Below is information on the first phase of preparation for FOCUS ’09, an excellent children’s ministry event sponsored by the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville. I would strongly encourage you to start thinking TODAY about how you can attend this event. Below are some ideas for starting this ball rolling!

Step I:  What’s it going to cost?

Registration- Early registration typically has been under or around $200.  Pre-Conference seminars are usually about $50 more.

Lodging - The conference hotel lodging usually runs about $130 per room.  Two or more people can split this cost to bring it down or you can shop for other nearby hotel bargains on your own.  Figure in additional transportation (bus, shuttle, car rental, parking, etc.) expenses if you do not stay at the conference hotel.  Also remember that the conference has made a commitment to fill a particular number of rooms so it can get price cuts on spaces used for workshops, meetings, etc.  I.E., support the conference by staying at the conference hotel if at all possible.

Travel- Plane tickets RIGHT NOW run $300 or more.  Who knows by next summer!  There is also a possibility of traveling by bus if enough people are interested.  I doubt that cost would be more than around $100 a person round trip.  Churches with vans may want to get something together, too.

Meals- A couple of big meals and morning brunches are usually included with registration. Other than that, you can be creative and selective in what you eat.

Step 2:  Where do I get the money?

Continuing Education Funds- People on-staff may be able to access budgeted CE funds at their own church or request special funds for this event.  The Administrative Council, Council on Ministries, UMW, UMM, Sunday School classes, etc. may be other groups to approach.  It might be possible to take some funds from the 2008 budget and some from the 2009 budget to ease the strain.

Conference Children’s Ministry Committee- This committee has scholarship funds in the budget for events such as this, but a determination has yet to be made on how many and the exact amount of these grants.  Contact Mary Lue this fall for more information.

Children’s Council Fundraisers- Get your Children’s Council on board to support your attendance at this event.  Try some innovative approaches to raise money – Use your child-friendly, organizational skills to host birthday or seasonal parties “for hire;” As a trusted and reliable leaders of children, advertise your services as a weekend nanny or babysitter; Contract your talents and/or services to people in your community or neighborhood – cater a dinner party, provide entertainment for a party or gathering, do some spring cleaning or yard work, etc.; Bake sales, silent craft auctions, church dinners, etc. are other ideas.

If you don’t have a Children’s Council- Get some parents and friends together who will commit to helping you with fund raisers such as the ones mentioned above.

Step 3:  Where do I sign up?

Mary Lue Eastmond, Oklahoma Conference Ministry Center is looking for a volunteer to coordinate those interested in traveling together by bus/van. Get with me at mleastmond@okumc.org or 800-231-4166 or 405-530-2007.