Pioneer Clubs leader eNewsletter Print

June/July 2006

Dear Pioneer Clubs Leader,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs^® Leader’s eNewsletter, where we provide resources to help you build your Pioneer Clubs ministry. This month we would like to offer information that will help you decide what additional training you would like.

Training: Always a Good Idea

Whether you are in your first year of leading Pioneer Clubs or have been leading club faithfully for many years, you could benefit from additional training.

You probably got some sort of training when you started leading, even if only by reading the introductory material in your plan book. The leader plan books offer helpful suggestions about using the meeting plans and running your club meeting, as well as background on the curriculum goals of the Pioneer Clubs program. But you may feel you need more.

Pioneer Clubs offers convenient online training modules that provide interactive training for leaders. Go to the Leader Resource Center (password: kids) at www.pioneerclubs.org and click on one of the three training options available: Basic Training, Bible Memory, and Goals & Philosophy.

Ask your coordinator if your club owns any of the Pioneer Clubs training videos:

Basic Training, catalog #2777 (Order at the following link: http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1008&CategoryID=79&HeaderCategoryId=51&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EL11)
Bible Exploration Demonstration catalog #2776 (Order at the following link: http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1211&CategoryID=211&HeaderCategoryId=51&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EL11
Making Bible Memory Fun catalog #2772 (Order at the following link: http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1005&CategoryID=267&HeaderCategoryId=51&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EL11).

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 mastered the basics of leading a club meeting, how do you decide what other training you want or need? Sometimes the need will be obvious, as when you have a behavior or discipline situation you do not feel qualified to handle. Other times, you may just have a feeling that you could use some new ideas. To put a name on these feelings, talk with your club coordinator. If your club owns a copy of Leader Training Outlines, (catalog #2754) (Order at the following link: http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1208&CategoryID=208&HeaderCategoryId=51&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EL11), a look through its table of contents may show you topics about which you’d like to know more. Or you may know another leader in club or a church member who has expertise you need. Most people are flattered when asked to share their knowledge and experience.

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 you and your fellow leaders. Talk with your coordinator about how your club can benefit from these opportunities.

Many areas of training of interest to Sunday school teachers and teen leaders, such as understanding age characteristics, recognizing learning styles or choosing and using effective teaching techniques, would be useful to club leaders as well—and even parents. If your church plans training sessions for Sunday school teachers or teen leaders, check on whether the topics offered might help you. If so, ask whether this training could be opened up to club leaders—and even interested parents.

Remember, you play an important role in the development of the children in your club. By making sure you get the training you need, you will become better prepared to fill this role, and you will gain the confidence to enjoy it more fully.

Action Ideas for June

Talk to your coordinator soon about areas in which you'd appreciate more training.
Ask kids about their summer plans. Make sure you have current contact information on all of them so you can stay in touch.

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.

Today’s Kids...

... Today’s kids benefit from developing a positive self-image.

Stress how much you and God care about each club member.
Find ways to let each club member know that you think he or she is an important part of God’s creation. Point out kids’ contributions to discussions, their creativity, their athletic abilities, and any other personal strengths you see in them.

Pioneer Clubs Announcements

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

Photos can also be e-mailed to 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.

NEW! Pathfinder Curriculum

Pioneer Clubs is introducing an all-new revision of our Pathfinder curriculum! With a fresh new look in 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. Ask your club coordinator to call 800-694-2582 to pre-order yours today!

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 other 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!”