Spring Cleaning Tips for Children’s Ministry (cont.)
11. Keep your workstation clean and clear so there’s room to prep.
An empty table can quickly become a dumping ground. Keep your workstation clean and clear so no one has to move things around (or dump them on the floor) to find a place to do prep work.
12. Recruit volunteers who love organization.
It’s one thing to organize a supply closet. Keeping it that way is a never-ending job! Sarah has a wonderful team of people who keep the supply room organized and take care of the space as if it were their own. She also has a place for them to list any supplies they’re running low on, so Sarah can keep the room well-stocked. Sarah says, “I am thankful for volunteers who create space to help God’s love grow through little creative hands, minds, and hearts!”
13. Number storage bins so people return them to the correct place.
Kathy Peregoy and the RezKids team from Colorado have a brilliant system for keeping things in the right place: numbered bins. Each bin has a color-coded tag to sort office supplies, skit props, and general supplies. Then within each color, bins are organized in numerical order. That way if a volunteer borrows bin 13, she knows right where to return it! (I’ve volunteered for RezKids, and I really enjoyed cleaning up because I never had to wonder where things went!)
14. Inventory supplies alphabetically in a binder.
Ready to go next-level? Kathy not only numbers her bins, she provides a binder with an alphabetical list of supplies. Need Sharpies? Check bin 17. Or find stencils in bin 8!
15. Create a bin of prepped supplies for each class.
Chris Meyer and Laurie Bates from Colorado set up a wonderful system to equip their leaders. They recruited volunteers who prep supplies so teachers can come in and have everything cut, copied, and ready to go. With a bin for each classroom and service, it’s easy for volunteers to walk in and grab what they need. Happy volunteers will stick around!
