after 1700 hours and shall conclude prior to 1900 hours.

5.1.8 Volunteer Training: Shall coordinate two training events annually: (1) an annual training event for volunteers on a topic related to religious education, and (2) annually required Child Protection training for volunteers in accordance with Chapel Volunteer Management (CVM) and in cooperation with the DRE. Execution of the training is the responsibility of Chaplains and DREs.

5.1.9 Annual Appreciation: Shall coordinate an annual appreciation event for Chapel volunteers serving in Protestant religious education programs. Funding will be provided by the Chaplain or the FM through Protestant funds of the CTOF.

5.1.10 DRE Meetings: Shall meet monthly with the DRE to receive program updates, coordinate contracted services, event statistics, and progress. Meetings should last approximately 1 hour per month. If there is no DRE, the sponsoring chaplain of Religious Education will take the place of the DRE.

5.1.11 Parish Council Meetings: Shall Attend monthly Parish Council meetings of each Protestant Service and coordinate the religious education needs of each council.

5.2 Religious Education Classes and Events: The Coordinator shall accomplish the following in conjunction with the religious education classes, events, etc.

5.2.1 Marketing and Publicity Efforts: Conduct marketing efforts for all Protestant religious education events to include Chapel bulletin announcements, bulletin boards, flyers, and other appropriate media. All media shall be submitted to the DRE for review and the Garrison Chaplain for approval NLT 15 days prior to the event. The

Government will provide the necessary photocopies.

5.2.2 Volunteer Coordination: Publish and post requests for volunteers for Protestant religious education classes, programs, and events with an eye toward building Chapel congregation understanding of volunteerism as an act of worship and sharing of spiritual gifts for ministry. Volunteers are required to clear all appropriate background checks IAW AD 2014-23 and adhere to all requirements IAW Chapel Volunteer Management guidelines.

Volunteers are required to receive a written job description from the Coordinator before commencing their service.

The tracking and training of all Chapel volunteers is the responsibility of the Chapel Volunteer Manager and the DRE.

5.2.3 Annual Calendar: Prepare and disseminate an annual calendar of Protestant religious education activities and events within 30 days of contract award and every option year. The DRE will provided guidance and required data at initial award and at the time of each exercised option. The calendar should include estimated funding requirements, resources needed, and projected numbers of participants and volunteers. This calendar shall be reviewed by the DRE and approved by the Garrison Chaplain before implementation.

5.2.4 Event Cancelations: If it becomes necessary to cancel any religious education classes or events, it is the Coordinator’s responsibility to notify all participants and the POC at least one week prior to the scheduled religious education class or event. This shall not apply to cancelations due to emergencies, pandemics or weather.

5.3 Reports and Documentation:

5.3.1 Regular weekly updates of the Chapel Activity Report (CAR) as scheduled by the Garrison Chaplain to fulfill requirements for submission of the quarterly Religious Education Report (RER).

5.3.2 After Action Reports (AARs) for seasonal events and VBS including number of participants, event review, and evaluation of event effectiveness, submitted within one week of event completion.

5.3.3 Request Chapel Tithes and Offerings Funds (CTOF) as appropriate. The Coordinator shall: (1) prepare a written, recommended list of curriculum resources, materials, supplies, and equipment needed for Protestant religious education activities and events; (2) monitor curriculum resources, materials, supplies, and equipment.

Coordinator shall submit CTOF requests to the DRE to affect delivery a minimum of 30 days prior to events.

5.3.4 Maintain a continuity binder: This binder shall contain, at a minimum but not limited to, copies of events plans, AARs, briefings, a summary of Chapel Activity Report (CAR) statistics, and volunteer data. The binder shall be submitted to the DRE for review and routing to the Garrison Chaplain at the end of each contract period.

Interested Candidates are requested to forward their resume together with three references from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s good work and steadiness.  Candidates who do not possess the specific attributes/qualifications in Section "1.4 Objectives/Personnel Qualifications" above need not apply. This is a part-time position with compensation based on budget and the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.  

Apply directly at: https://music-ministry.jobsoid.com (scroll down to “Caserma Ederle”).  Your application requires providing reference information for (3) individuals including one priest or pastor who can attest to your abilities as they relate to this job posting.  References must include: name, title, organization, relationship to you, email address (necessary field) and phone number. Depending on security software, candidates are requested to monitor spam folders for further application communications from MMI.