Interview Guidelines and Questions #2

Interview Guidelines and Questions #2

RS: Re: handouts for leadership meeting
Ann Amadori

Here is the list of suggestions I made for our RS presidents to consider using for their VT interviews. Hope it helps.

NOTES ON VISITING TEACHER INTERVIEWS

'Visiting teaching is the biggest, most important calling in the whole church. When you touch the lives of mothers you touch the whole family.' See page 3-4 in the Relief Society Handbook for the official instructions on visiting teaching.

THE CALL:

1. Talk to each new VT about the importance of the calling. Explain her responsibilities to her. Don't assume that a new convert or a sister new to relief society (age 18) (or even a sister new the ward) knows what visiting teaching is all about.

2. Be practical in making assignments; consider work schedules and experience. (Be careful of asking a sister who can only visit in the day to visit a sister who is only home in the evening. Put a strong, experienced VT with a new or weak VT.)

3. When making changes in your VT routes, talk to the sisters involved first. It may seem like a lot of extra work but you will benefit in the long run. Some potential problems will be avoided right up front.

4. Above all, let the Spirit be your guide.

COUNSEL TO INTERVIEWERS:

(RS PRESIDENCY, INCLUDING SECRETARY, VT SUPERVISOR IF DESIRED)

1. Divide your list of visiting teachers into 5 groups; one for you, each counselor, secretary, and VT supervisor. Do your interviews and rotate lists every 3 months.

2. This interview is not an inquisition. It is to be conducted under the direction of the Spirit in love and sisterhood.

3. Your own Spiritual well being will influence your effectiveness.

4. Treat the VT like a queen! She is the most important person in that interview! Give her credit and thank her for her work as a visiting teacher and for attending the interview.

5. Give her an opportunity to share her feelings. Be a loving listener. Ask how she feels, how she is doing, how she is getting along with her companion.

6. Interview companions separately, then together

7. Bear your testimony of what it means to you to have Visiting Teachers visit and to be a Visiting Teacher.

8. Have the previous quarter report available so you know how the VT has been doing. If a sister is not doing her visiting, find out why. She may just have a scheduling problem. Ask what you can do to help her be successful. It may be necessary to ask her to take a list of "do not contacts" to write to each month. Keep the list small and give her a goal, i.e.: write a note the first week of every month. Be specific in your instructions. Be aware that not all sisters can afford postage each month, so please use your budget and purchase the stamps for her.

9. Make brief notes directly following each interview before you have time to forget items discussed. (Use 4x6" cards, one for each sister). Keep track of hobbies and talents. (Great resource for homemaking classes or other needs you may have!)

10. Help VT set goals for their callings as Visiting Teachers. Record them and ask for a report during the next interview.

11. Counselors, Secretaries, and VT Supervisors who are conducting interviews should discuss with the President the results of the interview.

12. Pass on to the VT Coordinator any information that would be helpful to her in fulfilling her calling.

*KEEP CONFIDENCES! Be aware that there are certain subjects that sisters should only discuss with their Bishop. Visiting Teachers should be counseled to encourage the sister they visit to talk to him, not them, regarding these subjects.

THE INTERVIEW:
1. How do you feel about your calling as a visiting teacher?
2. What do you consider a meaningful visit?
3. Do you leave a spiritual message?
4. Do you prepare the lesson so you can teach by the Spirit?
5. Are you able to adapt the lesson to individual sisters?
6. Do you pray for the sisters you visit each day?
7. What responsibilities do you feel toward the sisters you visit?
8. Do you contact your sisters on occasions other than the scheduledvisits?
9. How long do you visit in each home?
10. Do you keep in confidence those things discussed with you?
11. Are you discussing your own personal problems while visiting?
12. What are your visiting teaching goals? (Record and check nextquarter)
13. How are you and your companion relating to each other?
14. Are you able to get together to visit your sisters?
15. Do you pray together?
16. Do you take turns presenting the lesson, setting up appointments,contacting the supervisor?
17. Is it necessary to take children with you? If so does this seem towork for your sister?
18. Do you ask the sister what her needs are; how often does she want avisit, how long to visit, does she want a message?
19. Tell me about the sisters you visit. Are there any problems orconcerns we need to be aware of?
21. How is your message received?
22. Are there any needs the presidency needs to be aware of?
23. If one of the sisters you visit is planning to move out of the areado you make an attempt to get the forwarding address so the ward clerk cansend the records to the new ward?
24. Do your Visiting Teachers visit/contact you each month?
25. How do you feel about your relationship with them?
26. Do you report your visits to your supervisor at the end of eachmonth?
27.
THIS OUTLINE CONTAINS SUGGESTIONS. SEEK THE GUIDANCE OF THE SPIRIT AS YOU
PREPARE FOR INTERVIEWS AND MAKE YOUR OWN OUTLINE.

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