Kickoff Ideas from Oshkosh!

Vonnie Lutz shares the following kickoff ideas...thanks Vonnie!

During the summer, our women's leadership team meets for a "marathon" meeting. This can last up to 6 hours so we set aside an entire day, an evening & morning (with a fun sleepover), or one very long evening meeting. By the end of this meeting, we've set a tentative schedule for at least 8 monthly outreach events (OASIS-like), monthly leadership team meetings, selected offering projects for each month, planned our annual Craft Show fundraiser, and planned the kick off event (usually held in August) in detail. Of course, we also have lots of fun and brainstorming along the way -- and good food!

The key to helping us carry out all of our plans, though, is to assign two team members to each event. (We pair inexperienced members with more experienced ones.) The pair is responsible for researching ideas for their event, including theme, decorations, food, program, helpers, etc. They present one or two suggestions to the rest of the team at the leadership team meeting prior to their event. Then the rest of the team helps to "flesh out" the ideas and shares responsibilities to carry it out. Having the ideas at the beginning of the meeting really helps to save planning time for the team. It also gives everyone a chance to suggest ideas they would like.

These photos were taken at a western-themed event we hosted called "Spur One Another On." A local gal does a hilarious impersonation of Dolly Parton and was a sensation! We had also included a time of line dancing to Christian music, races on stick horses, and a western barbecue. Of course, we also included a short devotional on Hebrews 10:24. Cowboy boots, saddles, etc. were used as decorations and women were encouraged to wear their western outfits. Great fun!!