by Tiare Fullmer
2012 is fast approaching and if you do some preliminary planning now, you will find things going much more smoothly and successfully in the coming year.
Here are some ideas you might want to consider:
- Outline / calendar – Look ahead and plan for stake and general conference, CSMP, etc.. Assignments can be made for conducting sharing time, giving gospel instruction, visit classes, greeting, etc...
Here is an example:
| Monthly theme and scripture | Monthly song | Activity/ Lesson | ||||
| Jan | Agency Is the Gift to Choose for Ourselves “Wherefore, men are free... to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men” (2 Nephi 2:27) | As a Child of God (outline) | 14th - Stake Aux. Training | |||
| Weekly theme | Open Ex | Conduct | G Instruct | Visit | Lesson # | |
| 1 | Introduce 2012 Theme | Talk - Bish | 2nd C | 1st C | 1 | |
| 8 | Agency is the gift to choose for ourselves. | A of F, myGS | Presi | 2nd C | 1st C | 2 |
| 15 | Agency is the gift to choose for ourselves. | Talk - child | 2nd C | 1st C | Pres | 3 |
| 22 | In the premortal life, I chose to follow God's plan. | Pres message | Presi | Sec | 2nd C | 4 |
| 29 | Jesus Christ created the earth as a place where I can learn to choose the right. | Talk - child | 1st C | Pres | 5 | |
- Talks / scriptures / prayers for sharing time -– Figure out the way you will assign and remind the children [and their parents] Keep track so all can have a chance participate and of children and their talks that you might want to include in the CSMP.
- Sharing Time Agenda - Plan a basic agenda that you can use each week to conduct Sharing Time that has places to fill in the talks, prayers, songs, etc.
- Goals - Set long term goals to improve your effectiveness at accomplishing the purposes of Primary. This is the step-back, big-picture kind of planning. Periodically evaluate and track your progress. The Primary secretary can be great help here as well.
- Presidency duties – A list to define who is responsible for what – ex: 1st Counselor - over AD for G and CTR classes and general teacher improvement...
- Presidency meetings – When and where will you have them? This council is very important to a properly functioning Primary – if you are having lots of difficulty – check and see if this meeting is happening effectively.
- Lesson schedule – make yearly schedule so all know which lesson they should be on – especially great for when you need last minute substitutes, etc. A list of approved substitutes is another thing you can include for teachers
- Class lists , teacher instructions and next year manuals [CTR and Valiant classes all change manuals]– Plan how you will get this information to the teachers. Remember, personal contact is always best so you can encourage, answer any ?? and determine what there needs are.
- Parent letter – Introduce parents to the yearly theme and give them any instructions such as picking up children promptly, making sure children go to the bathroom before coming to Primary, not allow children to bring toys, policy about food, etc...
- Nursery schedule– The basic Sunday schedule, possibly who does what each week, snacks...
- Nursery parent letter – Again, involve the parents and make sure they know the policies, etc.
- Music plan – The outline has basic songs to teach listed under several months, but gives plenty of room for you to chose songs. If you have a plan of specific songs you want to teach and make sure the children know well this year, it will focus your singing time. You can also have a plan for opening exercises songs. If this is planned and given ahead of time to the presidency, they have time to make sure it's correct on the agenda and opening exercises will flow smoothly.
- Music practice CD – audio files of all the Primary songs are available on the church website. Making a Cd for each child of the songs you will learn and emphasize this year can really be helpful, especially to children who don't attend consistently.
- AD for girls & cub scouts and 11 yr scouts – Expect the leaders of these groups to plan ahead and have a basic calendar for the Presidency to approve. The scouts should each have a rotating calendar to make sure all requirements can be met during the year. [Get LDS scout training if you don't understand this!]
Get your lists and schedules set up ahead, and make sure all who need it have a copy. Then you just simply execute the plan each week. Remember, you can tweak if needed, but the basics are in place. Many of these lists and schedules are great to post on the inside of your closet door, etc. Remember to plan with prayer and purpose. You will have greater success when you plan ahead and are prepared at the beginning of the year. Then, you will have much more time for the real work of Primary – people!
If you want it to happen – plan for it!
