8 Questions to Ask About Your Start of School Events

 If the first two to three weeks define our whole school year, then we must continue to evaluate our plans as realistically as possible.

8 Questions to Ask:

1.  Do my events the first two weeks have at least some fun element attached to them?

I am a little contradictory here in my feelings.  I am all about doing fun events to meet and connect with new people.  HOWEVER, I think it is possible to be so fun event focused at the start of school that new students have no idea who or what hosted this event.  In recent years, I have leaned  more toward getting into regular events real quickly but with fun and food attached.  If it is a Lunch Program, there can be a very appealing speaker (We had great responses with some of our Christian coaches.).  If it a night worship event, it can have food before or after and some very fun ice breakers in the midst of it.

2.  Am I serving student friendly food and making that clearly known in the publicity and promotion?

Food serves three purposes.  It helps student decide to come.  It makes it easy and more likely for your upperclass students to invite others and when it is done at the end, it makes it easier to hang around to talk and connect.  Eating can be a super hand out and connection time.

3.  Am I teaching and training my core students the importance of their actions at these opening events?

If returning students are just hugging and visiting with friends from last year, new students will quickly feel left out.  Or at best, they will not connect to anyone who will help them return.  Don't just assume your core students will know how important their actions are at these first events.

4.  Do I have a QUICK follow up plan?

Not only is it important to follow up on those who have come for the first time, but it matters how quickly it happens.  Make it a goal to have a contact with every new person within 24 hours of their visit.  If possible, it is great if they can get BOTH a student and staff follow up.

5.  How does my budget or level of excellence in these first events compare to a fraternity/sorority enlistment/rush event?

Some would argue that is not a fair apples to apples comparison.  But, many students will make that comparison.  Is it ok for Christian events to be second rate?  And, excellence is not just about money.

6.  Are my website/social media posts and starting schedule up to date NOW?

I see lots of college ministry websites that still have up their information about their Spring Semester wind up events.  Many believe that the first time many students visit your ministry is on social media.

7.  Am I using one or more good pictures in my promotion?

Pictures answer lots of questions and make it possible to not have a lot of text that usually will not get read.

8.  Do you have an inviting title for your first worship/Bible study event?

I will confess to wanting to get students to come who are not just out looking for a worship event to attend as their first priority.  My best example is years ago in brainstorming with our Leadership Team, we came up with the title,  "7 Red Flags in a Dating Relationship".  That was the title for our first worship event.  As a part of it, I talked about what the Bible said about healthy relationships.  It was NOT a bait and switch, but it had a lot of God in it.  A time or two we even used a movie title and started with a clip from that movie to set up the talk.  You get the idea....now what do YOU think?

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.