Organization

The structure for each COLA will adapt around needs particular to that assembly or location and may change over the course of the work.  The suggested outline of teams and workgroups for GA227 are:

• Volunteer Team - recruits and orients hundreds of volunteers to carry out tasks related to all of the COLA teams and identified GA Planning needs (GA Planning related tasks include registration assistants, plenary ushers, worship ushers, etc.)

• Volunteer Recruitment  – responsible for implementing the process and structure for recruiting volunteers from churches throughout the presbytery.

• Volunteer Management and Training – organizes volunteer orientation sessions and manages on-site volunteer check in.

• Airport Welcome – coordinates arrangements for greeting assembly participants at the airport on major arrival dates and directing them to hotel transportation. (GA Planning staff will help with contacts at the airport for guidance.)

• Convention Center Welcome and Information – works with GA Planning staff on arrangements for the GA Information Center and satellite information stations at the convention center, to help provide GA participants a warm welcome and a wide range of information relating to the assembly and the local area.  

• Ecumenical and Interfaith Guests Welcome – provides assistance to GA Planning staff by offering appropriate hospitality and services to the 20 partner advisory delegates and ecumenical representatives – including welcoming them upon their arrival at the airport and escorting them to transportation to their hotel.  (This group will work closely with GA Planning staff responsible for planning for the participation of these attendees.)

• Departure Arrangements – responsible for arrangements for luggage storage for departing attendees on the final day of the assembly, as well as any directions for transportation to assist with easy departures for participants.  (GA Planning staff will help confirm options and arrangements with the convention center.)

Sunday Worship – communicates with and compiles information about area churches that will host assembly participants on Sunday morning for worship and lunch, and coordinates plans for transportation, etc.  (Attendees will sign up for this as part of their GA registration.)

Worship Support – as requested, works with GA Planning staff to provide contacts for local resources, musicians, liturgists, vendors, etc.  Coordinates the scheduling and training of worship-related volunteers (ushers, communion servers, etc.).

Family Room – works with GA Planning staff to arrange for furnishings, games, etc. for this area (located in the convention center, near the plenary hall) designated for children with their parents. Note – it is not staffed. 

Gift Project (optional)– If the presbytery chooses to offer an opportunity for GA participants to bring a gift to support a mission selected by the presbytery, this work group recommends the project and suggested gifts, selects recipients, and coordinates the collection and distribution. (GA Planning staff will help publicize this.)

Works with the GA Planning staff to plan for and implement one or more activities such as a protest, education opportunity, etc. that will engage assembly participants in a matter of local concern.  For GA227 Milwaukee Presbytery has identified ending gun violence as that focus. The Community Day on Saturday, June 27 includes time for such activities.

Creates interest and excitement about the hosting of the assembly in local churches and the community where the General Assembly is held.  

• Church Communications – responsible for regular communications to churches throughout the host presbytery (and synod) to develop interest in the General Assembly and to encourage volunteer participation.  

• Website and Social Media– works with presbytery staff to set up and maintain a web and social media presence. This team may wish to connect with GA Planning staff to share relevant web content through the official GA website and/or social media platforms.

• GA Welcome Presentation (optional) – works with the Presbytery to develop a presentation, not to exceed 10 minutes, scheduled during the opening plenary sessions in Milwaukee to welcome GA participants to the host city. This team may also assist presbytery leadership in developing Land Acknowledgements and/or other meaningful ways of connecting local stories to plenaries.