10 Ways to Reach Out to Parents at a Special Event

Your Awana club may have special events that draw parents. But then what? How can we best make use of the opportunity to connect with them after the event is over?

1. Invite all team members to go up front on the Sunday before the event. Although this wouldn’t work with Awana Grand Prix, it would work with team events. Pray for the teams, not that they’d win, but that they would do their best and show good sportsmanship whether they win or lose. Invite parents of all team members to attend church that Sunday so their child can participate.

2. Make sure you give good directions. Often these events are held at a school or another church. Yes, many parents have GPS capability and smart phones that give detailed directions, but make sure you also give directions. Provide the exact name and address of the school (North High School, 523 Main Street, Anytown rather than “the high school in North Belmont). If parents get frustrated attempting to find where they’re going, they won’t feel real happy about attending. If you know additional information such as road construction, you can add that. “Main Street is closed at the bridge for construction, so take Route 20 to get there.”

3. Offer to drive them to the event. Of course, you can’t drive everyone; but if there is a particularly shy couple, a single parent or a couple with whom you’re establishing a friendship, offer to take them. If they feel uncomfortable going to a church event, this will help calm their fears. Going with someone is always easier than going alone – especially when you’re attending something unfamiliar.

4. Be clear about what is expected and what will happen. “Sixteen churches will be participating at the AwanaGames this year, so be prepared for a lot of yelling. Our church will be on the green line; so if you’d like to wear green to support the team, that would be great. During the games, there will be a short message by an area pastor.”  Also let them know if an offering will be taken for the missionary or for a special project. (Sometimes offerings are taken and sometimes they aren’t – depends upon your area.) Tell them the cost if there’s an admission fee. By being open as to what the parent should expect, you are eliminating surprises from parents who weren’t expecting to “be preached to” or to be “asked for money.”

5. Think of questions to ask beforehand. OK, maybe you’re a little shy, but you’d truly like to show friendliness to parents. Yet, when you have an opportunity to talk to a parent whom you don’t know, you become tongue-tied and don’t know what to say. Plan some questions before attending such an event. Weather is always a good and easy topic. (That’s why people talk about it so much.) Town news also works. “Did you hear about the new mall they’re building out by the plastics factory?” “Did you hear we’re getting a new Italian restaurant?” Another great conversation starter is, “Did you grow up here?” 0r “How did your child begin attending Awana?” Mentally preparing questions beforehand can help you when you’re face-to-face with a stranger.

6. Don’t desert them at the door. When you get to the event location, don’t leave your guests and run off to be with your church friends. Or if you’re a team coach and need to be on the floor, make sure you introduce your guests to someone outgoing who will sit with them and help them feel at ease.

7. Sit with them. Yes, we just said that. But maybe you don’t know who those people are who are sitting in the bleachers with the other people from your church. You’ve seen them dropping their kids at Awana, however. Don’t ignore them. Sit by them. If they’ve never been to the event before, explain what is happening.

8. Plan a parent get together. If your team wins, it’s a celebration. If your team doesn’t win, it is still a celebration! Invite everyone to stop for ice cream on the way home or have pizza back at the church. The parents are there. Make use of the opportunity.

9. Ask parents to help out. Of course all adults must go through child protection training and background checks before working directly with the children in your group, but there are other ways parents can help. Do you need a banner transported to the venue (promoting your team “Go Westfield Community”)? Even if you have room in your own car, you could ask a non-churched parent to transport it for you. Do you need someone to get to the ice cream place to reserve tables? A parent could do that. Anytime you ask someone to help, you make him/her feel as if they’re part of the group. So be creative in “thinking” up jobs where you need help.

10. Write thank-you notes to the parents after the event. Write thank-you notes or emails to parents of all the participants. Thank them for getting their children to practice or in the case of Bible Quizzing, working with them at home. Thank them for being part of your “team.” Again, feeling as if you’re part of something makes you more comfortable with the surroundings … and maybe more willing to attend other church/club events.