Holiday Appreciation Ideas If you haven't already done so, here are some quick and easy ways to let your volunteers know this holiday season how much you appreciate their service in Pioneer Clubs. Most of these ideas can be used around Christmas or revised to be used throughout the year.
What's So Important About a Mid-Year Club Evaluation?
It’s hard to believe, but before you know it, you’ll be hitting the midpoint of your club year. This is a great time for a club check-up, and a mid-year evaluation is a good way to do it.
Getting families plugged in to your Pioneer Clubs ministry can be an important challenge. Getting to know your “club” families builds trust and support of your ministry. And when unchurched parents form relationships with people from your church, they’re more likely to hear the gospel and become involved.
Service Projects--Serving God While Serving Others
Young people love to reach out and help others—most just don’t know it! Here are some creative ideas for every age-group in club and with a little preparation, your club members will discover the joy of serving God while serving others. Plus, service projects are a great way to show your church and community what club is all about.
For Pioneer Clubs in churches across the country the details that go into getting ready for a new club year are already in place. Volunteers are recruited, club materials are ordered, the club start date is on the calendar and excitement is building. And of course, church members have signed up to be Pals—or have they? Maybe your club hasn’t even considered having a Pals program. If so, it’s not too late to start!
A group of bright-eyed kids sit in front of you, ready for the club year to start. In addition to fun and games, you want them to meet Jesus. Learning to present a Bible Exploration is a key tool to help you.
Coordinators offer their ideas for a great start to the club year
“What tips do you have for planning the new club year?” That’s the question we posed to three Pioneer Clubs coordinators recently, in hopes their thoughts could benefit you as you move into fall.
Leading club may be challenging, and club leaders will appreciate encouragement throughout the year. Start with being a good listener--simple things make a difference. Offer words of encouragement: "You're doing a great job!" or "The kids in your club are really having a good time." Pass along positive comments from parents, club members and co-workers. And then try these ideas, too.
It’s March and many clubs are already three-quarters of the way through the club year. Before your Pioneer Clubs year is over, consider planning an end-of-year award ceremony before the entire church, in an evening or midweek service, or at a program or party during club.
Three formats for effectively evaluation your club.
One of the easiest ways to keep leaders motivated and to guard against midyear doldrums is to give them input into your church’s Pioneer Clubs ministry.
As the club members shriek, hop up and down and pop balloons you might think that they’re playing a favorite game or having a party. But no--it’s Bible memory time at Pioneer Clubs!
Provide parents with these resources for family devotions
Pioneer Clubs curriculum helps kids open the Bible and read it during club meetings. But many club leaders wonder—is there is a way to encourage Bible reading outside of club?
Now that club has started, you as a leader have a room full of excited and energetic club members. How can you love, support, guide and “be there” for your club members unless you know them? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Supplies appropriate “This Is Your Pal” form for each guest, pencils, camera(s), small bow-shaped pretzels, pretzel-making ingredients (see below), cookie sheets, baking spray, spatulas, bowls, mixing spoons, measuring cups and spoons, brushes, oven mitts, wire racks, water or apple juice, cups, napkins; optional: picture-printing supplies, cheese dipping sauce.
Ideas for promoting club to your church and community
Promoting your Pioneer Clubs program makes a difference! Plan to get the attention of your church and community this fall, draw in new club members and recruit club volunteers.
How to Keep in Touch with Club Members Over the Summer
Keeping in touch with club members over the summer is one way to keep the fun of Pioneer Clubs and goes a long way towards encouraging them to come back in the fall. Here are seven ideas to consider.
Now that summer is here are you wondering how to completely fill your club leadership in the next few months? More importantly, is it even possible when vacations and summer schedules intrude? Recruiting during the summer may involve a little more creativity, but here are some ideas to get you started.
Your leaders have planned events for club members all year long. Now it’s their turn to have a special event planned for them! Your leaders will enjoy being the honored guests for a change. Also, this is a great way to show your leaders how much you appreciate their efforts, time and commitment to the kids in club.
Spring is a good time to step back and take a bigger-picture look at your children’s ministry. You’ll want to evaluate how well your club routine, events and policies have worked, to help you plan for next year. Receiving feedback from leaders, parents and others is a good place to start.
Once you get this feedback, a planning committee can help you process it and build a stronger Pioneer Clubs program for the coming year. Having a planning committee means you’re not alone in deciding how to implement changes in your club program—a welcome relief! During the year you may have found that there were areas of club you couldn’t devote time to due to a lack of resources or volunteers. A planning committee spreads out the work so that all areas get the attention they deserve.
Kids love special events. You can have a mini special event each time you hand out awards. Adding even one simple, special feature to the presentation can make it a winner in kids’ eyes.
Last week for the Let’s Pretend Activity Award, 7-year-old Tyler acted in a skit for the first time—and beamed when his club leader applauded him. During the Sewcraft award, 10-year-old Lisa learned that she could make her Pant-Leg Purse look the way she wanted it to--if she just kept trying.
A recent TV commercial shows a dad building a treehouse with his little girl. The girl goes inside and makes a peanut butter sandwich for Dad to say thanks. We get to see his expression of surprise and delight.
Moms and dads and other caretakers are touched by simple expressions of their kids’ love for them. As a club leader, you can help your club members learn about showing love. Here are some ideas.
Coleaders—Building a Team Through Clear Communication
By now, most club leaders have settled into a routine with their coleader and have adjusted—more or less—to each other’s leadership style. But what makes a good leadership team? What components are key to a strong coleader working relationship?
In any kind of relationship, communication is always foundational for working well together. And there are several areas that coleaders should be clear on.
By now, your club has gotten off to a good start and been up and running for several weeks. You and your leaders are getting to know your club members and each other better--but what about parents? Each week parents drop off club members. They smile, chat with the leaders and sometimes receive flyers and information about Pioneer Clubs--but how can you better connect them with your club? Well... here are some simple ideas to get you started.
Behind every successful Pioneer Clubs program are the volunteers and leaders who give their time and talents to make it possible. How do you find gifted and willing volunteers? Where do you start? Successful recruiting means starting with the right attitude. Remember—you’re helping people find a place in church where they can use their gifts to serve God. Here’s a few tips that will help you.
Your beginning leaders need to know how to run a successful Pioneer Clubs program. Assure them that you will not just hand them their leader plan books and throw them to the little “wolves.” Explain the training you have planned.
Create a Welcoming, Inclusive Club for All: 5 Tips for Including Children with Special needs
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 53 million Americans have disabilities, which means about 53 million families struggle daily with overcoming obstacles to fit in with society. Sadly, research shows that one of the obstacles these families often face is a lack of acceptance in churches. Even in the body of Christ, people who are unfamiliar with disabilities and special needs often feel uncomfortable interacting with those who have them.
This need not be the case in Pioneer Clubs! If you have a child in your club with special needs (and chances are good that you do), you may wonder how best to include the child and help him or her feel welcome. Whether a child is dealing with a noticeable physical disability or with learning and behavioral issues such autism, ADHD or dyslexia, your intentional efforts to reach out and love that child can go a long way toward helping the child understand God’s love and grace. You’ll also be helping other children understand what it means to truly love our neighbor.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Because of this we have confidence that verses our club members memorize today will be relevant when they are adults.
Encouraging club members and recognizing their achievements are key objectives in Pioneer Clubs®. But don’t forget to recognize the hard work of your club leaders.
An ongoing recognition plan for children and volunteers creates a positive club atmosphere. Club members who feel affirmed will want to return and bring friends. And club leaders who feel appreciated will be motivated to volunteer again.
