You Want to Start a Club!

The first thing to do is to have a meeting with your local pastor to make a plan for the operation of the club. Here are the things you need to discuss:

Is there a budget?
Can an account be created for the club?
Where will the club meet?
Will there be fundraising activities supported by the Church?
What will be the club policy?
What are the expectations for the Director and staff?

Once the basic foundation has been established, have the church board vote the "Club Policy". At this point you have a club...on paper only! Now you need to find some members of the church who are willing to be staff members. This might actually be the hardest step. People are excited about the idea of a club...not so much about the hours of volunteering. Don't give up!

Once the staff is in place start advertising. AdventSource.com has materials you can use. But you can also make your own if you are on a small budget. How to advertise?

Posters
Bulletin
Local newspaper (remember that Adventurer clubs are not exclusive to SDA members)
Personalized postcards or letters to children
Letters to parents, etc.

Together with your new staff, plan the calendar for the year.

Will you meet weekly or monthly?
On which day will you meet?
At what time?
What will be the order of the meeting?
What sort of budget will each counselor have?
What sort of "extra curricular" activities will you have?
What will be the cost to the parents?

For insurance purposes, aside from the obvious fact of needing the board's support, it is strongly recommended that the Church Board vote the club's schedule.

On registration day make certain you have all the necessary forms such as:

Registration form (found in the manual)
Medical information and release
Uniform information
Parent support
Letter to parents explain philosophy and expectations

On registration day, you can have regular classes or something fun to do for the children. Whatever you do, have something organized, as to make a good impression. While the children are busy have a parent meeting. Here's a sample of an agenda:

go over philosophy
go over mission
go over expectations
go over schedule
introduce your staff (unless they are busy in classes)
ask for help and be specific about where the help is needed
take questions from parents.

You have done it! The club is up and running. There is still a lot of work ahead but the rewards will be numerous and wonderful.

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