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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Work within the role of the celebrant
  2. in developing and delivering ceremonies to address wishes and values of clients in a non-judgemental way
  3. historical evolution of the role
  4. in religious and secular contexts
  5. as possible career path for a range of occasions
  6. Plan ceremony
  7. Organise ceremony
  8. Perform public or private ceremony
  9. Undertake administration relevant to celebrancy work

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Essential knowledge

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include

Awareness of the history of ritual and ceremony including both religious and secular focus

Function and importance of ritual ceremony group support and story telling times of change and in particular human life stages from birth to death

Broad understanding of the role of the celebrant in Australian culture in st century

Structure and function of ceremony and role of celebrant

The public role and legal importance of different kinds of ceremony

Recognition of range of ritual and ceremonial expression across different cultures

Understanding of how ceremonies signpost a culture

Benefits of ceremony and ritual to society

Art and craft in the delivery of ceremony

Broad knowledge of stages of human development and psychology of change

Understanding of importance in relation to celebrancy of

client centred focus

ethical and moral issues

distinctions between religious and civil ceremony content ie Church vs State issues

Legal and practical information such as

Awareness of Commonwealth State and Territory discrimination laws

Detailed knowledge of responsibilities in accepting a statutory declaration Statutory Declarations Act

Copyright Act especially applicability of the use of material in ceremonies

Understanding that celebrants have an obligation to protect privacy and maintain confidentiality Privacy Act

Understanding of obligations relevant to operating as a celebrant within the Trade Practices Act Trade Practices Act

Understanding and awareness of cultural rights multicultural contributions and the place of the arts in culture and ceremony

Understanding of and committed attitude to ongoing professional development

Conflict of interest issues in a celebrancy role

Resources and associated costs required to establish support and maintain a celebrancy servicehome based small business including

insurance public liability professional indemnity accident and other

professional association membership

professional development

Current knowledge of WHS issues and management of potential emergency situations as they apply to the celebrancy work role and range of work environments including

legal requirements relating to WHS

basic hazard identification procedures such as venueenvironmental inspections and review of associated safety information and procedures

principles of basic risk assessment

hierarchy of control and its application in risk management

processes for raising WHS issues reporting hazards incidents and injuries and WHS issue resolution

potential emergency situations alarms and signals and appropriate response

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Conduct an effective ceremony including use of additional materials

Facilitate ceremonies in a manner that demonstrates cultural and social respect

Incorporate visual and performing arts in ceremony and ritual appropriately in a manner that addresses client needs

Manage ceremonies consistent with the celebrants responsibility towards the value of ceremony ritual and symbolism

Personalise a ceremony or ritual to address specific identified client needs

Research internet and other sources for ceremony and celebrant related information and resources and support

In addition the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include the ability to

Adhere to all required legislation

Deliver the agreed format and content of the ceremony

Determine and understand client needs and assist clients to feel at ease

Determine content for ceremony distinguishing between appropriate religious and civil ceremony content in line with client requirements

Demonstrate effective communication skills including

speaking in public

speaking in a firm diplomatic and culturally appropriate manner

provide clear information listen to and understand the needs of clients and clarify ceremony instructions

maintain awareness of and sensitivity to clients needs eg demonstrate sensitivity to issues of ethnic religious beliefs cultural background language levels personal capabilities of clients

confirm procedures with translator as necessary

Ability to

Complete essential legal documents accurately

Consider and provide appropriate acknowledgement of First Australians and or Welcome to Country and any other persons or groups relevant to the place and provision of the ceremony

Demonstrate language and literacy competence including

literacy competence to satisfactorily fulfil the role of a celebrant including the ability to interpret legal requirements

using appropriate ritual and symbols in ceremony

language competence to provide clear information listen to and understand the needs of clients and clarify ceremony instructions

succinct and clear written expression in a style that addresses its purpose and suits audience needs

Demonstrate effective presentation skills including

presenting materials for ceremony professionally

controlling assembly of clients and guests with discretion

projecting voice effectively before an audience

demonstrating discretion in terms of any perceived or actual disruption during ceremony

conducting ceremony with flow and continuity

demonstrating respect and courtesy to clients guests and other participants ie photographer musicians translator before during and following the ceremony

demonstrating respect and courtesy to clients, guests and other participants
(i.e. photographer, musicians, translator) before, during and following the ceremony

conveying an attitude of professionalism and compassion

using effective problem solving skills to clarify any legal or other business issues arising

Demonstrate management and administrative skills including

using effective techniques for monitoring own service area including client satisfaction

applying numeracy skills including satisfactory recordkeeping

providing honest and open information re fees and monies refundable and in what circumstances

ensuring arrival at venue at agreed time

Provide ceremony resources that are varied presentable and well maintained

Refer persons to appropriate authority for further information

Research develop and maintain a data base of appropriate poetry prose symbols music ceremony accessories and other ceremony content for a range of ceremonies and clients

Recognise and act upon opportunities to enhance sustainability

Use celebrant support services such as AttorneyGenerals Department state and territory registries of births deaths and marriages celebrant associations or religious affiliations as appropriate

Use verbal and nonverbal skills to initiate and sustain participant engagement

Work with culturally diverse people in a celebrancy context and demonstrate understanding of the role of various kinds of ceremony such as marriage or funeral ceremonies in different cultural contexts

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

For aspiring marriage celebrants this unit is most appropriately assessed by the observation of a simulated meeting with client and simulated ceremony or through role play and the completion and submission of documents

Assessment for this unit needs to ensure that individuals can demonstrate an understanding of the role legal status nature and importance of different types of ceremonies and the impact of these separate factors on their role as a celebrant

For existing marriage celebrants choosing to be assessed against the competencies this unit is most appropriately assessed prior to and during the conduct of a marriage ceremony and the completion and submission of completed documents

Assessment should enable assessment of response to a diverse range of clients in a range of situations

A diversity of assessment tasks is essential for holistic assessment

Access and equity considerations

All workers in community services should be aware of access equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit can be assessed independently however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged

Resources required for assessment of this unit may include access to

relevant or appropriately simulated environment where assessment can take place

relevant legislation guidelines and range of required documentation

Method of assessment

Observation of simulation andor role play of client interview

Observation of simulation andor role play of ceremony

Evidence of completion of documentation if required

Evidence of the appropriate use of ceremony and symbolism


Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Key parameters for ceremony may include, but are not limited to:

Civil or religious focus

Content of ceremony, such as:

Poetry/prose

Music/songs

Visual presentations

Prayer and/or meditation

Duration and timing

Involvement of participants

Location/setting/venue

Purpose of ceremony

Rehearsal and back-up requirements to address contingencies

Type of ceremony, such as:

citizenship

commitment

corporate ceremonies

funeral

house blessing

marking special birthdays

marriage

naming

renewal of vows

retirement

Prepare each ceremony may include but is not limited to:

Develop a structure for the ceremony, including:

orchestrating positioning and movement of participants and guests

determining detail and sequence of elements of the ceremony

Select and/or create content and integrate into ceremony, including:

reading or recitation of poetry/prose

music/songs

visual presentations

prayer and/or meditation

movement/dance

Identify appropriate them and style of presentation

Research internet and other sources for ceremony content

Presentation of ceremony may include:

Accurate and professional presentation of content according to plan

Facilitation of ceremony participants and/or other service providers to perform their roles

Orderly progression of ceremony, as agreed with clients

Personal presentation to be in line with client needs and purpose of ceremony, including:

voice

clothing

persona

etiquette

public speaking

Audience characteristics may include:

Age range

Number of people in audience

Social, cultural and language background of audience members

Conflict of interest issues in a celebrancy role refer to:

'Conflict of interest' provisions applying to the appointment of marriage celebrants