Pioneer Clubs leader eNewsletter Print–Successful group discipline

September 2005

Dear Christian Leader,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs^® Leaders eNewsletter, where we provide resources to help you build your Pioneer Clubs ministry. This month we would like to help you with group discipline.

Tips for Group Discipline

Group discipline is a frequent subject of conversation among people who work with children. About 80 percent of your success in having a well-managed club comes from being prepared for meetings:

Be organized and ready when the first club member arrives.
Have supplies organized and ready to use so that you can begin each activity quickly and smoothly.
Know the plan for the meeting so you don't have to stop and consult your leader plan book.
Decide ahead of time what kids who finish an activity early should do—so they don't end up dashing around the room.

The other 20 percent of your success depends on having a workable discipline plan. Ask your club coordinator if there's a discipline plan already in place for you to follow. If not, you'll want to create some rules, logical consequences, and steps to take if you can't solve a problem yourself.

Creating rules:

Consider letting the kids help choose the rules. This will increase the likelihood of their following them.
Have no more than five rules, so the club members can remember them.
State the rules positively: "We keep hands and feet to ourselves" rather than "No hitting or kicking."
Make the rules observable and measurable. Otherwise, you won't be able to enforce them. For instance, "Follow the leader's instructions" is more enforceable than "Be on your best behavior."
Make the rules age-appropriate. Check out the age characteristics chart in the front of your leader plan book for guidance.
Review the rules frequently with the club members. Send a copy home for parents.

Using logical consequences:

Connect them logically to the behavior. For example, a logical consequence for talking when someone else is talking would be to separate the culprits, as opposed to denying them a snack.
Allow the child to choose between following a rule or continuing the poor behavior, which brings a logical consequence: "You may use your indoor voices or we can skip this activity and go on to the next one. You choose."
Keep consequences respectful. The child is always worthwhile, even if the behavior isn't.

Getting help with a problem you can't handle on your own:

Consult with your club coordinator about what he or she wants you to do. One possibility is to turn such a problem over to the coordinator.
Put the step(s) you and the coordinator decide on in your discipline plan.
For more help with discipline, look for resources in the Pioneer Clubs catalog, such as the Discipline: Guidance that Makes a Difference video (catalog #2779). Order at the following link: http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=875&CategoryID=39&HeaderCategoryId=29&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EL2

Once you've got your discipline plan in place, expect the best from your club members. Kids often rise to meet our expectations. Work at bonding with the kids. Show you're interested in them as people—in their likes and dislikes, their pets, school, their friends. Seek God's wisdom and guidance. And don't forget to simply enjoy your club members.

Action Ideas for September

Listen to your club members' comments and answers during Bible Exploration to find out what they know about the Bible, God, and salvation. Then tailor the content of upcoming meetings to fill in the gaps in their knowledge.
Using the activity award directions laid out in your leader plan book will provide your club members with a wide variety of experiences in different areas. If you'd rather personalize your award choices more, ask questions about kids' interests, and choose awards accordingly. You might make a list of awards you and your coleaders are willing to do and then let club members vote.

Changed Lives

“Last year we had a boy, a neighbor of one of our church members, attend club. He is in sixth grade and can be quite difficult. He has had a pretty difficult childhood. Every once in a while, though, we see a softer side. One night he told our leaders that he had been transferred to a different school because he had been fighting. The leader, who was familiar with the school, told him she was worried about him because the school is a pretty rough place. The boy responded, “I'll be okay; at least I have Wednesday nights (Pioneer Clubs).” Many times we wondered if he was really getting anything out of club at all, and all along God was using our club leaders to minister to and love this child, who had plenty of reasons to be in trouble.”— Jocelyn Horton, First Baptist Church of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona

Today’s Kids...
Today's kids learn best when they are actively involved. Use the active learning techniques in the Bible Explorations to help club members understand and remember what you're teaching.

Pioneer Clubs Announcements

Keeping in Touch...

Representatives from Pioneer Clubs will be calling some of our friends this month to thank you for your past giving, let you know what's going on in the ministry, and ask for your continued support. We look forward to chatting with you!

Autumn Kids for Kids Hike

Did you miss the Spring 2005 Kids for Kids Hike? Join us October 15, 2005*, for the Autumn Kids for Kids Hike!

An autumn hike is a great way to kick off your club year. It also allows you to get unchurched kids involved in club early and helps you increase your club's visibility.

All the information you need is at Pioneer Clubs' Web site at www.pioneerclubs.org, or call 800-694-2582 and ask for the Development Department. Be sure to let us know your hike plans by e-mailing Norma at nscott@pioneerclubs.org.

*or whatever date best suits your church

Training Teleconferences

Join us by telephone for these special LIVE and INTERACTIVE training sessions, especially designed to meet the needs of Pioneer Clubs coordinators and leaders! Upcoming topics:

Basic Training
Group Discipline

For dates and registration information, visit http://www.pioneerclubs.org/trainingwork.htm. We hope you can join us!

Need help planning your club year? For a sample club year calendar, visit: http://www.pioneerclubs.org/pdf/sample_club_year_calendar.pdf

Reflections
What areas of club do you feel you need more help or guidance with? Let your club coordinator know so he or she can help.

Lighter Side
The Sunday school teacher was explaining the story of Elijah and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the altar. Then Elijah commanded the people to pour water over the altar. “Now,” said the teacher, “why would God have Elijah pour water over the bull?” A little girl raised her hand with great enthusiasm. “To make the gravy,” she said.