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The house leader is one of the most important positions at Alpha. His main job is to be a
role model, upholding the standards of Alpha, and continuing the work of the day staff by
setting an example “in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim 4:12). The HL
spends more time with the students than the day staff, and plays a vital role in furthering
their growth into men of God.
One of our biggest needs at Alpha is consistency, and the HL is vital for maintaining con-
sistency, so that there are not “two Alphas” - a day and an evening program. Our students
are learning self-discipline, structure, planning, and accountability, and need consistent
standards.
Our students are also learning to live in community. The privilege and responsibility of the
HL is to encourage and help to plan outings and activities that are fun and give the guys a
chance to laugh and sweat with each other, and grow socially. Through this our students
also learn about finishing their responsibilities so that they can look forward to recreation.
The biggest job requirement is a heart for the guys. The house leader is not a babysitter or
a warden, but rather a man who is willing to get into the trenches with these guys, to love
them, to hold them accountable, to build relationships with them, to involve them in their
lives. We ask our students to “be here” physically, mentally, emotionally, and our HLs must
be fully “here” as well.
This means the HL needs to be engaged with the guys while he is on duty. It’s not a time to
be holed up in the bedroom, or on the computer, or talking with a girlfriend--the HL needs
to be a part of these guys’ lives, and that can only happen if he is fully engaged.
The other important role of the HL is to keep the house running and in good order.
With that in mind, here are a few specifics:
- Job hours are from 5 pm to 8 am, Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and
Sunday. House leaders need to print and post a schedule, so other staff/students will
know who is “on” each day. When one house leader plans time off, he is responsible
for making sure that the other leader will cover for him.
- House leaders are responsible for upholding the standard of house cleanliness and
maintenance, including:
- Daily, weekly and monthly cleaning; morning & nightly walk-throughs to make
sure the house is to standard
- Lawn care & maintenance
- Reporting and/or repairing of broken items
- House leaders are responsible for menu planning
- Helping students plan healthy and varied meals
- Helping students put together a shopping list and budget by Thursday evening each
week.
- Helping to ensure that students stick to the meal plan and don’t just eat all we have.
- Setting the example and upholding the standard with regard to speech, conduct, and
attitude. The HL can set the tone for the house.
- The HL should put together a schedule for evening devotions/prayer several nights a
week. The HL is not responsible for leading devotions every night, but for making a
schedule and initiating it.
- HLs need to get together Sunday evenings with the guys and work together on the
“Week-At-A-Glance” forms. Completing them as a group will ensure that there are no
time conflicts, that everything is covered, and that there is an opportunity to plan group
rec activities. HL needs to initial the students’ forms when they are complete. HLs also
need to complete one, showing the schedule for evenings/weekends. These forms are
due in the office by 8:00 am Monday morning.
Other helpful information:
- Students do not have unlimited access to phones. They are allowed to make evening
calls with HL permission. For long distance calls (south of 5 Cities, and north of the
Cuesta grade) they must buy a phone card, available in the office.
- Students are responsible to finish homework and other assignments before any rec ac-
tivity. HL should ask them if their responsibilities are finished before they do anything
else.
- Students are to submit a plan, in writing, 72 hours prior to any requested off-campus
activities (home visits, retreats, getting together with friends, etc.). HL can make excep-
tions at his discretion, but those occasions should be the exception, not the rule.
- Students are given a list of what to bring and what not to bring. Personal vehicles, cell
phones and personal music players are not allowed.
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