Blueprints for a Big Day

Big days and special meetings at church needn't be scary!
Here are a few suggestions you might want to keep in mind.

1. Ask others what they have done for themes in the past. There is absolutely NO harm in this, because there is "nothing new under the sun" and it will save you many hours of work.

2. Don't be shy about asking for free things. Big days should not break the bank. Many local businesses are more than happy to help out. Be sure to put a "community spin" on it, so this way they feel they are helping everyone out.

3. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN! You will get nowhere fast if you try to throw everything together a week ahead of time. Nobody wants to help a procrastinator, and you will find people telling you no to most pleas for help.

4. Communicate what you need done very clearly. This is essential when asking others to help. I find that most people would love to help out, but do not know where to start.

5. Check back with these people on a regular basis. I usually ask others to help "me" do something, instead of them doing all of it themselves. This prevents people from feeling like they have been dumped with a boatload of work just so you don't have to do it.

6. Make sure you are working harder than anyone you have asked to help. People will gladly follow someones lead who is busier than they are. The busier you are, the more you know as to what's going on. The more you know, the more people will follow your lead.

7. Keep very detailed records of what you have done and when you did it. This makes everything easier the next year you want to do something. I always have a list of contacts that I have made around the community for donations. The first year, I do make all of the donation calls. The next years in doing an event, I delegate this list out to others having them ask for donations. I also have these people add to the list, thus "growing" our list for the next year. It won't be long until you will have donations out your ears for your meetings!

8. Have a dinner or some sort of fellowship to outline the task at hand. I find that the better you feed people during this time, the more work you can expect out of them. I like to have a meal at the church and list every task for which I need a volunteer. I then pass around a pre-printed sheet of paper and let the "group" talk amongst themselves to sign up for things. This is usually more beneficial than just asking individuals, because people will plan what they want to do with someone else.

9. Always use a list! People feel more obligated to do something if their name is on a list. (I always use a clipboard and piece of paper with a sign up sheet when asking people to help.) I cannot explain why, but this helps tremendously!

10. Be flexible with an air of expectation when dealing with volunteers. Let these people know that if they cannot follow through with their tasks, to please let you know so that you might find someone else to fulfill their piece of the whole puzzle. Most people do well when they have a goal set before them.