Signature activities

Signature activities are the things that identify you as a unique, individual leader. They make you and your ministry memorable.

• Establish a few “signature” activities or quirks that are identified with you and are unique to you.
  
• Establish a few “signature” activities that are unique to each event or activity that become a part of the “mystique” of that event.
  
• I'm very skeptical of “initiation” activities because these usually are demeaning
  
• A few examples of signature activities:
  
  • Have a special closing for each event.
    
  • A special, unique style or location for a Communion service
    
  • A particular game, such as Sardines which is only played on trips or on a particular trip
    
  • Unique “insider” vocabulary We used “No Plutoing” as a way of saying “no put-downs” (Pluto the planet was put-down by scientists)
    
  • When certain conditions are met (10 or fewer show up for a meeting) then a special activity will spontaneously occur (go out for ice cream).
    
  • Perhaps have a particularly obnoxious wake up method for overnights (I sing, as obnoxiously as possible the “Birdie song” – although they complain, they also talk about it year round and sing it themselves regularly).
    
  • On a trip, if there is a particular landmark, I point it out to them every time we pass it (“On the right is the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church”). After a couple of dozen times, and much consternation, I'll skip it once and they'll point it out.
    
  • Koosh Balls. These are safe in every setting, eazy to carry (2-3 in your pockets, a clutch of them in your backpack) and kids like playing with them. Wash in a mixture of bleach and water.
    
  • I once complained that I was really tired of playing guitar on “One Tin Soldier.” We now have a running, teasing, “argument” over singing this song: They insist on doing it, I thrash around saying how many 1000 times I've done it. In the end they “win” and we do it. It is a standing joke.
    
  • Take detours and back routes, even drive in circles when traveling – see if they notice.
    
  • Have a pet that they get to interact with.