Governance: Youth Committee of Session

Some times the controlling council of a youth program is established by the Session or other official board. This, again, can take different forms depending on church size, traditions, and power structures. However, there will be at least one officer of the church on the committee, usually the chair of the committee and they will, at least nominally, appoint the rest of the committee.

• Pros:
  • They usually have real power and can make larger, more significant decisions.
  • They report directly to the Session or official board, also giving the committee more power and effect
  • They tend to have a more global focus and visions, setting overall youth ministry direction, creating or ending specific programs
  • They will be the ones recommending budgets to the official board
• Cons:
  • Their focus on bigger picture issues may mean that many details about the running of the youth program is left for others to implement
  • They can be distant from the youth program and not see some of the real issue that affect the program
• Working with an official committee
  • Official leader do not like surprises. Keep the chair and/or Elder informed about things that need to come before the committee
  • Help whoever is going to put the committee together have good and broad representation, especially of youth from the various programs
  • The committee needs to clearly establish who will do what for any actions and who will implement any programs or projects
  • Every month make sure there is a report of some sort to the official board. Even if there is nothing big to report, the Session needs to always be reminded of the youth program.
  • Have the Session representative report to the committee things that might affect the youth program
  • Work on budgets early and carefully. State budgets in terms of what is changed from the previous year and a justification for each change (plus or minus). Be specific.

keeping track of registrations

For large events, there is a lot of little things to keep track of when people are preregistering and again at check in. It is important for the leader of an event to not have to be involved in then check-in process – they need to be out greeting youth and parents. To make this possible, during preregistration, keep a spread sheet listing participant name, grade, assigned group or dorm or other significant information, date and amount of the deposit and date and amount of every payment toward the final cost. Before check in, highlight or list from the spread sheet those who still owe something. The checkin person/people can handle everything from there.

Surprise Announcement Styles

Getting a group, especially a larger group, to listen to announcements is a real challenge. One way to tackle the problem is by varying the method by which the announcements are given.

What to avoid:

A style of presentation that attracts more attention that the actual announcements. I once did a video tape that caused so much discussion that no one actually heard the announcements imbedded in it.

Variations:

• If you serve a meal, use place mats with announcements written on them.
• Produce a newspaper with the announcements as advertisements
• Scribbled in Crayon and reproduced
• Video tape someone walking around, doing things while making the announcements
• Post the announcements on the ceiling, floor, walls, etc.
• Create a computer multimedia presentation with them
• Make a audio tape, overdubbing voice over music
• Do them DJ style
• Rap style or as an original song
• Give each announcement to a different youth, and have them make the announcements
• Make the announcements into a group song and sing them - turn them into a round???
• Do it Socratically as questions: I.e. "when is our Senior Retreat?" "What time do you think we are likely to leave?"
• Have an announcement scavenger hunt.

Simple rule for decorating a youth room

Even though it is best to not decorate in such a way that it becomes dated too quickly, if it is redecorated every few years then “typical youth room” isn't bad. Redecorating a room is a good group building project.

Church newsletters

 Monthly put articles in the newsletter that are targeted for the adults of the church (youth usually don't read newsletters) that address upcoming events and celebrating past events. The whole church needs to know what is going on.  You can also put together a comprehensive listing of all youth events for the coming year and mail it to the whole congregation.  Not only are many interested in what the youth are up to, but those that are funding the program, through their pledges and special gifts, need to know that it is all worthwhile.

Unknown Destination Trip variations

Although I tend to work from a standard weekend format, I vary the formula as often as I follow it. This variation helps make each trip memorable. Some variations:

• A retreat setting
• An overnight lockin
• A cabin in the woods, on a lake, at the shore
• A working ranch or farm
• Horseback riding
• A mission tour.

High School aged "runners" (not track people...)

“Runners” are youth that disappear suddenly from an event or activity. For older youth, especially if they have driven to the event:

• Just mention that you worry about them when they disappear, and that you really need to know when they leave so you don't drop everything and go looking for them.
  
• If it is a camp or retreat, it may be necessary to call the parent to say they have left and you no longer can be responsible for them. It is, of course, best for a lot of reasons that no youth brings their car to an event such as a camp or retreat.
  

Dealing with a disruptive youth in a classroom type setting:

An old school teacher's trick. Without excluding the kid or letting them be outside the circle, put them in a place in the room close to you that you naturally don't look toward (usually to your immediate right or left). If you don't notice them they will be less of a distraction. But being up front and close to you will make them feel important.

Cleaning up spills

The best way to get up a liquid spill is to put down a thick mat of paper towels and then step on it (even if it is on the back of a couch) – this blots up even deeply soaked liquids. The process may have to be repeated many times, but is much better than wiping, which most people do instinctively.

Governance: Unofficial youth council

This is a “whoever shows up” system. Starts with a general call for people to stay after the regular activity. It usually doesn't work to have the meeting before the activity or at a special time.

• Pros:
  • The people that are there want to be there and usually have something specific they want to contribute
  • Typically efficient because there is no pretense of formality (minutes, resolutions, etc). Be sure someone is taking notes, however.
  • Easy for an adult leader to guide
  • If the meeting is after another activity, it is probably late and no one wants the meeting to go on forever
• Cons:
  • Tends to focus on immediate concerns and not touch bigger picture issues
  • No continuity from one meeting to the next
  • Easy for and adult leader to control

Group size

It goes without saying, but I'll say it:  A “group” should not be less than one adult and two youth.

The testing of a new leader phase

Remember that for a while a new group has to test a new leader's patience, endurance, tolerance and limits.

• This usually takes a couple of months. This is, then, an argument against rotating leadership, without some constant leadership. They may never get beyond the testing stage, which is unpleasant and unproductive.
• This period tends to be unproductive and disruptive.
• All the standard rules about about setting boundaries and how to handle breaches of these boundaries need to be observed.
• Do not expect them to be this way forever. You just have to successfully survive it.

Unknown Destination Trip: Problems and Pitfalls

• The biggest problem, of course, is simply gaining the trust of a group and their parents for the event to happen. The first few times there may not be a sellout crowd, but in any group there are usually a few intrepid adventurers who will try anything. Their reports will determine the future of the trip.
• The no-brainers that we all miss sometimes: don't plan any activity that is likely to cause a parent to feel betrayed (Stadium rock concert, X rated movie, sex ed. program, ... ) or cause a child to feel left-out, weird or a failure (hang-gliding, Ropes course, working in a geriatrics ward ...). Some of these may be valid youth group activities, well worth doing - but not as surprises.
• Uncontrolled situations. On return from the trip, everyone needs to feel that you were totally in control of everything from start to finish in order for the activity to build a sense of trustworthiness. Unavoidable problems will be understood as long as everyone agrees that the problem was unavoidable. Taking a group into an uncertain situation with the expectation that you can "wing it" will not build confidence.
• Make sure that additional drivers have explicit directions for each destination location. If they get separated they need to know how to get where they are going, even if they don't know what is at that location. I have given them a sealed envelope with maps and everything in it. Usually they can just blindly follow me.
• Make sure that the young people are always in eyesight of a counselor, since the youth haven't any idea of where they are supposed to be.
• Recognize that you are at the mercy of the contact person. Rather than getting a single idea or itinerary from them, get a list of options and use your own judgment. What appeals to their youth may not appeal to yours. If you are not satisfied with the list you obtain, contact the destination's Chamber of Commerce and/or Travel Bureau.

Creating new games

There are unlimited possibilities. Here are a few starting places for creating new games:

• Silent games. A normal game but it must be played without talking.
• Volleyball variations. A volleyball and net lend themselves to a wide range of ideas. Try changing the ball being used or the net being used or both. (My favorite is to blow up a garbage bag and use it for volleyball)
• Games in the dark
• Take a non-game object or piece of junk and think about what can be done with it. (see Brite-Tites as an example of what can be done when creative thinking is applied to an unexpected object).
• Utilize your space. What can be done with the room - can it be made dark? is there a good "base" or "jail"? is it varied enough for good guessing games? are there object that can be turned into games?
• Water games – take a normal game and play it in the water

When our adult perspective hurts

Your adult perspective can be helpful to them but should not be used to belittle or shrug off their feelings or attitudes. (Puppy Love is not Puppy Love to them, it is love.)

The value of recreation spots or disks

Recreation “spots” (rubber disks) can be used for a bunch of things including place holders for games (one rear per spot), bases, and indoor flying discs. Keep a few of these available in your youth and recreation locations. Carry one in your backpack.

Governance: Appointed Youth Council

In some situations youth leaders like to hand pick their leadership. This usually suggests youth leaders with control issues – but experience often confirms the wisdom of an appointed youth council. You can get a more compatible, cooperative and, if chosen well, productive and even creative team. Generally speaking, as readers of this blog will recognize, I have theological and developmental objections to strong adult leadership that leave little room for youth leadership (a good youth leader does need to be strong, but not at the expense of the youth).

• Pros:
  • Better mix of leaders
  • Disruptive and incompatible youth can be avoided (Is this really a “pro?”)
  • Better workers and better commitment to the program and its leaders
  • Efficient, especially any meetings
  • The kids feel special
• Cons:
  • The Kids feel special and may be viewed by the other youth as “teacher's pets.”
  • They become a group within the group and have an experience not shared with the larger group
  • There may be potential leaders of importance that are never called on
  • They may be too agreeable and not challenge the youth leader's assumptions and ideas
• Working with an appointed youth council
  • Pick a diverse committee representing more than subgroups but also personality types
  • Pick at least one contrarian to stir things up
  • Use a passive method of leading the meeting, not just laying out your ideas and agendas.
  • Have them poll the larger group about issues and ideas
  • Give them “feet-washing” jobs that remind them that they are servants of the other youth: work a food serving line, be responsible for cleanup after events, etc
  • As I've mentioned elsewhere in my blog, since these youth are getting plenty of attention already, you can focus on giving attention to the other youth in every other situation – to the point of ignoring the council youth.

Youth worship services for youth events and activities

Let the youth themselves design and produce youth activity worship services.

• In time they will get good at it. You may want to reserve the “meditation” for yourself. But they can do these also.
• They will need help in knowing the necessary components of a legitimate worship service, as defined by your denomination, this can often be extracted from them by having them list components as they remember them and then collectively arrange them in an appropriate order. It will stick with them better if they figure it out rather than being told.
• They probably need help in finding Bible passages that apply.
• Keep a supply of worship resources in the youth room or chapel and in your travel kit.

Your spouse's world is important too

(As I've mentioned before, I'm using the term “spouse” in a very open and inclusive fashion, without an assumption of a legal contract. It is a deep and significant relationship, way beyond a “room-mate.”)

• Unless a spouse is also called to youth work, support his/her own work and calling. Listen to their world. Don't expect them to be more enthusiastic about your world than you are of theirs.
  

A sample Unknown Destination Trip itenerary

I have put a sample UDT itinerary on the documents page

When there is unhappiness in your job

When there is unhappiness in your situation, differentiate between the ebb and flow of life and something deeper.

• If someone in particular is unhappy with you and giving you grief, is it temporary? Are they prone to periods of these attitudes, or do you think that this will continue unabated?
  
• Are you, your group or the church just in a bad place or is there something permanently evil in the situation? (The latter possibility is rare!)
  
• Weather and seasons make a difference – in my churches I have found January and February to be cranky months that simply need to be survived.
  

Unknown Destination Trip itineraries

It is important to provide parents or guardians with a detailed description of the trip before you leave. This should include all activities, with times, locations and phone numbers. The name and phone numbers of any contact people will also be helpful. These lists can be prepared and placed in sealed envelopes. When a parent drops off the child, hand them the envelope, but ask them not to open it until you leave. 

Governance: Elected Youth Council

This style of governance is when a component of a youth program, usually the “youth group” elects or has some particular system for selecting permanent leaders to do planning. Typically there is a representative from each grade level or each group (youth group, Sunday School, sports, ...)

The pros and cons are similar to those of Youth Officers, except less hierarchical and therefore easier to work with.

• Pros:
  • There is not a lot of prestige to these positions and they take time, therefore you usually get better and more capable participants than with “officers”
  • This approach gives you more consistency than less formal planning groups
  • With a representative from different ages you get their perspective and reactions
• Working with a youth council
  • This depends a bit on the size of the council and the size of the group they represent
  • Either break them into planning teams to alternate planning and executing programs
  • Or divide them into teams responsible for areas of the groups work: worship, meetings, service projects, recreation
  • Give them real power and control. Trust them. Delegate responsibility and tasks

Changing up games

Take a normal game and put a twist to it. This will keep games from being boring or predictable. This can also sometimes remove unpleasant aspects of a game without making an issue of it.

• Some of the game and idea books available can put one in a creative frame of mind as well as provide an endless supply of already created game variations.

• It is also fun to have the group itself create odd or new games (but you may have to stipulate in advance such things as no violence, low cost, level of skill required, etc.). 
• Since some youth work publishers offer money or recognition for new games, this can be extra incentive for you or your group to come up with some "keepers."

• Teens, especially older ones, are often resistant to new games and even more resistant to having their games "messed with." So be prepared for a lot of "We've never done it this way before." However, if you can get them to play it a couple of times, and if it is a workable game, it may soon be one of the "We've always done it this way" items in your group's life.

• This is not a forum for a theology of gaming and what are appropriate and inappropriate games, but these issues should always be kept in mind. I will never forget a youth group (not mine!) that created a new game that involved playing Ultimate with a truck tire - only the strongest and bravest dared play, leaving out a lot of other people.

Koosh Balls

Koosh brand balls are hairy balls without a core. Koosh balls have a 1000 uses, but their best quality is that if someone gets pegged by one it doesn't hurt, and things aren't as likely to get broken as with any other ball. Unlike most soft balls, these can be thrown long distances.
I always had a half-dozen of these handy.
See the links page for more information.

Check-in times at a theme park or equivalent

In a controlled situation where youth are allowed to go out on their own, such as at a Theme Park or a Mexican open market, it is important to have everyone all together in one place and at one time from time to time. Before spreading out have a clear and acknowledged meeting time and place.

• This prevents inadvertent games of tag: sending people out to locate youth who then get lost.
  
• If the group decides to change plans everyone is there and the change can happen immediately.
  
• It is not acceptable for a youth to report for someone else. Miscommunication is too easy in such a situation.
  

Unknown Destination Trip publicity is now posted on document page

What to bring list for Unknown Destination trip

A week before the event, send out a "What to Bring" list. This also can be done playfully. Always include "red-herring" items that will not be necessary for the trip but might cause the participants to guess incorrectly what they will be doing. Do try to think through all the items they will or even might need to have on the trip. Many youth and parents will be concerned about how much money will be needed. As expressed in other posts, it is a good idea to have all necessary costs of the trip - food, fees, tickets, etc. - covered by the single fee charged and to have available subsidies or scholarships). After assuring them that they won't have to have any additionally money, it is well to stay out of any discussion of how much spending money will be needed since this is a completely personal issue.

As soon as I can, I will put a sample "What to Bring"  on the Documents page.

Old programs

An issue, activity, concern may be old hat to you, but may be completely new to them. (You know the old saying, “They act like they just invented sex”).

• Items are new every 4 years (Time to do a Trust Walk again!)
  
• Keep viewing these things from their perspective. If something is new to them, then it is new, no matter how many times you've gone through it.
  
• Always review old programs to make sure that it is still relevant and appropriate (I no longer do Fuzzy Bunnies)
  

Spiritual Risk assessment

Spiritual risks are things that can challenge or break a youth's spiritual foundation without it being rebuilt at the same time.

• If their beliefs are being challenged is there enough time to work through it with them?
  
• Can an adult's or a scholar's understanding of a Biblical passage be unnecessarily complex and faith shaking for the youth?
  
• Are you prepared to discuss the standard “why do bad things happen to good people” and “prove to me there's a God” and “what kind of God would allow this to happen” questions without faltering or getting in a blind alley.