COVID-19 Resources

Tips for Leading Virtual Youth Events

1. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit!
2. Pick a good video conferencing program. See above for some options (Zoom is my personal favorite).
3. Become familiar with the program. Most have simple video tutorials on YouTube.
4. Test it out before running it with teens. If you need someone to test it out with, contact Tim at [email protected]
5. Create a plan for your gathering (appx 30-45 minutes). See below for an example.
6. Promote your event to teens. If possible, use as many layers of security to access the event as you can. Zoom offers a password option and a waiting room where you can approve any participants. Keep parents informed and obtain their permission for any virtual events. See below for some safe environment tips.


Sample Virtual Youth Night Schedule

Welcome/Opening Prayer - 5-10 minutes
- Lectio Divina, praise and worship song on YouTube

Virtual Icebreaker - 5 minutes
- Examples - Two Truths and a lie, scavenger hunt, trivia, pictionary, charades

Talk/Catechesis - 10 minutes
- You or one of your core members can give a talk
- Find a popular Catholic speaker/talk on YouTube and do a screen share of the talk (or send your teens the link to view it themselves)
- Use a virtual youth night series such as LifeTeen or ProjectYM (see links below)

Small Group Discussion - 10-15 minutes
- If your group is small enough, you can just do one discussion group
- If you have a larger group, have each small group leader lead a separate video conference (if you are using Zoom, you can enable breakout rooms)

Closing prayer - 5 minutes
- Song, intercessory prayer


Safe Environment Tips

In many ways, virtual events can be treated very similar to in-person events when it comes to safe environment. When planning out events, use similar protocol you would use for on-site youth group gatherings or classes. Below are a few basic tips:

1. Obtain permission from parents for their children to be on a video conference. Keep parents in the loop by including them in event invites.
2. All adults must be CORI'd and safe environment trained.
3. Never be one-on-one with a teen in a video conferenccing setting.
4. The physical setting of your recording should be as professional as possible. Recommendations would be an office, home office, or classroom if possible. Try to avoid more intimate settings such as a bedroom.
5. Be aware of the setting around you and encourage participants to do the same. Avoid anything offensive or profane.
6. Appropriate dress should still be enforced.
7. Try to hold gatherings at the same or similar times as normal in-person gatherings. 

For additional tips for best practices in virtual ministry, go to nfcym.org/covid19/. Scroll down to the "Virtual Ministry and Event Guidance Section"
For more detailed information on regular Diocesan Safe Environment policies, go to worcesterdiocese.org/safe-environment

https://worcesterdiocese.org/pandemic