Counselors would be available during and immediately after the event in case anyone had questions or were struggling with spiritual issues and needed someone to talk to. Members of this committee should be mature in their faith. It can be helpful if they have some training or experience in counseling but not absolutely necessary. Above all, a good counselor is a good listener. Counselors should avoid giving advice, trying to solve the counselee’s problem for them, or choosing a course of action for them. Counselors can feel free to ask questions to be sure they fully understand what the counselee is trying to say, share their own experiences or the experiences of others when they apply to the situation, and to offer any resources that may help the counselee. The goal of the counseling session is to help the counselee get the information and resources they need to make their own decision on a solution or course of action. If any follow-up action or referral is needed, be sure to exchange contact information with the counselee. This committee should meet at least once prior to the event so they can discuss these instructions and share any similar counseling experiences with each other. It may also be helpful to meet once after the event to share experiences and provide feedback to the event planning staff.
