Pioneer Clubs leader eNewsletter Print–Holiday Service Projects

October 2005

Dear Christian 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 give you tips for planning a service project for this holiday season.

Planning a Holiday Service Project

A service project can be a highlight of your club year. Millennial kids really want to make a difference. A service project gives them a chance to help others and feel good about their own ability to help. The holidays are a logical time for such as a project, since they’re a “giving” time of year.

Choose the project. To maximize club members’ enjoyment, keep the project simple, fun, and hands-on. If a particular service project from a past year went well, consider making it a tradition. Kids love traditions. They help identify and define your club group and give continuing and upcoming club members something to look forward to. Or brainstorm project ideas with your coleader. Some ideas are listed below to get you started.

Get permission. If you’ll be visiting people or working with a service organization, you’ll need to work around their schedule and requirements. You may need permission from your church, too. Don’t forget permission slips to be signed by parents, if you’ll be going off church grounds. The Promoting Your Club Program book (catalog #2771) contains reproducible permission slips. Order at the following link: http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1192&CategoryID=192&HeaderCategoryId=29&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EL3

Schedule a date and time. Keep school and church calendars in mind.

Inform parents and children. “Walk” club members through what to expect and what they’re to do. The more they understand ahead of time, the more comfortable they’ll feel and the more smoothly the event will go.

Plan with your coleader and club members. If you can let the club members make any of the decisions, they’ll be more invested in the project. Allow four to six weeks to work out details, rehearse, and so on.

Delegate duties. Recruit parents, Pals, and other volunteers from the church. Offer choices of which tasks they would prefer. This would be a great time for people who are considering leading club to get a taste of what it’s all about.

Service project ideas:

Skippers/Scooters—

Make cards for people who are ill or shut-in.
Donate toys they no longer use to a needy family. Toys should be in good condition. Color pictures on a big box to hold the toys.

Voyagers—

Bake and deliver cookies to public servants (firefighters, mayor, etc.). (One club used a horse-drawn wagon to make their deliveries.)
Make ornaments to decorate the church Christmas tree or entry.

Pathfinders—

Put on narrated Bible stories at a nursing home. An adult reads the stories while kids mime them.
Use shoeboxes to make “instant Christmas party kits” for needy families. Put in streamers, candy, balloons, paper goods, and so on.

Trailblazers—

Offer supervised baby-sitting so parents have time to shop.
Go grocery shopping for a food pantry.

Action Ideas for October

Tell your Sunday school class or small group about good things that are happening in your club. Your enthusiasm will be catching.
Get parents’ input on club and ask for their involvement by sending home a Parent Questionnaire (p. 16, Promoting Your Club Program). Order at the following link: http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1192&CategoryID=192&HeaderCategoryId=29&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EL3
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Encourage your club members to write thank-you cards or choose a project to do, to show how they appreciate your pastor.

Changed Lives

“Years ago I was a member of Pioneer Girls. I have some wonderful memories of Camp Cherith in Ohio. I will always be thankful for the time I spent with my Pioneer Girl sisters. I learned so much of God’s Word and his love. I can still remember all the silly songs and the wonderful campfires. [Now my sons also] know lots of the silly songs.”— Jaleyn Dobbs

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...
Millennial kids tend to be team-oriented and believe they can make a difference in the world around them. Service projects where everyone gets involved are a great way to channel their civic-mindedness.

Pioneer Clubs Announcements

Fall Phonathon

Many thanks to all who responded to our recent Fall Phonathon. We raised nearly $10,000 in pledges. Thanks for your generous support!

Autumn Kids for Kids Hike

It’s not too late to participate in the Autumn Kids for Kids Hike. For information on our quick and easy hike option, which takes only a couple weeks to prepare, visit Pioneer Clubs’ Web site at www.pioneerclubs.org, or call 800-694-2582 and ask for the Development Department. Remember, even though October 15 is the scheduled date, your church can hike on any date that works well for you. Be sure to let us know your hike plans by e-mailing Norma at nscott@pioneerclubs.org

Training Teleconferences

Join us by telephone for training especially designed to meet the needs of Pioneer Clubs coordinators and leaders! According to Christe McKittrick, Coordinator, First Baptist Church of Evansville:

“...the Basic Training Teleconference...was awesome! I have been leading and now coordinating and leading club for several years. I thought, ‘Oh, I don’t need to know this stuff. I’ll just get it set up for the others and go home.’ Instead I stayed and was really encouraged and re-energized by the training. I learned a few new things, but most of all I was recommitted to do the right things. And it really met the need of my new leaders.”

For registration information, visit http://www.pioneerclubs.org/trainingwork.htm. We hope you can join us for the Group Discipline session on October 22, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. CST.

Reflections
What reactions do your club members have to the idea of serving others? How can you help them get excited about your project?

Lighter Side
A Sunday school teacher asked the class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A small child replied, “They couldn’t get a baby-sitter.”