Member Responsibilities

Throughout the course of the program, we will use class participants to help coordinate the day’s activities with the Director.  During each session, an Officer of the Day is chosen to help the director.  The Scribe and Photographer will record the events through notes and photos. The Commentator reflects on the experiences of each day and the Facilitator leads the group in discussion at a round table during each session.

Officer of the Day

Act as Master of Ceremonies.

  1. Introduce topics of discussion and speakers.  Introduce yourself to the speakers and spend a few minutes visiting with them when they arrive.
  2. Introduce any special guests who might be in attendance.
  3. Maintain the schedule.  You should use sound judgment with regard to altering the planned schedule.
  4. Make sure an invocation is given at all meals.
  5. Present a brief (5 minutes or less) talk at the beginning of your day’s duties.  Talks can be motivational, inspirational, thought-provoking or humorous.  You may choose to read a Bible verse, quote a speech, read a poem, tell a story, or do other appropriate things.
  6. Act as host for guests who will speak during your portion of the program.  You may also designate other class members to host guests, particularly during meals.
  7. Write a follow-up thank you letter to all guest speakers during your part of the program.
  8. At times you may need to act as moderator for panel or group discussions.
  9. Check with Program Director for special announcements and changes in the schedule.
  10. Report any appropriate information to your successor.

Scribe

A Scribe will record the highlights of each session.

The report will include brief reports of each presenter and will be accompanied by photographs.  These reports will be used to complete a notebook of the complete ALOT experience, which can be used as a reminder of different presenters, topics, and resources introduced to the participants.

The Scribe assignment provides additional opportunities for increased reflection and analysis of the program seminars.  It is also another opportunity to fine-tune writing and analytical skills.  The Scribe’s report is an overview of the entire day’s seminars and may or may not include personal reflection and opinion.

  1. Note the highlights of each presentation, panel, workshop or activity during the session, including the location if appropriate.
  2. Write an overview report of the day’s presentations.  This report may (but does not require) personal commentary in a separate section.
  3. Typed reports are due one week after the session.

Photographer

A Photographer will record the highlights of each session with pictures.  Some of these photos will be used in conjunction with scribe notes for a class notebook and the web site.

  1. Take photographs of selected presentations/activities throughout the session.  Photographs should include participants as well as presenters if possible.
  2. Prepare captions for photos on the ALOT website.
  3. ALOT will provide the camera and film.

Commentator

We think it is important for ALOT participants to think critically about the information and ideas presented during the course of the program.  It is also important to explore new ideas and to feel confident and secure in expressing feelings about both new and old perceptions.

The purpose of the Commentary is to give ALOT participants an opportunity to reflect on the events of the day. The Commentator may choose any topic that made an impression, whether it was something unexpected, something they liked or disliked, or something that just hadn’t occurred to them before now.  This activity also gives ALOT participants another opportunity to gain confidence and skill in speaking before a group.

The Commentary should be three to five minutes long and is not subject to questions.  There will be a commentary each day, usually at the end of the day’s events.

Facilitator

At least once each session we will have an informal roundtable discussion. The facilitator will pick the topic and lead this discussion. 

It will be the duty of the facilitator to involve as many of the group as possible, keep the discussion flowing, and bring the discussion to an end when the topic has been thoroughly discussed.

The topic of the roundtable discussion can be any issue or subject of the facilitator’s choosing.  (hint: To avoid lectures or monologues the subject should be one with which at least a few participants would have some knowledge).

The facilitator is also responsible for choosing the next facilitator.