Planning for the new Aktion Club year doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Gather your club’s calendar or club scrapbook from last year, along with flipchart paper and markers. Here’s how to create a strategic plan: 

1. Make a five-column chart that everyone can see. Post two or three pieces of flipchart paper next to one another. Create a table with five column headings across the top of the sheets:  

  • Service project/club activity. 
  • Organizations. 
  • Pros. 
  • Cons. 
  • Notes.

The columns for Pros, Cons and Notes should be much wider than the others. 

2. Review last year’s activities. Use the calendar or club’s scrapbook to help the members review last year’s events. List last year’s service and fundraising activities in the first column. List organizations that helped with activities or where members donated or did service. Go down the list, asking members to think about and share what went well (pros) and what didn’t work or could be improved (cons). Make sure to record their input. Discuss which projects the club wants to continue and cross out ones your club won’t do this year. Use the notes column to record the month you might do the project and any changes you’ll make. 

3. Add project ideas from aktionclub.org. Look for any opportunities your club might not be doing, including Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, the Sleeping Children Around the World initiative and activities during Aktion Club Week (the first full week of March). Write these activities on the table, adding organization partners and a note for the month you want to do the project.  

4. Discuss fundraising projects. Funding service activities can be challenging. Sponsoring Kiwanis clubs may help, but it’s a good idea to conduct at least one fundraiser each year. What fundraisers have worked well in the past (if they aren’t on the list from last year) and would members be interested in continuing them? The club might add fundraising ideas to the table, noting the month the fundraiser could happen. 

5. Participate in Aktion Club contests. Make sure to add Aktion Club awards and contests to the service project/club activity column. Record the months your club will work on its entries (we suggest starting in January) in the “Notes” column. Also, add the annual September 15 deadline for submission of entries.  

6. Include club celebrations. Celebrate the beginning of the year and induct new club officers and members. Review the script for inducting new club members and officers beginning on page 27 in the Aktion Club Advisor Guide. An end-of-year celebration is also a great idea. It’s a way to reflect on the club’s completed service projects. Also consider celebratory gatherings on or near fun holidays such as Halloween or Valentine’s Day. 

7. Consider applying for project funding with your Kiwanis club. Work with your sponsoring Kiwanis club to apply for a Kiwanis Children’s Fund grant for a service project that the clubs can do together. The Kiwanis club would need to submit the application — since only Kiwanis clubs can receive Children’s Fund grants. When applying, plan several months in advance. If your Kiwanis club agrees to apply, add this to the planning table or club’s finished plan later.  

When your table is finished, it will include lots of great information. Plans may change, but an annual plan will help set goals and stay aware of the fun that’s ahead.