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Frequently Asked Questions
How old do
you have to be to get into DungU?
6th grade and up.
All the way up, even old people. 6th Graders are preparing for
leadership in the following year, when they will be in 7th grade (duh).
Who's going
to be teaching these courses?
Some will be guest
instructors with expertise and experience in their area. Mike Ashland
will be doing much of the instruction.
Will there
be homework?
Well, maybe a bit,
but it won't be the kind you're used to. It may involve an action or
event. There won't be much written homework.
So it's
basically going to school, right?
Well, no.
Besides training, students will be making decisions together, planning,
putting on a retreat, trying out games and discussion processes, praying
together, eating together for special dinners and events, having an awful
lot of fun and making new friends. And each student will be leading
and facilitating some elements...followed by evaluation by the team.
No, it's not like class.
I've never
really been a leader. Does that mean I won't be accepted?
Definitely not.
We're not just looking for experienced leaders. We want the raw
material to sculpt into leadership masterpieces....okay, maybe that's a
little scary... This is a place to learn about, explore and develop
leadership skills. If you suspect you might have them, or if someone
suggested you to the University, you ought to give it a crack.
I'm already
busy. No way I can fit this into my schedule!
Yeah, well, that's
never really true, is it? Busy people find the time for the most
important stuff. We know everyone is busy and can't make everything.
It's our job to make it good enough and important enough to you for you to
make the time. It's a team. It plans to win.
I'm a parent
and I'd like to do it along with my child. Is that okay?
Maybe not.
It's your child's call. Some parents and kids can work together in
this arena...some can't. Default power in the choice goes to youth.
When will
the meetings be?
There's a course
list on this website. The dates are all Sunday evenings. But
that could change if the team decides to change it. Some of those
dates coincide with Confirmation and will have to change, too. But the
dates will be decided (using consensus-decision-making) by the students.
How much
will this cost?
We thought about
charging a decent fee thinking that it would make it feel even more
important (it seems like these days people put more effort into things they
pay for...). But we decided against it. If we can't make it
important enough, then it just isn't.
Who's in
charge?
Well, Mike Ashland
is this year. In the coming years, as the team takes on Youth Ministry
at St. Clare, whoever is the youth minister will "be in charge." On
the other hand, the way this team works is everyone has equal veto
power...6th graders all the way up to oldest adult. It's an
interesting way to work.
Is this a
decent substitute for Confirmation or Catechism?
Hmmm. In
some ways yes and in most ways, no. You'll learn an awful lot about
faith and church that will surprise you. But it's definitely not a
substitute. Anyhow, why would anybody not want a piece of our awesome
Confirmation program??!!
Why have an
application? Won't everyone who applies get in?
To the first part,
we're not looking for warm bodies or people just looking for a good time.
We're looking for potential leaders. Second question: no.
Why is this
called Varsity leadership?
We're a little
behind the curve in the Catholic Church. Most of our youth ministers
are people in college or just out who have some experience of "youth group"
but no real Youth Ministry training (St. Clare's had done this 3 times in
the last five years). Most of the other churches have youth pastors
who have gone through seminary, divinity school and have served internships
in youth ministry. We're going to take some time to train people to be
youth ministers. Really. Anyone who really works DungU
will come away better trained than most initial youth minister hires.
So I'm still
a little afraid that I won't be accepted, or that I'm not really a leader.
Good. It is
scary being a leader. And being honest about it is one of those
leadership characteristics that are in short supply. There's one
really good way to find out. Apply. Get in. Get up on that
pony and ride and see if you fall off. We'll be there to catch you.
What's the
Junior High stuff that's listed on the Course Outline?
After the first of
the year, we're actually going to start up and run a middle school youth
ministry group that will meet every 2 weeks. DungU students will be
planning and leading that ministry. What better way to test and hone
skills? Think of is as getting on the Varsity Team as a freshman but
getting an okay to work out in a few JV games just to get your sea legs.
Good for you and good for our parish Junior Highers---and we've got a group
ready for High School next year!
I'm old.
I mean, I'm really old. My kids are all adults. I don't
think teens would relate to me.
Ooh, that was sad!
It has nothing to do with age. It has to do with being straight-up,
transparent and loving. If you think you know it all and are there to
pass all your wisdom on to these children, you're barking up the wrong tree.
It's a fellowship. Good people, all ages, different interest and music
and politics, big opinions, sharing prayer, helping each other out. If
you've never been helped out by a teen you need to get out more! Give
it a try---it won't kill you!
I don't go
to Catholic School and I haven't had much Catholic stuff. I'm afraid I
won't fit in.
Yo, perftect!
You will be asking the questions most of us Catholics have either taken for
granted or never learned. In fact, you do not have to be Catholic.
Do you have faith? Do you want to have faith, a relationship with God
and friends? Learn about leadership? Then come on in.
When will I
hear if I got in?
You'll be notified
the week of December 9.
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