Campus Life Relational Ministry Action
Club
DEFINITION
A weekly large group meeting, of more than 25 students, that is high
energy, safe, fun, and non-Christian friendly.
“He welcomed them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:11
This chapter focuses on an overview of Campus Life Club, including
important information on Campus Life Crowd breakers, Discussions, Wrapups, an explanation of Crowd Control (Campus Life style), an overview of
the first few fall meetings of Club and finally the all important “Fall CheckList” to help you start your Campus Life career off right.
WHY DOES CAMPUS LIFE USE CLUB AS AN RMA?
A. GIVES IDENTITY
The Campus Life staff person understands that club is just one
Relational Ministry Action in their weekly schedule, but it is one of
the first contacts with Campus Life for most students. The
craziness of the weekly club meeting, and its lively discussions,
creates our image and is what most students know as "Campus
Life." It is, therefore, worth the effort it takes to make club the
most creative, well planned and most talked about meeting
possible. To the student body, Campus Life is the place to go.
B. CREATES COMMUNITY
One of the biggest challenges for high school students is finding a
place where they can just be themselves. At Campus Life, they
can fit in without feeling pressure to participate in activities they
know are not in their best self interest. The acceptance
extended by the staff and the club's non-threatening
atmosphere gives students a place to “belong.”
C. PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY
After experiencing a meeting, students are more likely to
participate in other Campus Life activities, events, and trips,
making Campus Life a place to get involved. Club is the regular
point of contact around which the other RMA's naturally revolve.
D. ALLOWS DISCOVERY
Campus Life meetings give students a chance to discuss
important issues (club is a place to be heard), and to learn how a
relationship with God affects all areas of life (club is a place to
get answers.)
E. OFFERS CONTINUITY
Students may attend over 120 club meetings while in high school
and will learn to trust Campus Life as a safe place to grow in their
relationship with Christ. Student who stay at area community
colleges and universities are also the best candidates for
volunteers and part-time staff which extends our involvement in
their lives for at least four more years.
HOW TO DO CLUB?
A. PREPARATION
CURRICULUM
Knowing that meetings are well planned, socially safe, and
consistent in style and content gives students the confidence
they need to invite their friends. Not taking preparation
seriously, therefore, is one of the biggest mistakes a staff
person can make. Staff can meet a bunch of students and
spend a lot of time getting to know them, but something is
missing if those same students don’t look forward to the
weekly meeting, and do their best to involve their friends.
Staff should select the topics for club meetings at least a few
weeks in advance. This gives them time to find relevant
crowdbreakers and illustrations from current events and the
media. It also allows time for better publicity, and for staff to
think of the little extras (i.e. music, props, decorations). Using
a year-long curriculum helps organize issues into month long
series, leads naturally to Gospel presentations, and saves staff
from a ton of last minute panic. We recommend the
National Campus Life Club Curriculum as a great option.
LOCATION
Meeting in a different student's home each week helps build
relationships with parents and makes it easier for the host
student's friends to come check out club. On the other hand,
using the same location each week makes publicity easier
and gives students a place of their own. An effective
compromise is to use a "house of the month." When
considering a new location, be sure to visit the location to
ensure the available room will work for a meeting, before
agreeing to have club there. In some areas, the need for
larger space will require giving up the benefits of homes and
finding a community room, or space in the school. Plan
ahead as club involves more students and don’t allow it to
stagnate in growth because you are out of space. Always be
sure the location is safe and non-Christian friendly.
HOST HOME
Call your host/hostess the day before to make sure they are
still expecting you and will help the meeting run smoothly by
eliminating distractions:
- Keep pets and younger children out of the room.
- Keep nearby radios, stereos, and televisions turned off.
- Have parents listen from another room if they are
interested in what is going on.
Students share more honestly without parents present.
- Prepare for refreshments in another room to not distract
students during the discussion and wrap-up.
Always check with your host/hostess before moving furniture,
using TVs, DVDs and stereos or hanging anything on the walls.
Plan ahead for parking, offer to have students remove their
shoes and always leave the room as cleaner than you found
it!
CHECK LIST
A couple days before club start a list of items needed
including crowdbreaker props, first timer cards, music and
video equipment, paper, pencils, flyers, trip registration forms,
posters, banners, and prizes. Doing as much advanced
preparation as possible takes a lot of pressure off of club day.
It also allows you and your volunteers to be more focused on
the students rather than the show.
B. PROMOTION
SCHEDULING CLUB
WEEKLY
Ideally, meeting every week provides a consistent place
for students to belong, and keeps them involved and
interested. Promotion is easier because one meeting can
build on the next and students don't have to ask, “Is there
Campus Life this week?”
EVENING
Evening is the time of day usually associated with social
events. Students are ready to relax after the day's
pressures, and usually don't have something else
scheduled afterwards.
TIME
Years of experience have proven that a unique starting
time, such as 7: 27pm, helps publicize club, and add to
our creative image. The club meeting should last
between 75 and 90 minutes, allowing you to tell parents
you will always be done by 9:00pm.
PUBLICITY
Although publicity alone rarely brings a new student to
Campus Life, good publicity does provide information
about our meetings, events and trips, and continually
creates our image. Creativity and quality in all our
printed materials is important, but checking for accurate
and complete information is even more important.
Keep a quality control checklist and be sure someone
other than the designer proofreads all materials. The
checklist should include:
[ ] Accuracy – Look for correct dates, times, days of
the week, year, phone number, address. Also check
for correct grammar and spelling.
[ ] Directions/ Maps – Good directions can save you
from dealing with very frustrated parents. If a map is
included be sure every street name and number is
correct, and use familiar landmarks to help. Try using
“N – S - E – W” as indicators.
[ ] Timeliness – You can tarnish your image quickly by
sending out last minute information, or promo for
events that have already happened. Your staff
should plan the year out in advance as far as when
to have flyers for club as well as registration forms for
events and trips.
[ ] Design – Don’t be afraid to have someone on staff
invest a little bit of time in attractive layout of printed
material. Again, it constantly contributes to your
image. Keep in mind that professionalism is
important. Publicity done right, lets the community
know you are serious about what you do.
School Policy varies as to what kind of publicity is allowed.
Never come close to even appearing like you are taking
liberty with what you’ve agreed to. As important as
publicity is, it is never worth creating bad relationships with
the administration. Even when nothing is allowed in the
school, students can pass out flyers, and you can do
attractive mailers to regular club attendees or leverage
technology to get the word out. Shirts worn by staff and
students, stickers for notebooks and cars and whatever
other printed product your students will buy, all add to the
Campus Life story, image and name.
DEFINING CAMPUS LIFE completely in a printed brochure
is a trick. A standard statement to use in print, or
conversation is: “Campus Life is really impossible to
describe. You really have to experience it for yourselves.
The meetings include a lot of fun, a discussion on a topic
of interest to high school students, and a short talk by staff
relating that topic to basic Christian principles.”
OPEN "MEMBERSHIP" - Students can't “join” Campus Life
and there are no dues or membership fees. Everyone is
welcome to come whenever they can.
C. PRESENTATION
SET UP
Get materials together early in the day, or even the day
before, and arrive at least 60 minutes before club starts. This
allows time for the staff to review the meeting, get set up and
be relaxed and ready to greet students as they arrive. Some
specific considerations:
- Informal Setting - the meeting happens, whenever possible,
in a home rather than a school or church. The seating is on
a carpeted floor rather than on rows of chairs. Although the
meeting is carefully planned and prepared (staff know
exactly what is going to happen), there is a structured
casualness to all we do.
Hang posters, banners and pictures of recent
events and trips.
- Make flyers and registration forms available for all
upcoming events.
- Play popular music as students arrive to help them
feel comfortable and to provide a background of
sound.
- Arrange the room so that students will feel like "this place is
packed".
- The "front" of the room should be opposite the main
entrance to reduce the distraction of latecomers.
- Remove breakable items and extra furniture. Keep only
furniture that can help form the back row.
- Consider the use of a sound system with crowds of 50 or
more.
- Turn on all available lighting.
- The temperature will inevitably rise 5-10 degrees when
students start packing in. If possible, start cooling the room if
it is above 70 degrees.
- Ask the host student, student leaders or a volunteer staff
members to meet students at the door, take their coats, and
direct them to the meeting.
- Staff members or student leaders should also direct parking
to keep cars off lawns etc.
- Staff members or student leaders should welcome students,
have them highlight their name on a sign-in sheet and have
first timers fill out an address card. It is effective to have the
sign-in sheet have four columns (one for each class) and
empty spaces for new names. The names of first timers
should be added each week so when they return their
name is on the list. Some staff casually recognize first timers
(“Jon’s here for the first time let’s give him a hand”) and give
them candy. One chapter puts a “Campus Life” wrapper
on a Hershey bar with a $10 coupon good for any Campus
Life trip.
-
LOGISTICS
Ask “who, will be where, to do what, when.” It’s one thing to
say, “then we’ll show the video” and a completely different
thing to have staff (or student leaders) all in place to turn off
lights, turn on the TV or projector, turn on the DVD or
computer, turn on the sound if necessary and do the intro.
Advance preparation makes a much better show.
EFFECTIVE USE OF STAFF
You should do your best to involve as many staff as possible,
as their giftedness and training allows. Although you cannot
afford to have an important part of the meeting totally
bomb, even new staff can prepare and effectively handle a
small assignment. Take the time to create transition
statements to draw attention to the next staff person. Often
staff will finish a part of a meeting, sit down and let the next
person come to the front and continue. Instead, say, “We
thought it would be a good idea to hear from someone with
a lot of dating experience tonight, to help us address some of
the issues we discussed tonight. But we couldn’t find anyone,
so, instead, here’s Aaron. This adds fun, keeps the meeting
moving and really hands the crowd off to the next staff
person.
NON-CHRISTIAN FRIENDLY
Our goal is to have at least 50% non-Christians in attendance
and to create programming that communicates at their
level. Avoid “churchy” language and never assume any
knowledge of the Bible. To say, “we all know what happened
to Noah,” makes those who don’t know feel totally left out.
INVOLVEMENT
Campus Life is not a lecture series or just a staff performance.
Meetings need to allow students to laugh, be actively
involved, and express their opinions and ideas. Most
meetings include crowdbreakers, discussion, and a wrap-up
(developed in the following pages).
HANG-OUT TIME
Be careful not to overlook the importance of hangout time
before and after club. This is prime time to meet students, get
to know them better, and interact with them in a safe, nonthreatening environment. You should know your week’s
schedule and intentionally seek out students to set up
appointments. Video games, a pool table, ping-pong,
basketball, volleyball, etc. are great extras. Many clubs make
good use of a local pizza parlor or fast food spot as an after
club hang out or to have students meet you there because
they could not make the club meeting.
WHY DO CROWDBREAKERS?
Crowdbreakers are activities designed to mix up the crowd and have fun.
They are a Campus Life trademark, and include everything from games
involving everyone to individual stunts, skits, fun songs, and creative media
presentations. Few things about Campus Life are as memorable. The 30
minutes of crowdbreakers are a critical piece of creating a relaxed,
welcoming environment.
A. BREAK DOWN BARRIERS
Crowdbreakers serve as "clique-breakers." Students will discuss more
openly having first experienced something fun together.
Crowdbreakers get things moving right away, gain the group's
attention, and help students unwind after a busy day. (Never forget
all the positives that come from laughter!!)
B. BUILD IMAGE
Many students think of Campus Life as a “religious group” and may
be turned off by negative stereotypes and experiences from their
past. The crowdbreakers they hear about strongly refute that.
Campus Life not only sounds like fun, they find themselves wanting
to check it out. Since there are always new students coming,
crowdbreakers are an important ingredient of club throughout the
year.
C. BUILD RAPPORT WITH STAFF
Crowdbreakers are not only fun for students, but also show that staff
can have fun. Staff are seen as part of the group rather than as
adult "chaperones." Crowdbreakers help Staff build rapport "relationship, especially one of mutual trust or emotional affinity"
(Webster).
HOW TO DO CROWDBREAKERS?
A. PREPARATION
Standards:
When selecting crowdbreakers we must be careful not to
violate our own standards of good taste just to make students
laugh. Also, they should never humiliate or belittle a student.
We also need to be protective of our reputation knowing that
crowdbreakers are reported (and even distorted) to parents.
(Sometimes it is better to embarrass staff instead of students.)
Selection:
Instead of just being warm up exercises, crowdbreakers can
often set up the topic of the evening. Thoughtfully select the
activities and use creative introductions and transition
statements. For a drinking meeting crowdbreakers become a
sobriety test, for a meeting on sex, crowdbreakers can be a
battle of the sexes, for a meeting on dating do a take-off on
the current TV dating show. Avoid the trap of only doing the
games you like best. A good mix of crazy stunts, messy
games, surprise-ending “burns”, game-show adaptations and
large group mixers make the best meetings.
Flow:
Although variety is the spice of life, and we like to mix things
up and keep students guessing, the order in which you do
crowdbreakers is important. Often this means:
- A quick opener to get everyone laughing
- A game that involves everyone and gets them moving.
Beginning a meeting on time with a crowdbreaker that
someone can walk in on and quickly join in on is a great
way to keep kids coming on time, while at the same time
not making those students coming in late from another
activity feel like they shouldn’t come at all.
- An up-front event that begins to focus their attention for
the discussion starter
Staging:
Be sure to give some thought to how you set up the front of
the room. If you expect the crowd to respond, they need to
be able to see and hear everything that is happening.
Logistics:
Be sure staff or student leaders are ready with appropriate
props, and know their cues for lights, media, or music. Use a
floor covering for any potentially messy games, and remove
messy props immediately after the crowdbreaker (if you set a
shaving cream pie off to the side thinking you will get it later,
you will “get it” later!). Plan ahead for any restrictions in your
meeting room such as low ceilings and nice carpeting to
modify the crowdbreaker, or even replace it with something
that would work better. Anticipate what could go wrong,
and try to keep it from happening!
Music:
Having a recent graduate volunteer as a DJ is one of the best
moves you can make. They know the popular music, and
enjoy selecting songs to match the various parts a meeting,
especially the crowdbreakers.
B. PARTICIPANTS
Choose students who are willing to participate, and are from
different cliques, classes and personality types. Be sure to consider
the type of crowdbreaker, especially if it needs an outgoing student
who will put on a good show. Be sure to involve as many different
students as possible from week to week, but never pressure
someone to be involved. An easy response to a student who
hesitates is simply, “that’s fine – you never have to do something
you don’t want to at Campus Life.” You definitely don’t want
crowdbreakers to scare students away.
A good introduction encourages students to get involved. Instead
of saying, “I need three volunteers for another dumb Campus Life
game,” say, “I need the three bravest students here tonight” or, “I
need the most verbal person in each class,” or, “who would like to
win…”
Thanking students for participating, making a big deal over how
well they do something, or even giving prizes for being a good
sport, all encourage participation, and create a culture of having
fun together. Especially when a “burn” is involved, make them the
hero for getting burned not yourself the hero for burning them.
C. PRESENTATION
If you believe a crowdbreaker is dumb and will never work-it
probably won't! On the other hand, if you're excited about it, almost
ANYTHING can be fun! Your job is simply to sell it. You will be more
relaxed, confident, and effective selling if you are well prepared.
Here are some important selling tips:
Know the crowdbreaker
Surprise the students -not yourself! Carefully read the
directions, and even test it with a couple of friends if you’ve
never seen it.
Explain the crowdbreaker completely
If students do not understand what to do, the crowdbreaker
will not work. Be sure to have everyone’s attention to avoid
the frustration of repeating directions, and to help keep the
meeting moving. Practice giving the directions out loud to
make sure the right words come out to match what you’re
trying to explain. Practice on a friend and ask them if they
would understand what to do. Explain the crowdbreaker
completely before handing out props, or before students
begin moving around. It is much easier to talk to the entire
group than to get the attention of several groups spread out
around the room. Say, “what you are going to do when I say
GO, but not until I say GO, is…”
Demonstrate what you are explaining
Demonstrate the crowdbreaker whenever possible rather
than just describing it verbally. A picture paints a thousand
words, and could save you that many in your explanation of
a game.
WHY DO DISCUSSIONS?
The discussion may be the most difficult 15–30 minutes of the meeting.
Staff usually become skilled at leading games, and public speaking,
before learning to effectively moderate a discussion. A good discussion is
not a series of five questions with obvious answers.
A. INVOLVES THE STUDENTS IN THE TOPIC
Students feel good about themselves when they are able to
contribute and others listen to their ideas. Staff giving genuine
feedback can also encourage a student. When students have the
opportunity to put their rambling thoughts and opinions into words,
it often helps to clarify what they really believe. Discussions
demonstrate our commitment to allow students to decide for
themselves, as opposed to only listening to what we believe is true.
B. ENABLES STAFF TO "WIN THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD"
By listening first, staff discover what students are thinking and earn
the right to share their thoughts later.
C. BUILDS THE CREDIBILITY OF THE GOSPEL
Discussing a felt need of teenagers can lead naturally to a thought
about how Christian principles relate to that topic. The
accumulative effect of the Bible always having something relevant
to say builds credibility for the relevance of a personal relationship
with Christ.
HOW TO LEAD DISCUSSIONS?
A. USE DISCUSSION STARTERS
The discussion starter is the HOOK to get students thinking about the
topic and is the most important part of the Campus Life meeting. If
you find yourself saying, "My kids won't talk," you are probably not
giving them something to talk about. Good starters are creative
(get their attention) and relevant (get them talking). Use a variety of
methods from week to week (keep them guessing):
- Skits
- Role-plays
- Media (T .V./ movie clips, short movie, music video, song
lyrics).
- Initiative games/group experience
- Small Groups
- News items
- Original videos
- Short stories, poems, readings.
- Questionnaire or survey
B. ASK EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS
Avoid questions that are too broad ("what's wrong with the world?”)
or too narrow ("do a lot of students in your school drink?"). If too big,
it’s hard to know how to respond; if too small, the answer is so
obvious it’s not worth a response. Screen your questions by asking
yourself and others, “what are the possible answers?"
The sequence of questions is also important. Start with general
questions to get the topic (including both sides of the story when
appropriate) on the table. Ask the why questions next, to better
understand all sides of the issue, and end with personal questions
allowing for their solutions, or personal choices.
C. LET THEM TALK
The discussion leader's comments should be kept to a minimum.
When asked a question try to redirect it by throwing the question
back to the group. Try to involve as many students as possible and
keep a few students from dominating the discussion. Don't be
shocked by what you hear and do not respond to, correct or put
down a student's opinion. It is the students' time to talk. If you find
yourself wanting to respond, instead ask, "who agrees or disagrees
with that statement,” or “does anyone see any potential problems
with that position?” or the least threatening, “what would those who
disagree with that statement say?”
D. KNOW YOUR SUBJECT
Choose topics well in advance and keep your eyes open for
relevant news items, statistics, quotes, or examples in the media and
popular music. Although the staff are careful not to answer
questions, an occasional juicy fact or example makes them a part
of the discussion and can fuel further discussion.
E. KEEP IT MOVING
A good discussion is usually fast paced, but don't be afraid of short
silences, especially after a heavy discussion starter or a more
personal question. Try to take a question deeper by asking
students:
- For further clarification
- If others agree/disagree and why
- To consider the other side of the issue
- For evidence or proof for their position
Don’t be afraid to move to the next question, when you need to,
even if there are several hands still in the air. Say, “two more
comments.” A good discussion ends with students still wanting to
talk, so cut it off while it is still hot.
F. USE HUMOR WISELY
Appropriate use of humor by staff and students helps keep club
relaxed, informal and fun. The staff needs to resist the temptation of
becoming the center of attention and keep students from
competing to be the funniest in club. Too much humor can make
the discussion fragmented, frivolous and out of control. On the
other hand, too little humor will make a meeting academic and
dry.
G. KEEP CONTROL
Crowd control is often toughest during a good discussion. In
addition to the tips found in the Crowd Control section later in this
section, make the following a regular part of your discussions:
CAMPUS LIFE RULES OF DISCUSSION
Say “Campus Life has only two rules: 1] One person talks
at a time (after raising their hand). 2] You can disagree
with someone's ideas but don't cut on them, (or their
mother, or the way their mother dresses them)”.
“THE FLOOR”
Write the words “THE FLOOR” in large letters on a Nerf
soccer ball. Say, “To help you remember the first rule of
discussion – “one person talks at a time,” - the only person
who may talk is the one who has “the floor” (holding up
the ball). Right now that person is me.” (Pause for
attention) “When you are done speaking you toss it
carefully to the person I select, who right now is _______”
(toss the ball to student). The floor works well only if you
enforce both the careful toss and that no one else talks. It
is also most effective when not over used. Use it to regain
control. Don’t use it every week or even for every
question when you do use it.
HOW WE DO WRAP-UPS
The wrap-up does not try to “summarize” a 30-minute discussion. The
students have had the chance to express their opinions, now you have 610 minutes to share yours. The wrap-up should feel like you have thought
about this topic and have something worthwhile for them to think about.
It should not feel like, “now I’m going to give you the correct answer.”
The wrap-up includes a practical plan of action and a verse or example
from the Bible that teaches a basic Christian principle (i.e. love your
neighbor as your self), or shows the relevance of a relationship with Christ.
Ask yourself if the students have learned something about the person,
works or teachings of Christ.
A. PREPARATION
- Using a monthly theme (i.e. “I’ll Be There for You”) helps publicity
and allows you to develop three or four issues related to the
theme instead of just one. Instead of one meeting on all
relationships, a month on relationships allows you to talk about
peer pressure, friendship, family, and God. The importance of
relationships in our lives is enhanced, and God is addressed as
a natural part of our lives.
- Write it out word for word. Short talks are actually harder than
long talks. In written form, you can more easily edit unclear or
unnecessary sentences. Seeing the words will also help you
begin to learn the wrap-up.
- Always memorize at least the first and last lines. Know where
you are starting and get started immediately without small talk.
This grabs the crowd’s attention and saves valuable time.
Knowing your last line will probably make the action plan, or
major point more memorable to the crowd, because you
made it memorable to yourself.
- Limit notes to the major points on a small note card.
Memorization helps ensure that the wrap-up makes sense to
you, let alone the students. It takes time, but you will gain
confidence and communicate more effectively.
- Practice stories, quotes, jokes and illustrations. Be careful that
they illustrate the wrap-up and don't become the wrap-up.
- When using or referring to a Bible verse or story, recognize that
many students have little Bible knowledge and need a full
explanation. Avoid saying, “We all know what happened…”
- Include an application. Ask yourself "What am I asking them to
do? How can they apply this thought to their life?”
B. PRESENTATION
- Be sure to leave enough time for the wrap-up. It is important!
You don't want to rush it and you don't want students leaving
during it.
- Keep it simple (say one thing loud and clear). Although it is just
one part of the meeting, recognize its importance. You have
the opportunity to share something significant with a group
including non-Christian students.
- Keep it short (6-10 minutes). Occasionally you may do a shorter
discussion to set the stage for a longer wrap-up where the
topic begs for more than just one point (how to have a
relationship with Christ, abstinence, etc…) but this should be
the exception.
- Illustrate with current events, recent articles and media, or a
particularly good comment from the discussion. (Say, “I really
agree with what Dave said about _________.”) When using a
provided curriculum, this will really help “make it your own.”
- Speak as naturally about Christ, or the Bible, as anything else.
The spiritual truth is part of the content not a P.S.
- Handling interruptions during a wrap up – You’ve worked hard
to make a succinct, important, clear point that will almost
always be compromised if you allow a student to interrupt with
a question. Unless it’s relevant and won’t sidetrack your whole
point, say, “let me finish my thought right now, and I’ll answer
that question as soon as I’m done.”
- Usually (unless it detracts from you memorized final line) end
with, “if you want to talk more about this or anything else be
sure to let the staff know, we’d love to get together and talk.”
C. OPPURTUNITIES TO RESPOND TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
Emphasizing the relevance of a relationship with Christ from week to
week naturally leads to using the wrap-up to share the gospel a
couple of times a semester. It should feel natural to say something
like, “If you’ve been to several meetings you know each week we
include a thought on how a relationship with God relates to the
topics we discuss. Some of you may be wondering ‘how do you
start a relationship with God in the first place?’ Three or four times a
year we answer that question.”
"React cards” are probably the best way to discover what students
are thinking. A “react card” should include: Name, space for
comments or questions, four choices for them to indicate their
current relationship with Christ (1. I prayed tonight to begin a
relationship with Jesus. 2. I already have a relationship with Jesus. 3.
I am not ready to begin a relationship with Jesus. 4. I recommitted
myself to really follow Jesus), and a box to check if they want to talk
with staff. With everyone writing something, non-Christians have
time to write their questions, or check a box indicating they prayed
to receive Christ and/or that they'd like to talk further with staff.
Christian students often write revealing statements about their
relationship with Christ or how effective the presentation was from
their perspective. In large clubs it may be effective to ask students
who accept Christ to move to another room for initial follow up.
HOW TO “CONTROL” THE CROWD
Campus Life staff often surprise adults with their ability to have a good
time with teenagers without tearing up the place. How do we do it? Our
secret is a combination of careful planning, a well-run meeting, and an
attitude that allows spontaneity but not anarchy. A high energy, safe, fun
meeting will frequently require crowd control skills.
A. QUALITY "SHOW"
"The best defense is a good offense." Put time and energy into
preparing and presenting a good show, and you'll spend less time
and energy on crowd control. The staff person upfront should be
able to do their part without interruption. Other staff and student
leaders should be prepared to handle props, clean up, turn lights
and media on and off etc.
THE LAW OF MEETING DYNAMICS
Do it, don't tell them what you're going to do!" Don’t explain what is
going to happen and lose the crowd’s interest. Don’t waste words
explaining, rationalizing, or apologizing for what you are about to
do. Dive right in, keep it moving, and create the feeling that they
dare not turn away for a minute or they’ll miss something important.
Throughout the meeting:
Say, "I need two volunteers from each class..."
NOT - "Now we are going to play a really fun game that
you all will really like..."
Say, "What are the issues the key character had to deal
with?"
NOT - "Now it is time to do a discussion and get your
answers to these three questions..."
Say, "Picture this..."
NOT - "Now I'd like to wrap up tonight's meeting with
some of my thoughts to relate the topic to Christian
principles.
B. STAFF TEAM
Staff should sit in the crowd near students that might cause
disruptions. Remind associate staff and student leaders to be part
of the solution instead of part of the problem. Because student
leaders know you best they are actually the most likely to create
disruptions. On the other hand, if they respectfully stay tuned in to
what is going on their friends most likely will follow their example.
C. SURVIVAL TIPS TO KEEP CONTROL
- Stand as close to the students as possible. You should be close
enough to easily kick the foot of the person in the front row.
- Don’t start until you have their attention. If you don’t require
their attention to begin with you will never get their attention.
Don’t talk if students are talking. There may be a few
uncomfortable pauses at first, but a totally out of control club
isn’t particularly comfortable either.
- Make good eye contact. If nervous, or not well prepared you
will find yourself looking over the crowd while trying to
remember what to say next. If relaxed and prepared you will
more naturally make eye contact with different students.
- Be natural, using a normal or slightly louder than normal voice.
If you find yourself shouting over the noise, it’s probably mostly
because you’re shouting.
- Refer to students by name. This makes the tone of club more
relational and we all love to be recognized by name.
D. SURVIVAL TIPS WHEN YOU LOSE CONTROL
As club approaches the point of out of control, (which a good club
will regularly do), there are still effective responses other than yelling
or coming across like an irritated adult authority figure (even if you
are one at the moment).
- Use a long "pause,” then continue talking in a softer voice.
- Casually request their attention. Say, “Hey, listen up everyone”
or “Help me out.” Train student leaders to respectfully
respond when they realize you’re trying to regain control.
- Use a quiet “shhhhhh" which can be strengthened when joined
by a few student leaders.
- If a regular student is causing the disturbance give him/her the
"look" (usually followed by a smile).
- Direct attention to one student (“Patti has a comment and I
want everyone to hear it. Ready…? O.K, Patti” or “That was a
really good point would you please repeat it as soon as every
one is listening”).
- Refer to an area of the room and ask for their attention, which
will usually get everyone else’s too. Say, “As soon as the girls
on the blue couch are with us (pause, continue in quieter
voice), we’ll continue.”
- Single out a student by name, only if you have a relationship
with them and are confident of their positive response. Even
then, use this sparingly, quietly and when they are really
being a major distraction.
- When a student is consistently a crowd control problem, they
need to be confronted one on one outside of club.
Acknowledge the good energy they bring to club, but also
the specific behavior that is unacceptable. Include the fact
that they will have to be asked to not come if they can’t fit in
and be a positive part of the meeting.
STARTING CAMPUS LIFE MEETINGS
THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
WHEN:
Begin as soon as you have enough contacts to make it happen. You
should know 100 students by name and be fairly confident that at least
25 will show up. (As a general rule, for every student that comes to
club, you will know at least two other students who are interested, but
unable to attend for various reasons.) If less than 25 show up,
postpone the Kick Off and schedule a second organizational meeting
a week later, challenging students to bring a friend with them.
WHERE:
Use the home of a student well accepted by the majority of the
student body and that is easy to find. It will help you, for promotional
purposes, to have the first regular meeting, following the Kick Off, back
at the same location.
WHY:
Although you tell students the Organizational meeting isn’t a “real”
meeting, you give them the flavor of a club meeting, while building
enthusiasm for the next week's Kick Off and motivating them to bring
friends. You are battling the assumption that Campus Life is only for a
certain type of student. Make the evening fun and let them see it is
safe to bring anyone.
WHAT:
CROWDBREAKER
One or two of your favorites including a good mixer which lets
them get up and meet other students and feel like they are a
part of the group.
DISCUSSION
Existing Campus Life yearly curriculums include organizational
meetings, which introduce a theme for the year through a
creative discussion. You may also discuss the school, and what
topics would interest their friends.
VIDEO
Show a Campus Life promo video (if available use the previous
year's video and save the new one for the "Kick Off"). Make your
own or use someone else's even if their events and trips are different
than yours. Following the video, emphasize the trips and events you
will be doing and make a flyer of major trips available.
WRAP-UP
Your talk should include a brief description of Campus Life and a
challenge for them to help make it happen.
“Campus Life is really impossible to describe. You really have
to experience it for yourself. Our weekly meetings will include
games, just like tonight, and a discussion of an issue important
to you like: peer pressure, self-image, dating, sex, family, or
friends. Staff will usually share a few thoughts as well.
Everything we do emphasizes having a balanced life:
mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. One thing's for
sure -Campus Life will be the most unique club in your school."
“Here are three ways you can help Campus Life be the best it
can be.
INVITE – How many of you came the first time (or “tonight” if a
new club) because a friend invited you? (Pause for a show of
hands.) It’s true over 90% of the time! Students come the first
time because another student invites them! Even better than
just inviting them, try to actually BRING them with you. It can
be a little scary to walk into a club setting alone the first time.
You can make it much easier if you are with them. And better
yet, when you get here make them feel WELCOME. Don’t
leave them standing in the corner alone and run off to talk to
your friends. Hang with them and introduce them to people if
they don’t know them.”
“Invite, Bring, Welcome. If that’s what it takes, let’s all do it!”
KICK OFF PROMOTION
"Next week is the opportunity for every student at _________High
School to hear about Campus Life at the official Campus Life 'Kick
Off. ' Here's how you can help get as many students as possible
there. (Announce kickoff details.)
POSSIBLE PROMOTIONAL TOOLS:
- Flyers
- Announcements
- Posters
- Tickets - Using tickets gives the Kick Off visibility and helps
students commit to being there. Encourage students to sell
tickets by entering their name in a drawing for every ticket
they sell. On the other hand, tickets could keep some
students away because they think they have to buy one in
advance, or because they don’t have money.
- Informational booth during lunch
- Article in school paper
- Use Technology to get the word out too!
8.5.9.2.
KICK OFF
WHEN:
One week following a successful Organizational meeting.
WHERE:
The same home as the Organizational meeting may work if it is large
enough. For students to really believe you expect a bigger number,
however, and to make it as easy as possible for a new student to
come, it is usually best to move to the school cafeteria, or a popular
local park.
WHY:
To let as many students as possible experience the unique atmosphere
of a Campus Life event and let them know that Campus Life has
begun, and is open to all students.
WHAT:
CROWDBREAKERS/GAMES
The Kickoff is basically a high-energy show with several
crowdbreakers, mixers and skits taking up at least 45 minutes.
Careful preparation and execution is important to make the kickoff
a good experience. Class competition is a good way to build
enthusiasm and encourage participation.
VIDEO
Show a Campus Life promo video and highlight events and trips
planned for this school year.
SAMPLE WRAP-UP
“Hopefully tonight gives you an idea of what Campus Life is all
about. We will do some crazy activities, like tonight, and also give
you a chance to talk about an important issue in your life like: self
image, peer pressure, love, sex, family, or friends. Campus Life also
does incredible trips and events. Through the meetings, trips and
events, our goal is to help you develop a balanced life.
There are four areas to a balanced life: Mental, Physical, Spiritual
and Social. You will be challenged mentally as you express your
opinions and listen to others; You will be challenged physically with
everything from Jel1o bobbing to mountain climbing (or use a
couple of local examples); Since the spiritual area is often the most
ignored, we are not afraid to consider what God has to say about
the topics we discuss; And socially, well, that's what most students
say keeps them coming back.
Campus Life happens from 7:27 to 8:57 each week. I hope you'll
make it a regular part of your schedule and encourage your friends
to check it out too. Be sure to let them know you can't join Campus
Life, just come whenever you can. Next week we start our first series
of the year called ……”
DOOR PRIZES
Use the tickets to give away as many prizes as you can get
donated. (Include a spot for name and phone number on the
tickets to follow up new students. Do not add them to a mail list
until they actually show up at a meeting.) Also draw for the winner
of the ticket sale contest if you did one.
Announce the winning team and let them eat first.
FOOD
Although Campus Life made the "Burger Bash” famous, Pizza is
much easier to plan for, less expensive and better to promote.
Although food is always an asset, consider free food, like a cookie
buffet, as an alternative if you’d rather not charge for your kick-off.
Get key students and supportive parents to donate the cookies.
GENERAL CLUB PREPCHECKLIST
At least Two Weeks in Advance
[ ] Nail down club location
[ ] Recruit adult volunteers (if additional volunteers are needed)
To Do The Week Prior To Club
PROMOTION
[ ] Poster at this week’s club for next week
[ ] Posters up at school
[ ] Announcement to the school at the end of this week
[ ] Contact key kids and encourage them to bring friends
FOOD
[ ] Line up students/parents to bring snacks next week
CLUB PREPARATION
[ ] Check for any preparation that needs to be done before day
of club
[ ] Meet with volunteers and assign (explain) meeting parts
[ ] Line up students if there is a skit that needs to be rehearsed
DAY OF CLUB PROMOTION
[ ] Walkthru at school, (hand out flyers)
[ ] Make sure announcement is in and posters are up at school!
CLUB PREPARATION
[ ] Props, make a list of needed items and make sure you have
them ALL
[ ] Make sure you are well prepared to do your part of the
meeting!!!!!
[ ] Set-up club room
[ ] First timer cards/pencils
[ ] Campus Life brochures, latest student mailing etc.
[ ] Upcoming Trip, Event, Activity information/permission slips
[ ] Campus Life T –Shirts, hats, stickers, etc
PRE-CLUB STAFF MEETING
[ ] Critique last week's club (what can we do better tonight?)
[ ] Go over next week's meeting and assign parts
[ ] Review tonight's meeting
[ ] Pray
[ ] Make sure you're done before kids start arriving
AFTER CLUB
[ ] Intentionally set up RMA's for the week i.e. appointments, small
groups, lunches, etc.
[ ] Props -make sure to take everything you brought.
[ ] Attendance -as soon as possible write down attendance (or
look over your sign in sheet to make sure everyone is on it,
especially new kids).
[ ] Clean up -leave club location as neat and clean or cleaner
than when you arrived.
[ ] Post-Club Building time- arrange with local restaurant to provide
food discounts and a good hang out place.