So you’ve been assigned to lead a Bible Exploration & Award in club. It’s exciting to help children dig into God’s Word and see what it has to say to them today! But where do you start?

An unchurched parent drops off their son and daughter for Pioneer Clubs each Wednesday night.

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.

When preparing for the club year—consider including a Pal program in your Pioneer Clubs ministry. Children benefit from positive, caring attention from adults.

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.

One of the easiest ways to guarantee a positive and productive club year is to equip your leaders and committee members with training and support.

At this time of year, the search is on for leaders and others to volunteer.

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.

An official kickoff event is a great way to launch your Pioneer Clubs program this fall.

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.

How to recruit over the summer
 

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.

Here’s a way to help club members learn be grateful. Give them the opportunity to help you recognize their club leaders at the end of the year.

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.

José runs over to you as you’re trying to set out supplies for the next activity. “Look at my painting!” he exclaims, waving it at you. Do you: 1. Say without looking up, “Great; set it over there to dry”? 2. Pause to look it over and say, “I like the bright blues and greens”?

By their behavior, our club members ask us every week: “Do you care? Are you interested in me? Do you like having me around?” All kids have emotional needs—whether or not they act needy and even if they seem to enjoy putting people off. Every child in your club needs to be encouraged from time to time. Words of affirmation from us help fill up club members’ “emotional tanks.” When emotional tanks are full, kids feel better and behave better (a plus for us!).

Look for something to affirm about each club member this week:

•  “Thanks for how helpful you were to Lindsey just now.”
•  “Cool shoes!” 
•  “You really used some elbow grease cleaning up after our Cooking award.”
•  “I can tell you tried hard today to remember to raise your hand. Thanks!”
•  “I’m glad you’re in our club.”

Also keep in mind that really listening to what a child has to say is very affirming. It says, “You’re important to me.” This means the world to kids. Think what it means to you to have someone listen! God calls us to love each other. Simple words of encouragement and a listening ear from you can help your club members come to believe in themselves and trust that God loves them, too.

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.

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.

Both public and personal touches will help you show appreciation to your club leaders this winter. Leaders who feel appreciated are more likely to volunteer again next year.

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.

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.

A respectful style of discipline allows children to get involved. Let the kids, especially the older ones, be a part of the rule-making process.

Try these ideas from veteran club leaders to help your club meetings run more smoothly.

These take-home cards will:

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.

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.