Party Plans for Volunteer Appreciation

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to plan a party!  As embarrassing as it is to say, I even spent 5 or 6 months planning my own 50th birthday party just because I love the process of picking a theme and figuring out all kinds of activities, decorations, invitations, and food that fit that theme.  One of the ways this "hobby" of mine exhibits itself in my ministry is planning a Teacher Appreciation Event.  Before one is over, I'm already working on the next one.  That's the funny thing about ideas.... they feed off of each other and create synergy. 

I've also been amazed at what happens when a team of people get together to brainstorm that theme.  Wow, it's so fun to watch the ideas develop and explode as they feed off each other! 

This post is not to give you in depth details about one particular theme, but little snippets of themes that might get YOUR creative juices flowing.

1.  Football theme:  Kicking off the new year.  Great for the beginning of a ministry year in the fall.  Just imagine that you're throwing a super bowl party... football finger foods, sandwiches, etc.  Put the teachers in TEAMS and have them create CHEERS to yell at each other.  Have your staff stand in 2 rows at the door with pom poms and CHEER when the volunteers come through the door. 

2.  Gardening Theme:  So many passages of Scripture to draw from.  (Psalm 1; Fruit of the Spirit;  Parable of the Sower and the Seeds, etc.)  Watering cans, shovels, gloves, packets of seeds, etc. Have a gardening expert come in and talk about weeds, pests, soil, etc., then you can relate that back to Children's Ministry.  Drawings or giveaways such as Gardening supplies, bird feeders, pampering products for AFTER  you've been gardening, or even a gift card to OLIVE GARDEN, get it?  And how about DIRT CUPS for dessert!

3.  Lighthouse Theme:  Look for unfinished wooden lighthouses to use as centerpieces.  This theme can be expanded to include seashells, sand, fishnets, and other nautical goodies.  How about serving shrimp scampi or crab salad? I love this theme because it reminds me that we are not the light (Jesus is), but we are just the conduits for that light. 

4.  Hollywood/ "You're A Star" Theme:  Roll out the red carpet and line the carpet with paparazzi to show your volunteers how celebrated they are! Dim the lights, shine an image of the Hollywood Sign or the Hollywood skyline up on the screen, and eat Cobb Salad, which originated in the mid 1930's at the famous "Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant."  Present your volunteers with miniature "oscars" for various rolls they have played, such as "Best Supporting Teacher"  "Most Diapers Changed,"  etc.  Line the floor with each teacher's name on their own STAR! Give every volunteer a Movie Theater Ticket as a thank you gift!



 

5.  "Sundae on Friday"  Spoil your volunteers with a decadent evening of fun and sweets.  Not just another luncheon, but an evening with their spouses and children included (after all... they are already giving your church many hours of their free time away from their family, so how about including those special people in their lives at your gathering).  Set up a colorful candy and sugar filled ice cream sundae bar, and add some coffee or hot tea and just relax together and laugh.  Add a few table games that help build team camaraderie and you'll have an easy but memorable night!



6.  Pampering Party:  If you have a relatively small number of volunteers that you want to honor and recognize, a spa/ pampering day would be the ultimate "thank you!"  Line up mini chair-massages, manicures, makeup consultants, etc.  You can often find beauty school students who will come to your event for free because they need the practice hours.  Be sure to contact them early. 




7.  Superhero Theme!  Especially if you have a lot of men volunteers in your ministry (which I hope all of you do!) it's a good idea to try to find a theme that isn't too "girly."   This one fits that requirement quite well!  Have your staff dress up like superheros (or at least capes and masks!) and decorate your entry way and walls with bright colors and the words "Bam"  "Pow"  "Wham!"  Centerpieces of sparkly stars or neon lights remind your team that they are "out of this world!" Remind your team that every superhero had a sidekick/ partner and the importance of building on and celebrating each others' strengths as you defeat the enemy for the cause of winning children to Christ!  POW!!  

Some overall reminders for planning something special for your volunteers

• Don't try to do everything yourself. If you don't have a staff, or some type of steering committee, then ask parents to help you.  Afterall, these volunteers are ministering to THEIR CHILDREN, so they will be more than happy to help you!

• Plan great food including a yummy dessert!
• Make it SHORT!  These volunteers already give you a lot of their time, and don't need another long meeting at church.
• Make it FUN!  No business or training!
• Do it regularly!  Make it a regular part of your budget and calendar.  (Once or twice a year)
• Provide childcare.  It doesn't feel like you are appreciating them if they have to arrange for their own babysitting!
• Don't forget your behind the scene helpers.... like your check in team, those who help clean or organize your resource room, or prepare your curriculum. 
• Plan for some time of interactive game or icebreaker to get your volunteers interacting with each other.  Each volunteer serves in an individual class or area of your ministry and usually don't get to visit and fellowship with each other, so this is a great time for them to mingle and let their hair down with each other!