Planning a Unit Family Day
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Planning a unit family day can be daunting. This webinar breaks down the components of a family day and provides ideas.
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Planning a Unit Family Day
- 1. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Volunteer Management Session 1 of 1
- 2. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1
- 3. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1
- 4. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1 Who will be a part of your planning team?
- 5. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1 Why?
- 6. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1 Where? Don’t forget: • Costs • Logistics • Capacity
- 7. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1 When?
- 8. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1
- 9. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1 What?
- 10. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1
- 11. Volunteers Planning a Family Day Session 1 of 1
- 12. Today’s Take-Aways Everyone Ready New Approaches to Volunteer Recruitment Session 2 of 2
Editor's Notes
- Family days are a great event. What is a Family Day Planning Basics Ideas Before we delve deeper into today’s topic I want to know more about you! POLL: What is your role? FRG volunteer Staff Member Service Member Other POLL: What is your affiliation? Army National Guard Air National Guard Army Reserve Active Duty Other?
- There is no right or wrong type of family day for a unit. There are some things to remember though: The FRG is the commander’s program. It is the commander who should provide some guidance and determines the type of event. The commander should approve any plans. Family days can accomplish a number of goals Allow the commander to get to know the families Allow the unit to show the families what it is they do Allow the families and unit members to connect Provide key information to the unit and families about upcoming unit events Provide key information to the unit and families about benefits, entitlements and resources A great way to have fun! Poll – when was your last family day 1 to 6 months 6 months to a year 1 to 2 years Family day? What’s that?!?) I would like to know what types of family days you have most enjoyed and why. Please share. Facilitator will discuss types of family days they have attended and what they like about them. Planning a good family day can be challenging. One of the most important things to remember is that the program belongs to the commander and you need to get their input before you start. You can present ideas to them, but ultimately it is their program and they need to determine what type of event will work for them and for the unit.
- So you have volunteered to organize a family day or at least help out. What now? The first step is to meet with the commander and get some guidance. Why are you having the event? Where will you hold the event? When will you hold the event? Who will attend? What will you do? And I’m throwing an extra W in there – WHO will you call upon to assist? This is probably the most important one. The commander may only care about #1, or they may have quite a bit of input.
- I’m going to start with my extra W right now, because you need a TEAM to plan a good family day! 6. WHO will you call upon to assist? Think of having representation of the various demographics in your unit and FRG Single soldiers Married Families Ranks Retirees Community support Perhaps have representatives from the unit, family members to include parents of the single unit members and teens. As you organize, you need to assign roles and follow up – be sure to create SMART goals: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time Sensitive Identify 3 possible locations with the costs, capabilities and available dates by <a specific date>
- So you have your team together, the first think they need to know the commander’s intent. Why are you having the event? Does the commander have a special reason? Is there a change of command or impending deployment? Are there promotions to celebrate? Is it a way for the commander to get to know the families? Does the command want to show off its capabilities? Share this guidance with the team. Help get them on board. Knowing the purpose can guide you as you begin the planning process.
- Once you have the commander’s guidance you can begin to plan. 2. Where will you hold the event? Ask participants to share where you have held family days: Poll: Unit or military base Park or recreational facility Restaurant Meeting Hall (VFW, K of C, lodge, etc) Sporting Event Ask participants for other locations Possible Answers Museum Commander or another leader’s home Bouncy Playground Factors to consider: Cost – will there be a charge to use the facility? Location – how far from the unit? How will people get there? Logistics – Timing, getting supplies to and from, etc. When can you set up? Capacity – will it be big enough? Can the venue hold the activities you are planning? Facilities – what do they have and what will you need to bring? Will the facilities accommodate special needs family members? How about restrooms? If it is an outdoor space, is there a shelter and access to water? What will you need to bring – Tents/shelters? Supplies?
- 3. When will you hold the event? Will it be on a drill weekend? Saturday or Sunday? During Annual Training? Lunch or dinner? How long? When is your venue available? If it is outdoors and it rains do you have an alternate location or date?
- 4. Who will attend? Will this be unit members and their spouses? Children? Parents? Will you invite former unit members? Retirees? Gold Star families? Supporting organizations? Are there special arrangements to be made to accommodate anyone with special needs? If you are holding it on a military installation do you need to provide the gate guards with a list of guests?
- 5. What will you do? Games Sports like kick-ball, soft ball, ultimate Frisbee Competition like 3-legged races and other games Activities Attend a special event like a ball game Visit a museum or monument Food Pot luck (will it be allowed per guidelines) Cooking (do they have the proper training on safe food handling) Catering (will the caterer have to be approved) Separate children’s area? Fund raising Dunking booth Pie in the face Auction Opportunity drawing ?? Educational opportunities What does your unit do? Show off equipment. Information fair
- Let’s talk information fair – an information fair provides service members and their families information about various organizations that can provide support. Who have you invited to your unit Pull out your handout Military One Source Military Family Life Counselors (for adults or children especially if getting ready to deploy or just returned) Financial Counselors Army One Source State Family Programs CYSS (Child Youth and School Services) Employment Specialist Transition Specialist JAG USO ESGR Vet Center / VA Our Military Kids Youth organizations (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA) USAA Blue Star Mothers of America American Legion VFW Other local/national Non-profit
- As you are organizing this event be sure to consider how it will be paid for. How much is affordable per person? Will the rates be based on rank? Will you charge less for children or have a maximum per family? Will guests need to pay or will the commander cover them or will this cost be incorporated into the amount charged? Can you obtain MWR funds from a local installation (talk to the MWR business manger) If using FRG funds BE SURE TO CAREFULLY FOLLOW REGULATIONS! Check with your state. There are regulations!!
- Is there anything that we missed? Thank you for joining us for the final session of this two-part Everyone Ready webinar: New Approaches to Volunteer Recruitment! Family days are a great event. Putting an event together does take work. What is a Family Day – remember it is a Commander’s event. Be sure you know what it is he or she wishes for this event. Planning Basics – be sure you represent all the members of your unit as you plan (single, couples, families), include a team of volunteers Ideas – we shared quite a bit. I’m sure there are more ideas so be sure to carry on the conversation on our Facebook page and the JSS site!