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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 2/23/2009 4:48:12 PM
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Does anyone use a tracking/sign-in system for their high school ministry? We are trying to figure out the best way to track students...any ideas?
We've thought about:
card swipes...students will probably lose them or forget to bring them
fingerprint scans...too creepy?
Heather Simons
Student Ministries Coordinator
Projectfourtwelve.com
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:18:26 PM
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HSimons,
I had a friend in ministry that had the printed barcode keychains printed for each student. When they arrived for the student service they would scan in. I also visited a church where attendance charts were printed and each student was given a barcode on the sheet. when the student sat down they would circle their name and then afterwards someone would scan them in their system.
My first scenario made the keychains successful by creating a point scenario. The kids never wanted to loose their keychain cause they would loose point for free youth ministry trips and merchandise in the bookstore.
Matt M
Forum Moderator
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Forum Guru
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:57:42 PM
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We just use a sign in sheet where the youth check off their names, and new people just write in their names. There's no complicated issues with it.
Masterpiece in Progress - Building masterpieces one person at a time.
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 2/22/2009 11:51:10 AM
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If you decide to do a scan in system, instead of a barcode key chain, what about a sticker they can put on their Bible? Not all teens drive, or have keys, but they should all have Bibles that they bring!
My youth group is small enough that I'm able to know who is there, and who isn't by checking in with my sponsors/ministers. When the teens walk in the door, the adult makes it a point to say hello and ask how they're doing. If each person has 5-10 teens, they know who's there and who's not, and can let me know if someone is missing. A manageable ratio for mentoring is 1 adult for every 5-10 teens. Most of the time, the sponsors that are single, have 5 to 6 teens, and the married couples have an average of 10 teens they're responsible for. Our youth ministry is more focused on ministering during the week, not only on Sundays, so I really like how the model is working for us right now. The sponsors/ministers send letters, have them over for dinner, and go to school functions for the teens that they are working with.
If I was in a youth group that large, I would feel better when the person who takes the time to get to know me during the week, also greeted me at youth group. I'd be less likely to come if I had to "scan in". Teens need to feel like they matter, and to me, a barcode system is almost like putting them on the checkout belt at Walmart.
I will admit, our model has it's flaws. If a sponsor is late, or is sick, it throws a wrench into the mix. I try to make sure that I'm the one who greets them at the door, and it sometimes works, and sometimes doesn't. If you're looking for convenience, a scan in system is great, but in youth ministry, you can never go wrong with personal interaction.
If you wanted to, you might be able to blend both of these models together, your sponsors could come back and check those who came, and those who didn't. You could also give them the sheet that has the barcodes on them, and they could scan people in after their group has arrived!
Good luck! I'll be praying for you!
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: 11/9/2009 11:16:23 AM
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Ecellerate. I think with this system the student can punch in the last 4 digits of their phone number on a touch screen.
We used to print business size card with the student's name and contact info, parent name. Then stick it on one of those sticky business card magnet things then line them up on one magnetic dry erase board then when they arrive they would move it to another magnetic board. Then you can at a glance look at who isn't there and even give out their cards for others to contact them. You also have their info at a glance should they run into a wall and black out or something like that.
Andy
Reaching Students to Discover Life in Christ
www.theaddyouthpastor.com
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