Pioneer Clubs Coordinators Newsletter Print–Evaluating your club program

June/July 2006

Dear Pioneer Clubs Coordinator,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs^® Coordinator’s eNewsletter, where we provide resources to assist you as you plan, recruit, and train—enabling others to share God’s Word with children. This month we would like to give you some information on training to help you decide what to offer and when.

Training: Always a Good Idea

First-year club leaders probably recognize their need for more training, but how do you convince those who’ve led club faithfully for many years that they could benefit from training, too? The answer grows from an understanding of what training can do and what kinds of training you might offer.

Suggest that new leaders start by reading the introductory material in their leader plan books. The introductions to the plan books offer helpful suggestions about running a club meeting and planning a club year, as well as background on the curriculum goals of the Pioneer Clubs program. The online training option in the Leader Resource Center (password: kids) of the Pioneer Clubs Web site, www.pioneerclubs.org, allows leaders to learn at their own pace—and then quiz themselves on what they’ve learned. Three training options exist online: Basic Training, Bible Memory, and Goals & Philosophy.

For those who prefer a visual presentation, club program essentials are covered in the Pioneer Clubs training videos:

Basic Training, catalog #2777 (order at http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1008&CategoryID=79&HeaderCategoryId=29&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EC11)
Bible Exploration Demonstration, catalog #2776 (order at http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1211&CategoryID=211&HeaderCategoryId=29&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EC11)
Making Bible Memory Fun, catalog #2772 (order at http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1005&CategoryID=267&HeaderCategoryId=29&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EC11).

These training videos are a great addition to any Pioneer Clubs resource library. Pioneer Clubs training materials may be purchased online (http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/recruitment_training/default.asp#79) or by calling 800-694-2582.

Once you have presented your leaders with the basics of leading a club meeting, how do you decide what additional training to offer both new and veteran leaders? Sometimes the need will be obvious, as when leaders report a behavior or discipline situation they do not feel qualified to handle. Other times, your observation of club meetings may leave you with the feeling that your leaders could use some new ideas. Get a copy of Leader Training Outlines (catalog #2754) (order at http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1208&CategoryID=208&HeaderCategoryId=29&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EC11) and look through its table of contents to find topics about which your leaders might like to know more. Or you may know a club leader or a church member who has expertise you’d like all your leaders to benefit from. Ask that person if he or she would prepare a training session.

In addition, Pioneer Clubs supports its church programs with staff-led regional Leader Training Workshops and Training Teleconferences. The Leader Training Updates page on the Pioneer Clubs Web site (http://www.pioneerclubs.org/trainingwork.htm) lists the various training options currently available to club coordinators and leaders. Consult with your leaders about how your club program can benefit from these options.

Many areas of training, such as understanding age characteristics, recognizing learning styles or choosing and using effective teaching techniques, would be of interest to Sunday school teachers, potential new teachers and club leaders—and even parents. You may be able to get help organizing a training session if you combine your training efforts with those of your church’s youth pastor, DCE, or others in the church who offer training.

When should you offer training? New leaders will want basic training as soon as possible. Ideally they should get it before they lead their first meetings. Advanced training on specific topics can be organized as people show an interest, or you can organize a schedule of training on subjects that come up repeatedly over the years.

Why is training important? New leaders need training to gain expertise—and confidence. Veteran leaders will find encouragement in the reinforcement of techniques they already use and in the acquisition of exciting new ideas. And, if you publicize your training program well, not only will parents be reassured that your leaders are competent and well-informed, but potential new leaders will also be encouraged that you would give them the training support they need to be good leaders.

Action Ideas for June

Get firm commitments now from potential leaders who said “maybe” earlier.
Choose several ways to give new leaders basic training. As you secure commitments from new people agreeing to lead, match them with one of these training options.
Plan an all-club get-together over the summer to keep in touch. Some options: a trip to the zoo, water fun day or bike ride. This gives kids an opportunity to invite friends and new leaders a chance to meet the club members.

Ideas for Encouraging Leaders

Put thank-you notes on club leaders' cars so that they find them after a church service.
Invite leaders for a thank-you lunch or dessert.

Changed Lives

“I have a girl named Gina in my Trailblazer Club. Her parents don’t go to church, so she doesn’t know much about the Bible. For a Christmas present, I gave her a Bible and she was overjoyed. In club, we were reading about Paul and Silas in prison. The jailor asked the big question: ‘What must I do to be saved?’ We read on through the chapter. I asked the girls what they thought was the most important verse in the passage. Gina quickly replied, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.’ I almost fell off my chair! She ‘got it.’ I believe Gina has asked Jesus into her heart and life, and it’s a joy to see her grow. She is now memorizing the books of the Bible.” — Jean Priestap, Christian Fellowship Church, Toledo, Ohio

We’d love to hear testimonies of how your club has seen God at work. Please e-mail Becky at ballenpowell@pioneerclubs.org with your name, church name, and how you’ve seen God at work in your club.

Pioneer Clubs Announcements

NEW! Pathfinder Curriculum

Pioneer Clubs is introducing an all-new revision of our Pathfinder curriculum! With a fresh new look in club member handbooks and leader plan books, this new curriculum also includes:

Easy-to-use leader materials to decrease prep time.
New and updated topics and activities to hold kids’ interest.
Bible Exploration with life application to keep kids in the Word.
More options! Skits, games, and role-plays keep kids actively learning!
Suggested service projects to put faith into action.
Parent Pages for better communication with kids’ families.

The new Pathfinder Curriculum will be available in July 2006. Call 800-694-2582 to pre-order yours today!

Kids for Kids Hike

Congratulations and our thanks to all who participated in the 9th annual Pioneer Clubs Kids for Kids Hike! If your church hiked, please send your hike report and hike donation as soon as possible. And please include a photo for posting on our Web site.

Hike donations, reports, and photos can be mailed to:

Development Department
Pioneer Clubs
PO Box 788
Wheaton, IL 60189-0788

You can also e-mail your photos to Connie at cpowers@pioneerclubs.org.

Please Fulfill Those Pledges!

Many thanks to all who pledged to one of our recent phonathons! If you haven’t had a chance to fulfill your pledge, please do so as soon as possible. Sending your gift by June 30 will help Pioneer Clubs end our fiscal year on sound financial footing!

Your input counts! Look for our eNewsletter survey later this month. We look forward to using your suggestions and ideas to make this tool better than ever!

Reflections
How can you and your club leaders have fun and grow in fellowship together over the summer?

Lighter Side
When he was touring the sanctuary of his grandmother's new church with his parents, 3-year-old Charlie trotted up to the pulpit, interested to see what the view was like from there. His dad suggested, “Charlie, give us a sermon.” Showing his firm grasp of the basics, Charlie promptly and succinctly replied: “Be good!”