Leading and Inviting

GRAB YOUR CALENDAR
I encourage you, if you have not already done so to form a support team composed of other myMISSION-aged women and “seasoned” women who are interested in supporting your group. The support of this team is beneficial in determining how you desire to function as a group. Do you want to provide weekly, monthly, or quarterly opportunities to get together? Do you want to provide communication and opportunities to connect online: blogs, discussion boards, Facebook? Once you determine this, then you can get your calendars out and set dates. I have learned the hard way that by not setting a date your intentions can be in the right place; however, your actions will show differently, time moves on, and there will still be no get together planned.

Our group has attempted to provide a set time on the same night of the week—that seemed to work well for a few months; however, individuals who wanted to attend but always had other obligations on those evenings were disheartened that they always missed out. We then decided to rotate nights of the week to when we gathered. This allowed more ladies to attend, but was more challenging to plan for those ladies who desired consistency and wanted a set day in their calendar dedicated to their group. There are times when I had a creative idea like Retro Game Night and planned it within two weeks and it was not on a calendar—just something to get the ladies together and check in during the summer. Now that you are on track with planning your events, how will you choose to invite the ladies in your area? 

INVITATIONS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
When I was a child, I remember having to hand write invitations to a gathering, visit my local post office, and after licking and sticking my stamps, wait in anticipation for the r.s.v.p’s. Then in high school there was no need to mail anything because I could hand deliver the invitation and then again, wait for the r.s.v.p’s. In college, there was a better approach that seemed so much faster than “snail mail”—it was email. I would find the coolest clip art to “cut and paste” into my invitation and the most eye catching font to type in and with a click of the mouse, my invitations were sent to my list of people within the blink of an eye and then …wait for r.s.v.p’s. Now in the days of being a wife and mom of my two very busy boys, I utilize Facebook for invitations.

There seems to be more of an instant response from people with this method. In the world of “instant” that we live in, this is a great way to get the invite out and to have people respond. The hole in this method is the follow-through of those who said, “yes” to remember to come (the invitation has to become more than just an “e-event”). How do we make invitations for events welcoming, to the point, and worthy of writing on a physical calendar to remember to attend? The last sentence provided you with the answer…it’s all in your event. Remember in each gathering with these women ask yourself, “What is the purpose?” Are you there to hang out for fun? Digging deeper into God’s Word with a Bible study? To help people who are in need by working together on a mission project?  Gather together for discussion about a book you are reading together as a group? Your invitation will be as enticing as the purpose for your gathering.

SHINE On!