MANUAL Revised 10/2014 The materials compiled in this folder have been gathered with the intention of helping you consider a Christian Leadership Conference, CLC, for your YMCA. These pages will give you some organizational information. If this is something you are considering, your next step is to attend a CLC along with potential members of your planning committee. The next CLC Directors’ Training will be in November 2014. Attending these are requirements for all potential CLC Directors and optional for planning committee members. The final step in beginning a conference is to contact me so we can talk about your application process. Applications are due November 1 every year. Please call upon me with any questions you may have. In Service for Him, Terra Lynn Dearth, Director YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences And Rag/Leather Programs 2 YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences History The Nancy and Ken Walker Family is a Long Beach, California family that has been involved with the YMCA of Greater Long Beach for six generations. They have been active in YMCA programs as participants as well as in leadership roles. In 1973 Howard, son of Nancy and Ken, tragically lost his life in a construction accident at the age of 22 years. In memory of Howard, Nancy and Ken began a living memorial. Together with leaders from the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Nancy and Ken agreed to sponsor the first YMCA Christian Leadership Conference (CLC) at YMCA Camp Oakes in 1974. The initial CLC was designed for resident camp leaders to receive more instruction on how to put character and Christian emphasis into their lives. Sessions were given on devotions, chapel, the YMCA Rag/Leather Program, songs, stories and campfire. The R. Howard Walker Foundation was formed on June 4, 1975 to help support CLC’s. On July 2, 1982 the name of the Foundation was changed to include C.J. and Carrie D. Walker. Today the name of the Foundation is the C.J., Carrie D. and R. Howard Walker Foundation. More than thirty years later this training tool has occurred in locations throughout the nation. Today there are CLC’s providing training targeting all volunteer and paid YMCA leaders. Session topics vary from CLC to CLC but universally address how to put Christian emphasis into all of the programs the YMCA’s offer today. To date there have been CLC’s in more than 50 different locations throughout the U.S. where over 50,000 people have been trained in this effort. These people in turn have worked with and affected over 5,000,000 lives! Purpose The purpose of the YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences is to prepare each participant to better develop: - A strong doctrine A healthy manner of life A purpose of life Faith Charity Patience and humility 3 YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences This is what a CLC is: • • • • An enhancement to staff training that covers how to put character and Christian emphasis into YMCA programs. A special opportunity for volunteer and staff leaders (Full time, part time and seasonal) in all YMCA’s throughout the U.S. A privilege given by the Walker Foundation. An opportunity for staff and YMCA volunteers to discuss faith and their work at the YMCA. This is what a CLC isn’t: • • • Staff training. A requirement for staff or volunteers to attend. A weekend for camp to fill and make money. Step by step how to organize a CLC 1. Establish your individual and collective goals and how you will obtain them. 2. Marketing strategies 3. Budget development 4. Who to invite 5. Sessions 6. Outline required sessions. (samples) 7. Evaluation form 8. Thank you note 4 YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences Sample Planning Meeting #1 Opening Prayer Introductions Goals and Objectives of CLC Theme Bible Verse Session Topics with bullet points to have speakers cover Keynote Speaker Possibilities Speaker Possibilities Entertainment Possibilities 12:00 Lunch Areas of Responsibility - Conference design for letterhead, t-shirts, brochures - Rag Ceremonies - Chapel Saturday and Sunday - Friday Night Warm Up Activities - Saturday Morning Group Builder - Transportation - Decorations - Registration - Swap Shop - Night Patrol - Material Sales - Emcee - Music - Grab Bag - Campfire - Meal prayers and graces or songs - Cabin Clean-Up Sunday - Hip Pockets - YMCA Rag/Leather Program and Re-Dedication Ceremony - Name Tags / Folder Labels - Group Builder for traveling to CLC - Housing - Small Group Leader training - Sign up sheets for sessions, housing, etc. - Last day give aways for leaders 2:00 Meeting adjourned 5 YMCA Christian Leadership Conference Information Available Additional information available on Google Docs: (This list grows with your samples that are sent!) Branch leader job description Campfire outline - sample Chapel outline - sample Character Counts bag list Christian Emphasis activities – Bruce Boyer CLC agendas CLC announcements to be made CLC areas of responsibilities list CLC guidelines CLC recognition list Developmental Assets Emergency bible verses Final evaluation Group building activities House Rules Invitation letter to CLC by CEO- sample Jelly bean prayer Ken Walker’s interactive prayer Facilitator outline Materials for director to bring to CLC Planning meeting agendas - sample Participant job description Registration form - sample Session topics – accumulative of all CLC’s Session leader confirmation letter Small group leader outline Taking your CLC to the next level – Bruce Boyer Travel activities - samples Invitation to an outsider letter What to bring to CLC list 6 YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences In order to receive funding from the C.J., Carrie D. and R. Howard Walker Foundation these items are required in each CLC: Application - Complete application packet and sent no later than November 1. No exceptions. The CLC director has to attend a CLC in the prior year to directing one. The CLC director has to attend the CLC Directors’ Training. Each conference will be named YMCA Christian Leadership Conference. All CLC’s will be Friday evening to Sunday events. Funding guidelines - - Administrative costs not to be passed on to the Foundation are leadership time and their costs incurred e.g. mileage and meals. An attending YMCA can support these. The Foundation will sponsor speaker fees / entertainment costs of no more than $250. total. In house speakers / entertainment and private funding can be utilized for over this amount. You might solicit your YMCA Board of Directors, Christian emphasis committee and a particular donor for their support. T-shirts should be a maximum of $8. per shirt. This includes artwork and screens. Awards, prizes and pictures are not acceptable expenses. Participant fees should be $20. -$35. per person. This fee should act as a minimum buy-in only, not as a deterrent to participants. The Foundation does not want anyone turned away! Transportation costs (e.g. buses, speaker, planning committee members, directors’ mileage) should not be passed on to participants or the Foundation. Extra nights before or after the conference are not acceptable expenses. Program fees (e.g. climbing wall, ropes course, etc.) are not acceptable expenses. 7 Program items - Sessions are to instruct on the purpose. Caution is to be used in not using sessions that should be kept in staff training. This will forfeit funding. Chapels shall be offered on both days and how to put on a chapel will be covered. Graces and prayers are to be given at all meals. A session on the “C” in the YMCA will be offered. Christian songs will be sung and taught. CLC will cover how to put Christianity into all YMCA activities. A session on the traditional YMCA Rag/Leather Program will be offered. Keep the Christian Leadership Conference and Rag/Leather Director informed At least once per month via e-mail. This can forfeit funding if not done. Any CLC cancelled within two months prior to approved date will not receive any payment. If participant numbers are not as anticipated at this time, a conversation needs to take place in order for the director to assess whether the CLC should proceed, cancelled, ways to reduce expenses. Marketing items - - Market to YMCA's / camps using the next closest CLC's as boundaries. At least one mailer to the appropriate YMCA professionals within this area is required. Copies are to be sent to Terra Lynn via e-mail or funding can be forfeited. Donations need to be utilized whenever possible. This can be financial, materials and or sponsorship by an individual or group toward a specific item. YMCA's participating in the CLC can donate printing, telephone usage. This helps build a strong CLC support base. The Walker Foundation will not pay for children or non-participating spouses. All CLC directors will travel to at least one other CLC to act as a representative of the Walker Foundation every year unless the director has been given an exemption by Terra Lynn. This will provide different ideas on CLC's, new resources for their CLC and give them an opportunity to network. 8 Best Practices for a successful CLC: - Market your CLC at your area’s camp cluster, camp directors’ meetings and YMCA events. Remember, people are traveling up to ten hours to attend a CLC. Keep site fees at a no-profit level. The end result to the sites are better-trained leaders. Different meal packages can also help keep these site costs down to the Foundation. Secure supplies you need from local companies and the YMCA branches you serve. This helps to build a strong support base of the CLC. Consider dividing responsibilities so that the site or camp director handles the administrative end and a program director coordinates the program areas. Delegate as much as possible to the planning committee members. This helps strengthen the CLC base. Procure the help of the CEO's of the YMCA's represented at your CLC by asking and encouraging them to become involved as members of the planning committee, to act as speakers and assist with the actual weekend. Planning of a CLC works best by having at least one representative from all YMCA’s that will be attending. A CLC should not be planned only by the director’s or host YMCA’s staff. Get potential planning committee members to attend a CLC prior to helping host one. This builds a stronger support base for you! Offer sessions on how to conduct graces, devotions and chapels. Utilize a marketing campaign that includes follow-up phone calls to target YMCA professionals. Have YMCA’s pre-register and pre-pay. 9 YMCA Christian Leadership Conference Time Line November: - All CLC directors to have planning meeting #1. December: - Spring CLC directors to have planning meeting #2. The Director writes to CEO’s to confirm CLC budget approval and thank them for their support in sending their staff and volunteers to CLC. Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. January: - - - Director notifies all CLC Directors of Walker Foundation support for the coming year. Spring CLC directors to have planning meeting #3. Director orders bibles, bible stamps and C in the YMCA books to be sent to you. Let the receiving end know so materials are not refused. If the participant numbers get changed or cancelled let the Director know A.S.A.P. Materials can still be sent to arrive on time if arrangements are made with the Director 1.5 weeks prior to your CLC. Your help with this is important...shipping is very costly! CLC directors need to confirm materials on hand and addresses for mailing. Let the Director know which CLC’s you can attend that fit into your schedule, preferably one you have not been to before. CLC directors must represent the Foundation at one other CLC or funding will be forfeited. Schedule set by end of January. Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. February: - Spring CLC Directors to mail letters to regional YMCA publications and YMCA training event coordinators regarding CLC dates and contact information. Walker Foundation Visitors' arrangements begin being made. If there is a chance that you may be canceling your CLC, please let the Director know as flights are non re-fundable! Spring CLC Directors to have planning meeting #4. Remember if you think your CLC will need to be cancelled or will not have the anticipated number of participants, call the Director. If you cancel or your CLC gets cancelled within 8 weeks of the date the Foundation will not pay! Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. 10 March: - Spring CLC Directors to send mailing regarding their CLC to target population. Coordinate efforts with next closest CLC Directors. Spring CLC Directors to have planning meeting #5. Fall CLC directors to have planning meeting #1. Spring Walker Foundation Representatives travel arrangements finalized. Written confirmation to be sent to CLC Directors by the Director. Spring CLC directors to e-mail copies of CLC agenda to Walker Foundation Representative. (Mail 60 days prior to CLC) First spring CLC's begin. Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. April: - Spring CLC Directors to continue to market to their CLC to target population. Spring CLC Directors to have planning meeting #6. Spring CLC Visitor to contact spring CLC directors. CLC Director to contact spring visitor. Fall CLC directors to have planning meeting #2. Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. May: - Fall CLC directors to have planning meeting #3. Fall CLC directors to mail letters to regional YMCA publications and YMCA training event coordinators regarding CLC dates and contact information. Many people who attend a spring CLC may send another group of leaders to the fall CLC. Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. June: - - Spring CLC planning comittees wrap-up and evaluate CLC's. Evaluations, final budgets and questionnaire need to be sent to the Director A.S.A.P. via E-mail. REMEMBER: Receipts required for all expenses you request reimbursement for. Make this process as quick as possible for our YMCA’s and vendors' sakes! Fall CLC directors to have planning meeting #4. Fall CLC directors to send mailing regarding their CLC to target population. Coordinate efforts with next closest CLC Directors. Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. 11 July: - Fall CLC directors to have planning meeting #5. Fall CLC directors begin to make follow-up phone calls with people on mailers. Prepaid pre-registration should occur any time between now and the Fall CLC's. Fall Walker Foundation Representatives travel arrangements finalized. Representative to contact Fall CLC Directors. If there is a chance that you may be canceling your CLC, please let the Director know as flights are non re-fundable! Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. August: - - Fall CLC directors to e-mail copies of CLC agenda to Walker Foundation Representative. Fall CLC Directors to have planning meeting #6. Bible stamps to be sent by the Director. Let your receiving people know so materials are not refused. If the participant numbers get changed or cancelled let Terra Lynn know A.S.A.P. Materials can still be sent to arrive on time if arrangements are made with Terra Lynn 1.5 weeks prior to your CLC. Your help with this is important...shipping is very costly! Remember if you think your CLC will cancelled or will not have the anticipated Number of participants, call the Director. If you cancel or your CLC gets Cancelled within 8 weeks of the date and the Foundation will not pay! Fall CLC directors to make follow-up phone calls with people on mailers. Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. September: - Fall CLC's begin. Mandatory: E-mail the Director all planning meeting notes, fliers, etc. October: - - Fall CLC planning committees begin to wrap-up and evaluate CLC's. Evaluations including numbers of people attending and affected, materials left over, final budgets and questionnaires need to be sent to the Director A.S.A.P. via e-mail. REMEMBER: Receipts required for all expenses you request reimbursement for. Make this process as quick as possible for our YMCA and vendors' sake! The Director to mail next year's CLC application. November: - 1 - Next year's CLC application due. 12 Sample Schedule YMCA of Greater Long Beach Camp Oakes Christian Leadership Conference May 18-20, 2001 "Celebrate!" TIME Friday 6:00-10:00 pm 7:00-10:00 pm 10:15 pm 10:45 pm 12:00 am Saturday 7:15 am 7:45 am 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 11:15 am 11:45 am 12:00 am 1:30 pm ACTIVITY Registration Salad and Desert Buffet Resources Available Welcome / Opening Ice Breakers in large group Small Group Orientation Lights out / Quiet Time Rag Program Re-Dedication Set-up for Breakfast Meet at the Dining Hall Door (Hip Pockets by BT) Breakfast Small Group Leaders' Meeting Chapel Keynote Speaker Group Building Meet in Small Groups Meet at the Dining Hall Door (Hip Pockets by BT) Lunch Branch Time WHERE Dining Hall Dining Hall Dining Hall Dining Hall Lounge Lake Point Dining Hall Lounge Chapel Dining Hall Dining Hall Dining Hall Dining Hall Dining Hall 13 Sample Schedule YMCA of Greater Long Beach Camp Oakes Christian Leadership Conference May 18-20, 2001 "Celebrate!" TIME Saturday cont'd. 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:15 pm 5:30 pm 6:15 pm 7:00 pm 9:00 pm 10:00 pm 11:00 pm 12:00 am ACTIVITY WHERE Individual Choice Sessions #1 Check Dining Hall Celebrate...the C in Celebrate Celebrate...Leadership Celebrate...Children the future leaders Celebrate...Achieving your goals Celebrate...Unity, staff differences and Similarities Celebrate...Power of Prayer Celebrate...Chaos! Meet in Small Groups Individual Choice Sessions #2 Check Dining Hall Celebrate...the C in Celebrate Celebrate...Leadership Celebrate...Children the future leaders Celebrate...Achieving your goals Celebrate...Unity, staff differences and Similarities Celebrate...Power of Prayer Celebrate...Chaos! Meet in Small Groups Set-Up for Dinner Meet at the Dining Hall Door (Hip Pockets by BT) Dinner Dining Hall Y Branch Time Campfire Campfire Circle In Christ Concert Dining Hall Star Gazing Observatory Resources Available Dining Hall Quiet in Dorms Dorms / Cabins Lights out 14 Sample Schedule YMCA of Greater Long Beach Camp Oakes Christian Leadership Conference May 18-20, 2001 "Celebrate!" TIME Sunday 7:45 am 8:00 am 9:00 am 9:45 am 10:45 am 11:30-12:00 pm 11:45 pm 12:00 pm 12:45 pm ACTIVITY WHERE Set-Up for Breakfast Dining Hall Meet at the Dining Hall Door (Hip Pockets by BT) Breakfast Dining Hall Chapel Chapel Individual Choice Session #3 Check Dining Hall Celebrate...the C in Celebrate Celebrate...Leadership Celebrate...Children the future leaders Celebrate...Unity, staff differences and Similarities Celebrate...Power of Prayer Celebrate...the Day! Celebrate...Character in Crafts Wrap up Small Groups Y Branch Time / Wrap-up / Evaluations How do we apply this experience at home? Lunch Set-Up Meet at the Dining Hall Door (Hip Pockets by BT) Lunch Dining Hall Cabin clean-up awardClosing Remarks / Adjournment Please Clean Up and Drive Safely! 15 Sample Themes Spirit: Chapels Prayer Bible usage Graces Christian emphasis in our Y programs Mind: YMCA mission Character Counts Program with a Christian twist Singing - Chapel - Campfire - Graces Body: Games - Large group - Hip pockets - Icebreakers Please address all correspondence to: Terra Lynn Dearth, Director Christian Leadership Conferences and Rag/Leather Programs 17130 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92504 terra.lynn.dearth@lbymca.org 951-780-1168 voice 951-346-3555 fax 16
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