Youth Ministers Gathering November 12, 2020 via Zoom A. Opening Prayer – We offered up petitions and asked Saints around the world to pray for us. (See below) B. Game – “Drawer Dash” – since the Drawer Memory game went so well last time… (doesn’t have to be from a drawer though) - Basically, a scavenger hunt, mixed with introductions and getting to know you. You have ten seconds to go find and bring back the following; when back – hit one of the “reactions” on the screen. (I had each of these typed large to show on the screen, see below): Something that keeps you busy Something that makes you smile Something of your favorite color Something that was given to you (skipped) Something you made (skipped) Something that reminds you of God’s presence (feel free to add your own, especially any that might connect to the theme or topic of the meeting/lesson/prayer) We then shared our name, parish/site and what we found and why. C. DYunC Feedback – anyone use elements? If so, which did you like? I was told that a parish is sending it out next week… others have used elements within other activities (and will be using it for weeks to come.) There is a LOT of good stuff; will take time to use it all. Played the playlist while the teens were doing an activity. Liked seeing the teens in videos (YES, thanks to the adults that recruited and worked with the teens, they were a great addition!) Forwarded to teens, but not heard any feedback. No one did Favorite Saint challenge… but people have viewed the website, Facebook page, and links to videos posted on other social media. Thanks, again, to all who contributed and to all who shared. We will leave the website up at least till the new year. D. Fundraisers during pandemic – We broke into small groups for just 5 minutes to brainstorm. We returned to the large group and everyone typed ideas into the chat box, while a few people explained some of the ideas. Cindee also has some ideas listed on an online spinning wheel that you can customize to use, https://pickerwheel.com/ Ideas (in random order): virtual trivia night virtual reverse raffle trunk sale virtual family game night virtual silent auction candy sale virtual basket raffle virtual cow chip BINGO popcorn sale pepperoni roll sale drive-thru pasta sale drive-thru soup sale drive-thru sausage sandwich sales general appeal sell seasonal items Food truck night at the parish (great if you have restaurant owners/truck owners at the parish!) Direct sales books – Ave Maria Press offering online order, direct ship Direct sales t-shirts – can be done with Custom Ink Virtual events – i.e. Have concert, speaker or party online – sell tickets Restaurant night – many do take-out option – Group Raise is one organizing company Walk/run/bike/dance or any a-thon – everyone gets sponsors - do from home (can also have virtual element, at least for a kick off or finish line, if not whole time) Virtual painting or craft night (decide ahead if you supply kits or send shopping list a week ahead and charge accordingly) Sell temporary yard decorations (used to be flamingo flocking, but be creative and see if someone at the parish can make easily movable Nativity or Advent wreath, or hearts for Valentine’s day – people pay to send to a yard… then you can also sell “Insurance” to the home-owners to donate if they don’t want them item/s in the yard!) “Boo Bags” of candy/toys purchased and dropped at someone’s house; painted pumpkins, too (whatever you decide to sell, make sure you have volunteers ready to make and deliver them – don’t do it all alone!) Sign up for "Amazon Smiles" (Note: remember to follow whatever the current safety protocols are in place for Ohio and your county... wear-masks, keep six-feet or more distance when possible... lots of hand and surface washing... and clean gloves when serving/preparing food/exchanging items!) E. Fr. Scott Kopp – Office of Vocations Posters and prayers cards just arrived in the office, so will be distributed to parishes, schools and institutions soon. Currently, there are 6 seminarians on internships. Fr. Kopp began at the diocese in February, and is available to talk with you or young people discerning/interested in exploring their call to holiness. Is a resource to support your local and on-going efforts. Do not think just of a “Vocations Event” but in terms of relationship building. Look to see which young people hang around more often or volunteers for everything. They are likely searching! The Facebook page has videos of seminarians – feel free to share with teens/families: https://www.facebook.com/doyvocations as well as encourage reading of the Exponent articles. You can contact the seminarians directly to invite them to be part of panel discussions, youth ministry events, etc. Most seminary visits (Come and Sees) are for high school and older, what about younger inquiries? Fr. Kopp offered the following suggestions: listen to them, affirm them, invite them to be connect to more opportunities at the parish/school. Ask them “What are you doing? What can you do more?” i.e. going to Mass every weekend and Holy Day? See if can add a daily Mass each week? Increase their prayer times each day. Thank God daily for 3-5 things. Create a culture of vocations at the parish (hang the posters, share the prayer cards, talk about calling.) Closed with a vocations prayer and blessing by Fr. Kopp. --------- Post meeting notes: 1. Several people staying online to discuss what changes might be coming for Ohio in regards to the COVID-19 protocols. As of today, nothing has changed. Gov. DeWine reinforced information in current health orders and implored everyone to be even more mindful of the safety steps. It is possible that some restrictions or shut-downs might come next week. Keep up with the information from the state and your county/area Department of Health. Know your local community. What is the spread level? What is the comfort level? What do parents/families want or need and how can we be of service while also being cautious and smart? Remind teens and their parents NOT to participate in-person for programs, services, or Mass if they have symptoms or have been in contact with someone positive in the past two weeks. The Diocesan Guidelines are the same since August, unless/until the Ohio Bishops and/or the Ohio Health Department changes mandates and orders. 2. We did not have time to discuss alternatives to the March for Life – which may have been the Holy Spirit urging us to be patient. However, in case your parish community is considering ideas for the January 29th March for Life Day (Friday) or the weekend before or after: a. Dave Schmidt shared many of the events that are going VIRTUAL on the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st…. can invite folks to tap into those. (If you did not receive that email from the Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family, let me know and I will forward it along.) b. Plenty of online resources available, such as: US Bishops sites: https://www.usccb.org/prolife https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/life-and-dignity-of-the-human-person https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/upload/cst-101-life-and-dignity-human-person-discussion-guide.pdf (Prepared session by CRS) Blessed Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas…. Next YM Gathering will be a virtual Epiphany Party: Wednesday, January 6 at 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 Noon Bring your own beverage and something that expresses what made your Christmas season special this year.
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I created a handout for a Youth Ministry Gathering a decade ago that has been shared upon request and with NCYC Group Leader meeting attendees. I thought I should 'dust it off' and re-check website links before the Inaugural Lunch and Learn Session next Thursday (12-12-13) wherein we will be discussing Record-keeping and Budgets. Feel free to add your tips and ideas in the COMMENTS below. FUNDRAISING CONSIDERATIONS - Check to make sure your idea is not already a big fundraiser for another parish/school group or organization. If you duplicate fundraisers, not only may you run the risk of not being as successful as you hope, you may create a negative relationship with the other club or group! - Advertise, advertise, advertise! For many fundraisers, you will want support not only from your parishioners, but also from the larger community! - Organize more volunteers than you think you will need. Good customer service is always appreciated, and that cannot be given if there are too few volunteers! - Set a goal based on a specific trip or event, or for the entire ministry year. Monitor that goal in a location that parishioners can see. After the fundraiser, publish the results (parish bulletin, city paper, etc.) and thank the supporters. - Safety should be goal #1—if selling ideas door to door or at a public location, remind the students to have an adult present and to never go it alone. Be cautious in dark areas and never carry a large amount of money. Also, use caution when lifting/moving heavy boxes of supplies. - It is best to have checks made out to your Church/group account rather than in the name of a person, whenever possible. This also allows the 5019(c )(3) to offer a receipt to donors for tax purposes, which may increase your donations! - Fundraisers provide a lot more than just money as a benefit--- they also provide opportunities for leadership development, building communication skills, community building, financial experience and event planning practice! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FUNDRAISING COMPANIES/PRODUCTS: (These are provided for informational purposes only. No endorsement is implied or given for any of these companies.) www.justcatholic.com www.fundraisers.com www.abcfundraising.com www.justfundraising.com or call 1-888-440-4114 www.profitpotentials.com or call 1-800-543-5480 www.school-fundraisers.com or call 1-866-327-7900 www.activeteamfundraising.com or call 1-866-698-3267 http://allstar1.com/ or call 1-800-642-4766 www.resourcefundraising.com or call 1-800-642-0780 www.longaberger.com/cindeecase (or contact any direct-sales consultant to inquire about fund-raising options; often the consultant donates a portion of her/his profits to your group.) http://www.fundraising.com/ or call 1-800-443-5353 http://www.easy-fundraising-ideas.com/ or call 1-866-874-8383 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FUNDRAISER IDEAS: ITEMS TO SELL: --Candy/lollipops --Holiday wreaths or ornaments --Candles --Christmas cards --Doughnuts --Pizzas --Cookies or cookie dough --Tickets to sporting events or amusement parks --Phone cards --Huge garage sale with parishioner donations --Magazines --Community discount cards or coupon books --Ad space in a program book --Statues or religious icons --Cheesecakes --Flower bulbs --T-shirts --Cookbooks --Raffle tickets for great/donated prizes --Rummage sale SERVICES TO SELL: --Windshield wash --Carwash --Babysitting during holiday shopping season --Lawn work --House cleaning --Spaghetti dinner --Pancake breakfast --Hold talent show, charge admission fee --Sponsor a “coffee house” complete with beverage varieties and entertainment --Ice cream social --Chili Cook Off Contest A-THONS: (get sponsors) --Walk-a-thon --Rock-a-thon --Dance-a-thon --Bowl-a-thon --Jump-a-thon --Swim-a-thon --Silent Prayer-a-thon OTHER IDEAS --Hold a reverse raffle --Burger King, Chili’s, Beef O’Brady’s or other restaurant incentive nights --Collect cell phones to recycle for money --Take Stock in our Youth --Golf or Tennis tournament --Kidnap the Pastor (ask for ransom from parishioners) --Silent auctions --Fun Runs (or walk, or bicycle trips)—pay to play --“Sponsor a Teen” program --Spare Change collections after Masses or a Penny Drive --Annual second collection envelop --Involve a Direct Selling Consultant who will donate sales commissions from a show (like Longaberger, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Tupperware, etc.) --Grant-writing—sure it takes some work, but there is a lot of money waiting! --Online appeal via Facebook or other social media Cindee Case, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of Youngstown, July 2003, 2013rev. |
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
July 2021
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