Yesterday I officially registered for Orange. Have you registered yet? You know that today is the last day for discount pricing. Click here to register! Woo hoo! Every year I like to post what breakouts I’m attending, so here where I’ll be this year:

Preconference 1: How to Plan a Ministry Calendar
Preconference 2: How to Design Great Signage
Preconference 3: How to Communication to Volunteers Via Text Messages
Preconference 4: How to Connect with Parents Using Social Media
Preconference 5: How to “Free a Volunteer”
Breakout A: Creativity: Living Sideways
Breakout B: Multi-Site Chidlren’s Ministry
Breakout C: From Nothing to Something
Breakout D: Helping Parents Catch the Vision

Preconference 1: How to Plan a Ministry Calendar
Kenny Conley
Isn’t it funny how certain seasons tend to sneak up on us? Ever been guilty of blowing the budget on having particular print materials rushed or important supplies shipped overnight? We don’t have to let ministry happen to us. Planning a ministry calendar is one of the most strategic steps a ministry can take to set the stage for a rewarding year. Develop some healthy habits and pick up some tips and tricks to ensure you accomplish everything you set out to do.

Preconference 2: How to Design Great Signage
Kenny Conley
You’ve got something important to say. Unfortunately, far too often you fail to communicate clearly or effectively because the presentation of your message falls flat. Whether it’s a sign, a poster or a simple postcard; you have precious little real estate to communicate, and poor design wastes both money and opportunities. Even if you’re not an artist, let us teach you some basic rules of design that will make your message stand out!

Preconference 3: How to Communication to Volunteers Via Text Messages
Matt McKee & Kenny Conley
Having trouble getting your volunteers to respond to email or any type of communication? Did you know that in 2010 people in general spent more time texting than talking on the phone? Let’s look at how to utilize this technology to communicate to your volunteers.

Preconference 4: How to Connect with Parents Using Social Media
Matt McKee & Kenny Conley
What would be the ultimate take home for parents when they leave your ministry? Parents need more than a take home sheet of paper. Use Social Media instead to spread ideas, communication, and create strategies that will enable you to better connect and partner with parents. Leverage social technology to broaden your impact.

Preconference 5: How to “Free a Volunteer”
Tom Shefchunas

Breakout A: Creativity: Living Sideways
Jared Herd
Creativity is not the invention of something new, rather it is the connection of two things that already exist but no one has connected. Our general tendency is to live “vertically,” which means we dig deeper into our field of ministry, career or study without paying attention to much else. Creative people live “horizontally,” which means they try to have a wide breadth of knowledge, people and experiences that they connect back to their calling. We are always going to drift toward being “vertical,” and we have to force ourselves to live “horizontally.” Example: If as a preacher, your way of making creative messages is to talk to other Christians and read Christian books, you will fail to be fascinating. You will have to force yourself to have “horizontal” relationships and experiences that you can connect to your life, messages, etc. The more “horizontal” we become, the more creative we become.

Breakout B: Multi-Site Chidlren’s Ministry
Nina Schmidgall
Are you part of a multi-site church or one that plans to launch additional locations sometime in the future? The executive team is plotting and scheming, but you are the one who has to figure out how to make family ministry, children’s programs, and youth programs happen in a multi-site context! Come and consider some multi-site models for how to staff multiple locations, manage schedules, ensure quality programming, facilitate curriculum, protect policies and procedures, oversee budget, and ensure kids are being loved and challenged at all locations! Learn how a multi-site model could be a wonderful opportunity for families at your church!

Breakout C: From Nothing to Something
Jeff Shinabarger
There is a rise in people creating projects that help people in great need. Many people want to contribute, but the hardest part is knowing where to begin. Join a practical conversation of learning how to begin a project, motivate others to contribute, and determine if you should continue after the experimental phase.

Breakout D: Helping Parents Catch the Vision
Sue Miller
It’s great to have a staff team that is passionate about partnering with parents, but how do you get parents involved with the vision? Where do you even start? Learn what things you can do that will help you pass your vision on to the parents you serve.