Ministry Schedule ~ Automated Substitutes and Trades
Automated Substitutes and Trades
You may now use the “Ministry Scheduling Web Terminal” to assist in finding a substitute when necessary. You can use the automated system, or log in to see contact information for other ministers.
This note focuses on automated substitutes and trades. Note the automated system described here is one option for getting a substitute. You are not required to use it … however it does save you much time on phone calls. This system targets only those who are in a position to accept your request.
Let’s use an example to explain this system. Suppose the following ministers are all Extraordinary Ministers on June 14th
Alec A — Scheduled as Cup
Carol C — Scheduled as Cup
Bobby B — Scheduled as Host
Emily E — Scheduled as Lector
Fay F — Scheduled as Lector
George G — Not Scheduled on June 14th
Dave D — Not Scheduled on June 14th
Now suppose that Alec A can no longer serve on June 14th. He can log into the Web Terminal and click on the “My Schedules” tab to see his current schedule. By the listing for June 14th, he can click “Request Sub”. He could also have done this from the original e-mail he was sent with his schedule.
The system will automatically e-mail those who could help him: in this case Dave D, Emily E, and George G. Bobby B and Carol C would not receive e-mails since they already EMs on that day and can not fill in for Alec. In addition, Fay F could not fill in because she is a Lector.
The request would also show up in the “My Schedules” section of the Web Terminal for Dave D, and George G. They can click on the “Volunteer Now” link in the e-mail for web terminal to fill in for Alec A. When they do so, they also have the opportunity to offer to trade one of their other dates (if any).
Once a substitute is found, the schedule is automatically updated in the web terminal. Plus, weekly reminder e-mails will now be based on the updated schedule.
Pros of the system:
Quick and easy to use
E-mails go only to those who can fill in
Anyone checking their schedule online who can fill in can see your request
Automatic E-mail confirmations of the substitution
Schedule on web terminal and future reminders automatically updated
Cons:
You can not request a trade with a specific minister or date/time
Not as personal as a phone call or talking to someone at Mass
At any time … feel free to Call Vicki at 687-9345 with any comments or questions.