Volunteer
Pay It Forward
Volunteer Opportunities & Resources
Interface with the Community as an Ambassador
DiscoveryBound’s growing network of Ambassadors is invaluable to us. A DiscoveryBound Ambassador is a liaison to your local community. You share our mission, highlight the programs we offer year round for all ages (Outreach, NLC, and Compass), circulate information on upcoming events, encourage participation, and identify individuals interested in receiving updates.
If you do not have a DB Chapter in your area, it would be wonderful to have you become a DB Ambassador to share information with your local Christian Science churches and community.
Interested?
Have Questions?
Call 888.416.7348 or email us
See Resources for helpful volunteer materials and flyers.
Being an Ambassador Also Offers Many Benefits:
- Contributing to the Christian Science movement by promoting opportunities for Christian Scientists, and their friends and family members of all faiths, to spend time together
- Helping your local church community to stay connected to the wider Christian Science community
- Opportunities to meet other Christian Scientists from across the country
Ambassadors Should Be
- Comfortable speaking with others
- Active with the local branch church(es) in your area
- Enthusiastic about DiscoveryBound and its mission
- Experienced using email and Google Suite, or willing to learn via direct training
- Willing to abide by DiscoveryBound’s Community Code of Conduct Agreement
Outreach Chapters
Chapter events are organized by local volunteers from your community and offer a variety of events for families, teens, 20s/30s, and adults or a combination. Chapter events are convenient for busy schedules, typically ranging from a few hours to a full day.
Don’t see an active Chapter in your area? Starting or revitalizing one is easy – and we’re here to help!
Get Started
- Begin with defining the need in your community – focus on families, teens, 20s/30s, adults, or all ages
- Build a support group and volunteer team based on fellowship
- Build a simple, consistent calendar based on successful event ideas
- Read through our tips for Starting and Revitalizing Chapters
- Keep inspiration at the heart of your ambitions, and everyone will value what makes DiscoveryBound activities unique – experiencing Christian Science in action
We look forward to partnering with you!
Volunteer as an Outreach Chapter Worker
Chapter workers are the heart and soul of DiscoveryBound’s Outreach community. Find rewarding fellowship working together to nurture your local Christian Science community.
Support a Local Chapter
- Organize ongoing local events for the Christian Science community and friends of all faiths
- Work with other local DB Chapter volunteers
- Fundraise for your chapter, and for local youth to attend Christian Science camps and/or other DiscoveryBound events
- Chaperone or help with participant carpools
Support Programs as an Outreach Chaperone
The depth of DiscoveryBound Outreach’s programming comes from our facilitators and chaperones. Set the standard and support the atmosphere that nurtures spiritual discovery!
Experience the Spirit of DiscoveryBound Firsthand!
- Help to support local and HQ-run DB events (event setup, facilitation, wrap-up)
- Travel with and stay in lodging with teens
- Set the metaphysical tone for the event, lead lesson study
- Serve both as mentors and logistics facilitators for the teens throughout the event
Interested?
See Resources for helpful volunteer materials and flyers.
Have Questions?
Katie Stewart
Outreach Volunteer Manager
Help Shape the Future of Our Youth as an NLC Mentor
Once teens are selected for the NLC program, they are asked to find a mentor. Mentors offer support and guidance, nurture the teen's growth, offer close friendship, and serve as a role model. Having a mentor to offer close friendship, and serve as a role model. Having a mentor to offer support as a spiritual confidante and partner is one of the most rewarding experiences for NLC teens. We hope this experience will encourage them to want to support others in the same way later in life!
NLC teens share this page with a prospective mentor and direct them to apply. All mentor applicants are asked to answer a series of questions, supply a reference, and complete a background check. Mentors have a year-long commitment to their teen, with the option of continuing each successive year of the program. A strong partnership between the mentor and the NLC teen provides a meaningful learning experience.
NLC Mentors Should:
- Have a deep love for Christian Science and desire to prayerfully support the mentee.
- Meet the Community Conduct of DiscoveryBound volunteers.
- Be at least 25 years old.
- Have time available to communicate and meet with the mentee on a regular basis.
- Serve as their mentee’s main advisor and a spiritual and practice resource for the program.
- Validate their mentee’s Congressional Award work as the Advisor.
See Resources for helpful volunteer materials and flyers.
Help Youth Live and Share Christian Science as an NLC Class Leader
Class leaders are integral to the National Leadership Council, acting as the primary guide for up to 20 teens throughout the four years. Class leaders facilitate monthly conference calls; teach the NLC curriculum; guide summer trips; create a supportive community of teens, mentors, and parents; and act as Christian Science role models.
NLC Leaders Must:
- Be a practicing Christian Scientist and Mother Church member, preferably Class-taught.
- Be self-motivated by dedication to NLC’s mission.
- Develop a rapport with high school teens.
- Able to make the four-year time commitment to an NLC class.
- Attend a two-week summer experience in June/July (first three years) and the annual All Class Retreat during a long weekend in January (5 years).
- Be a dedicated and flexible team member with NLC staff and other class leaders.
- Be first aid and CPR certified, completed any time before the first summer.
Being an NLC Leader Also Offers Many Benefits:
- Being motivated and inspired to be your best, recognizing others are learning from your example.
- Witnessing the spiritual growth and transformation of the teens.
- Helping teens spiritually tackle the tough challenges in their lives.
- Teaching them how to help each other.
- Feeling the embrace of love from teens of all types coming together.
- Traveling with the teens to experience new places and cultures and sharing inspiration with communities across the world!
Have Questions?
Contact the DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council director by email or call 888.416.7348 x103.
Resources:
Serve as an NLC Practitioner
NLC Christian Science practitioners offer teens, leaders, and mentors metaphysical support, guidance, and inspiration as teens navigate the four-year program, go on class trips and retreats, and grow as individuals. Practitioners join NLC classes on calls, trips, and retreats. Interested practitioners must be Journal-listed.
Get Started
Contact the DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council director by email or call 888.416.7348 x134 for more information.
Help Youth Develop Their Moral and Spiritual Compass as a Compass Guide
Each Compass group is supported by trustworthy adult role models in a safe environment for teens to explore questions and deepen their understanding of how God provides guidance in their lives.
Each year, the group (around 11-12 Christian Scientist teens) comes together for two four-day retreats, one in fall and one in spring. Between retreats, the two adult guides hold monthly web hangouts exploring a range of relevant topics through engaging and fun assignments. Guides serve as role models for their teens, staying in touch and supporting them through their school year.
Guides Should:
- Be practicing Christian Scientists with Mother Church membership, preferably Class-taught
- Demonstrate successful experience in working with young people and a deep love for the Christian Science Community
- Inspire dedication and enthusiasm
Being a Compass Guide Also Offers Many Benefits
Being a Compass guide is a unique opportunity to mentor and inspire youth regardless of one’s profession, enriching one’s life and the Christian Science movement.
- Benefits:
- Being motivated and inspired to be your best, recognizing that others are learning from your example
- Witnessing the spiritual growth and transformation of the teens through exploring topics of their choice
- Traveling with the teens and facilitating two fun retreats
Have Questions?
Call 888.416.7348 or email us
See Resources for helpful volunteer materials and flyers.
Requirements:
- Available to give approx. 10–15 hours/month to this position; varies from month to month
- Maintain regular communication with teens to provide guidance and support
- Hold monthly Zoom meetings on Sunday evenings with teens; send agendas and call recaps
- Lead two retreats
- Record expenses and follow budget guidelines
- Participate in check-ins with DiscoveryBound staff and provide reports and fruitage on a regular basis
- Capture photos and videos for DiscoveryBound to archive and use in marketing materials
Volunteer as a Compass Practitioner
Compass Christian Science practitioners offer teens and guides metaphysical support and inspiration as students navigate the program, go on retreats, and grow as individuals. Practitioners support each group, join them on their monthly calls, and travel with them during in-person retreats.
Interested?
Contact the DiscoveryBound team by email.
Resources
Find resources here for all of DiscoveryBound’s volunteer programs. If you have questions about any of our programs, please visit our staff page to see who to contact for that program area.