Programming Tips to help your chapter through out the year

Created and compiled by Stephanie Nichol – HaNegev RYD

Before you begin to work … I want you to STOP!

Stop Think Observe Plan

Ten Keys to Successful Programming Know your target group (s) Know your support staff Have FUN! Anticipate Everything Program for Excitement Be Prepared Balance your method Challenge your participants Know your goals Program for Involvement

The New and Improved Step-By-Step Guide to Programming 1. Goals 2. Brainstorming 3. Planning

4. Analysis 5. Promotion

6. Execution 7. Evaluation

Goals! Every program must begin with the following question: What is the GOAL of the program? Straightforward goals: - Need a fun activity? - Membership? - SATO? - Israel? Thematic goals: - “It’s clean your mezuzah month in HaNegev. Lets do a program where we clean the shul’s mezuzot!” Are the GOALS implicit or explicit? In other words, is it obvious why we’re doing this program or do you have to explain the purpose in the end?

Brainstorming! Brainstorming is where a group of people work together to develop a bunch of plans for a program. They work together to generate many answers to a single question. Namely, “How do I convey my main goals?” Brainstorming is made up of at least two parts: Part one: Everybody offers every idea they have. No idea is considered stupid (at least not yet). ALL members of the group listen. At this stage, nobody comments on anybody else’s suggestions. Part two: Narrowing. The group addresses each section one at a time and comments on the feasibility or appropriateness of each suggestion (the pros and cons). Opinions offered must be given in a respectful manner and must be specific. “this is the worst idea you’ve ever suggested!” is not an acceptable offering. Members of the group must be sensitive to the feelings of others. This is a group process, not a competition. Through this process, the group arrives at one approach or plan for the program.

Planning! What is the actual program? What are the rules? What RESOURCES do I need to execute the program: - Human resources - Materials HUMAN: - what staff do I need to run this program? - What USY’ers/ other leaders do I need to run the program?

- Have I told them specifically what I need them to do? - Do they understand their role? MATERIALS: - what do I want vs. what do I need? - Are my requests reasonable? - Am I maximizing the resources available? - Can I afford it? - How will I get it?

Analysis: Problem solving/ anticipating Is the activity age appropriate? Did I pick the materials I need? Did I break up the groups? What can possibly go wrong? How can I deal with a problem before it happens?

Did I take a safety walk through the activity to see what might be dangerous? How do I minimize the risk? Do I have a back up rain program? Is there anything I might have forgotten?

Promotion *leave at least four weeks for promotion of the program! Promo 1- MAILING: send out a mailing to all members of the chapter. This is designed to entice them and get them interested in the program. Give them the date so they can plan for it ahead of time. Promo 2- FLYER/ Facebook Event: create a flyer/ fb event with ALL relevant info. Include the date, time, place, enticing blurb, and any special items one might need to bring. Hang the flyer in appropriate places where it will get seen and post reminders on FB page. Promo 3- PHONE: make the first phone call 2-3 weeks prior to the program. This call is designed to make the USYer aware of the program, pique their interest, inform them of the basics, and allow them to ask questions. Promo 4- PHONE: this is the follow up phone call designed to remind USYers about the program and allow them to ask any last minute questions. Make this call about a week prior to the event. Promo 5- EMAIL: not generally the best way to contact people because not everyone checks their email regularly. However, it never hurts to drop a simple reminder in someone’s in box.

Execution!! Set up- arrive early so you can help prepare Materials- make sure everything is there and ready to be used Collect any money that needs to be gathered Program- help make sure the program runs as smoothly as possible *Remember you are there to help, not take control! Crowd control- travel throughout the room Work to make new people feel invited and welcome Try and break up cliques Clean up- nobody likes it, but its important!

Evaluation!  What went well?  What needs improvement?  Did I accomplish my goals?  Did people learn what they needed to learn?  Did people have a good time?

 Were problems dealt with well?  Is this program worth doing again?  Is it worth telling others about?

Always emphasize the positive elements of a program first, and make sure to finish up by re-emphasizing the positive. Recognize the individual and group achievements. See what worked well and what did not. Don’t go around pointing fingers at people, but rather try to find ways to improve the program in the future!

The Key to Successful Preplanning is Answering all the Questions Who? Who is planning this program?______________________________________________________________ Is there anyone assisting with planning?______________________________________________________ Who is invited to the program?_____________________________________________________________

What? What is the name of this program?__________________________________________________________ What type of program is it?________________________________________________________________ What materials are necessary for this program?________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ What generally is going to occur at this program?_______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

When? When is the date? ______________________________________________________________________ When is the time?_______________________________________________________________________ *Make sure this date and time does not conflict with any Jewish Holidays or Regional Events

Where? Where will the program be held?____________________________________________________________

Why? Why are you having this program – what would you like participants to get out of this program? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

How? How will transportation be provided, if necessary?______________________________________________ How much will you charge for this program?___________________________________________________ How will this program be publicized?_________________________________________________________

Adapted from Seaboard USY

Program Guide Sheet Area: _______________ Submitted/Created by: ___________________Length of program: __________ Overview / Summary of Program: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Supplies Needed : ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Step by Step instructions (be specific): 1. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Special Notes to make the program successful: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Attach the nuts and bolts of the program here 

How do we make programs the best they can be? By using all of our ingredients of course!

Fresh out of the oven…. HaNegev Cupcake Awards! Each month we will be sampling a new flavor cupcake and sharing them with the entire region. The most delicious programs will be featured on the HaNegev website and will receive the Cupcake Award for that month.

September

Social

October

Israel

January

February

Dive-back-in

Religion

November

Education March

SA/TO

December

Joint USY/Kadima April

Social

Please submit your recipes by the 20th of each month to [email protected] *Baked with love by Emily Swerdloff, HaNegev Membership/Kadima VP