May Director Newsletter

Dear Kids Hope USA Director,

Here we are in May 2022; and it came so quickly!

As a former school administrator, I would always say the same thing. Typically, May in the education world is a great time to reflect on the school year and plan for the changes you would like to make moving forward.

As we’re filled with hope for a full year of in-person mentoring during the 2022-2023 school year, please join me in reflecting and planning over the next couple of months.

Joyful flexibility has been the name of the game these last two years. No matter where you are on the road to normalcy, we thank you for hanging in there! This mission would not be possible without directors like you!

“For everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

In this issue, you will find:

Rebuilding, Recruiting, and Reengaging Strategies
Best Practices in Communication and Recruitment
Top 5 Things to Do This Month

Tammy Johnston

Program Support Specialist

SPRING DIRECTOR SURVEY

Thank you to everyone who has already completed the Spring Director Survey!

We count on your feedback to help us report accurately to our board and donors. We also value your input on how we can better support you. By completing the survey promptly, you save us valuable staff time allowing us to focus instead on serving your program needs.

COMPLETE SURVEY

NATIONAL PRAYER CALL & DIRECTOR GROUP

Please invite your volunteers to join us for the KHUSA National Prayer Call Thursday, May 19 at 1:00 ET (adjust for your time zone). Use the link below to register for the call. Following the prayer call, we’ll have a director group with the topics: recruiting, growth, and communications.

Thursday, May 19, 2022

1:00 PM Eastern Time

(adjust for time zones)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you can’t make the call, please register and we will send you the recording for the director group portion.

The summer is a great time to make plans and connections. Let these three R’s be your guide:

REENGAGE
Work with your supervising pastor to schedule lunch with your school principal.
Contact past mentors to see if they would consider serving again.

REBUILD
Determine which leadership positions would best help you this fall: a co-director, a celebration/events coordinator, recruiting coordinator, etc. See Building a Kids Hope USA Leadership Support Team for more ideas.
Plan for an active prayer strategy over the summer for your KHUSA program.

RECRUIT
Work with your supervising pastor, church marketing, or media specialists and your leadership support team to develop a great recruiting strategy.
Use fresh stories and quotes from your program as you develop presentations or videos.
Reference the Recruiting Toolkit as you make your plans.

IDEAL IDEA

Columbus Avenue in Waco, TX is one of our long-time Kids Hope USA programs. This summer, they are have a great idea to support their school partner, community, and students.

As the school provides lunch to students during the summer break, director Rita Massey and her team will have books to offer the students while they are there!

Joining in with an existing initiative or event is always a great way to support your school while not bearing the entire load yourself.

Is your school planning anything your KHUSA program could help with? Or is your church planning a VBS or other summer event you could invite your Kids Hope USA students to if you have permission?

Let us know what you're planning by sharing with us in the Director Facebook Group or emailing share@kidshopeusa.org.

BEST PRACTICE:

Communication & Recruitment

Your supervising pastor is a vital part of your Kids Hope USA team!

Schedule a meeting with him or her now to elicit their help accessing the marketing and communication resources of your church to share the mission, vision, and stories of KHUSA with your congregation and inspire them to get involved.

Work with your pastor to expand the program to meet the needs of the students at your partner school this fall!

RAT A TAT CAT

Rat a Tat Cat is a card game that helps develop timing and basic mathematical concepts. It teaches strategy, memory building, and addition.

This would be a great game to add to your supply cabinet. Here is a link to purchase it, and here is a video to learn how to play it.

THE UNBUDGABLE CURMUDGEON

by Matthew Burgess

The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon is a book that will help readers having a grumpy day find ways to turn it around.

Check and see if the school library has a copy or purchase one for your collection here and listen to a read-aloud version.

Buying on Amazon? Shop online using smile.amazon.com and select “Kids Hope USA” as the beneficiary organization for your purchase. With your purchase, Amazon donates 0.5% of your eligible purchase price to Kids Hope USA!

1. Celebrate the teachers at your partner school during National Teacher Appreciation Week May 2-6!

2. Think of a way to specifically honor any Kids Hope USA students who are graduating and will be closing their mentoring relationship. See our graduation certificate HERE.

3. Survey your mentors to find out who will be returning for the 22-23 school year.

4. Schedule a meeting with your pastor to make a communication and recruitment plan.

5. Ask your school counselor to brainstorm students who are not currently in your KHUSA program but who might benefit from joining. Having a specific number of students you are recruiting mentors for can be a powerful recruitment technique!

GIVING UPDATE

Thank you for your commitment to your Kids Hope USA programs this school year!

We are grateful that you consistently pour your Time and Talents into this ministry.

As you consider where you put your Treasure, we hope you’ll consider Kids Hope USA, either as a personal gift or through your church community. Every gift made to Kids Hope USA helps us support our existing programs, identify new church partners to serve in their local schools, and ultimately reach more kids!