Adult Volunteer Leader
Self-Improvement Series
Welcome to the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Mississippi Corridor Cluster, Adult Volunteer Leader Self-Improvement Series. This is the fourth in a series of five independent study lessons designed especially for adult volunteers that work with youth.
Take your time to go through the lesson, writing down any special question or problems you have. Plan to ask and discuss those questions with other volunteers, more experienced leaders or contact the Mississippi Corridor Cluster county extension office nearest you. We appreciate your comments. They help us determine future efforts for providing training.
Introduction
Dr. David Campbell in If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You'll Probably End Up Somewhere Else says that, "If you want something good to happen, make room for tomorrow."
We want good things to happen in our youth group. But good things only happen if we take the time and make the effort to carefully plan our group’s yearly program.
Simple observation has shown that in groups where families are excited, where members and adults willingly volunteer to work, and where members are eager to join, good planning has been the key to success.
Good youth group program planning gives the incentive to our group as a whole and to each of its individual members, leaders and parents to strive "To Make the Best Better."
Objectives
- Identify the importance of planning a group program.
- Set realistic goals for your youth group.
- Understand the importance of the youth group meeting.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of your youth group meetings.
Have You Got That Spirit?
Do you have spirit and excitement for your group? If you do, that excitement will spill over to your members. At your next meeting try the "Have You Got That Spirit" chant. The chant has actions to help build up enthusiasm.
"Have You Got That Spirit"
| Leader | "Have you got that spirit?" |
| Group | "Yeah, (insert the name of your group)!" |
| Leader (louder) | "Have you got that spirit?" |
| Group | "Yeah, (insert the name of your group)!" |
| Leader (louder) | "Have you got that spirit?" |
| Group | "Yeah, (insert the name of your group!" |
| Leader | "Then let's see it in your heads!" |
(repeat the word spirit five times in the rhythm,
two longs and three shorts, while also moving the head from side to side each time spirit is said)
(move head to one side)
"Spirit!"
(move head to other side) "Spirit!"
(repeat spirit chant moving head each time spirit is said)
"Spirit-Spirit-Spirit."
| Leader | "Have you got that spirit?" |
| Group | "Yeah, (insert the name of your group)!" |
| Leader (louder) | "Have you got that spirit?" |
| Group | "Yeah, (insert the name of your group)!" |
| Leader (louder) | "Have you got that spirit?" |
| Group | "Yeah, (insert the name of your group!" |
| Leader | "Then let's see it in your shoulders!" |
(repeat the word spirit five times in the rhythm,
two longs and three shorts, while also lifting your shoulder each time spirit is said)
(lift shoulder)
"Spirit!"
(lift other shoulder) "Spirit!"
(repeat spirit chant lifting your shoulder each time spirit is said)
"Spirit-Spirit-Spirit."
Enthusiasm goes a long way in improving meetings. Enthusiasm creates more fun and encourages everyone to participate. Enthusiasm also keeps the meeting moving.
Why Program Planning?
A plan is like a road map; it helps you to pick the right road(s) to get to your club's goal(s). A good youth group program plan will:
- Provide a role for each member, leader and parent.
- Meet the needs of each member, leader and parent.
- Share responsibilities among all members, leaders and parents.
- Inspire a balanced group program between learning, work and fun.
- Provide for better communications.
- Help with cooperation between members, parents and leaders.
- Help members, leaders and parents to learn and/or improve planning skills.
- Avoid calendar conflicts.
Six Easy Program Planning Steps
How Do I Find Out The Needs?
If the group's program is to serve the purpose: "to provide opportunities for the personal growth and development of youth and adults," then every member, leader and parent must be considered in planning the program.
Listed below are a few ways to survey members, leaders and parents. (These ideas could be used at any time during the year.)
- Suggestion Box:
- Decorate a box and explain its purpose at a meeting early in the year. Members, leaders and adults should be asked to put suggestions for the coming year in the box.
- Roll Call:
- Ask members to answer roll call with a suggestion for an activity, group goal, etc. No response should be respected.
- Sharing Ideas:
- Tape a large piece of paper to the wall (shelf paper, brown paper, anything large). As people arrive, ask them to write on the paper at least one thing they would like to do in the group next year. Using markers or crayons in many colors might add to the fun.
- Brainstorming:
- Divide into groups of five or six in which all members, leaders and parents make suggestions for group activities, events or goals. All ideas should be encouraged; do not evaluate or criticize at the time. Groups should be creative! Sitting on the floor and listing ideas on large sheets of paper may be fun.
- Collages:
- Attach pictures and other items suggesting activities to large sheets of paper, boxes, cartons, or bags. Be creative! Making collages gets members involved while giving the planning committee suggestions. Have members explain what their collages mean. Necessary materials would include magazines, newspapers, construction paper, crayons, glue, scissors, etc.
- Written Survey:
- A paper and pencil survey can be written to be filled out by families in your group. Be sure that the paper survey allows for all ideas to be expressed.
Resources for group program ideas can come from the local, county and area leader trainings and forums; sharing ideas with leaders from other groups and counties; youth magazines and countless other youth group orientated books from your public, school and/or church libraries.
What Is A Group Goal?
Part of your group plan should include group goals. These are short and long-range things your membership would like to see happen. It's important a committee help to set these goals and that the whole group agree to them.
When setting goals think about what your group is like. How many members are there and what is the age range? Check to see that the goal is realistic and can be accomplished. Does it meet the needs and interests of youth and adults in the group? Be sure it promotes cooperation, individual opportunity for achievement and room for all to participate.
When the goals are approved and a plan outlined to reach them, be sure all families receive a copy.
Examples:
- Long-Range Goals:
- Each member to have the opportunity to do some public speaking.
- Each member will invite a friend to at least one meeting.
- Short-Term Goals:
- Each member scheduled to give a project demonstration.
- Group members to give committee reports.
- Each member to have the opportunity to show and tell at some group function.
- Younger members scheduled to lead flag pledges at each meeting.
Topic 4: Strengthen Your Group Through Planning
to return to the beginning of this series.
to go to Topic 5: Understanding Recognition and Awards.
Understanding Youth
Supporting the Family
Projects: The Gateway to Boys and Girls