How to start an SU Group - Scripture Union Scotland

Team Leaders’ Manual – School SU GroupsSome other questions may well come up later with the school and these are listed in the parallelpaper.1.1.7 Make sure that you and your leaders are properly prepared for your groupAgree in advance what materials you will use. Here are some suggestions, and there are alwaysmore in our Network News magazine, issued to SU group leaders twice a year and available from SU& Associate staff in your area. Back copies are on our website atwww.suscotland.org.uk/networknews.Primary: Eyelevel books and DVDs such as Awesome, Streetwise, Rocky Road and Target Challengefrom SU publications; Impact or Fusion (Monarch); LIGHT Material (SU “Sunday School” material)from www.lightlive.org or SU group outlines on www.schoolslive.org ;Secondary: Resources on the www.suscotland.org.uk/resources page; secondary materials onwww.schoolslive.org ; SUbstance (SU publications) a growing series of senior secondary material;The Grid (from the SU LIGHT Material normally associated with Sunday Schools)There are also the chapters on Resources and Planning in the SU Group Leaders Manual.You will also need to consider how prepared you are to discipline children and young people insetting the boundaries for your group.1.1.8 Advertise your group to those whom you would like to see comingTry to generate an awareness and anticipation for the group starting. In primary schools it may wellbe appropriate to send a letter home to parents (even if there is no return slip to sign off. Look onthe SU Scotland website and download logos if you want to use them:www.suscotland.org.uk/about/corporate-identityBeing able to talk to people face to face will be more significant than an email, notice read out inclass or poster on the wall – though these ideas can still be used. Ask for some input to assembliesor a presence in a central area of the school at breaks. Some SU Volunteers have been instrumentalto starting a Clubs and Societies Fair in their school where you could invite responses to shortquestionnaires. In subsequent years, group member s may help in this process as well.Consider contacting local churches and youth groups to help the group reach a critical mass early on.1.1.9 Personally invite those who you would like to see comingPerhaps some pupils already have a connection with you or with a local church; try to getinformation to all the local churches. Perhaps some pupils have been to a Scripture Union holiday,weekend or mission. Ask your Regional Worker or Associate Trust worker for a list of these peopleand work out how best to contact them.1.1.10 Persevere with your vision for the school for at least a term and then evaluateSU Groups can take a bit of time to get off the groups but they can also become “the place to be” sobe prepared for either eventuality. Keep supporters informed and praying for your group. Try tobalance the need for a consistency and structure that pupils can identify and relate to with anexpectation that there will be new and exciting things happening at the group.Look to the rest of the SU Group Leaders’ Manual for advice and ideas as the group develops.January 2012