A frequent question I get when I’m talking about helping schools comes from schools and how they can give back to their partner church or business. Relationships flow best when both sides give and receive and while most of the benefits will appear to flow to the school, the partner helping the school will want to pick ways the school can help them.
Here’s are three ways schools can help churches and those who partner with them:

• Candy drives- many churches need candy for trunk or treats or fall festivals around Halloween. Schools staffs can collect candy for their partner church and help stretch a church’s budget

• Bake sales- many churches also have bake sales and fall craft fairs. Here school staffs can bake items for the bake sale. I know at our church the bake sale is popular and items go fast so the more items available for sale, the better

• Speak in services- schools shouldn’t overlook the incredible value of sharing with a church during Sunday morning services. Whether it’s the principal giving an update, a teacher telling a story, or even the principal giving the message it’s great for the school to share during services.

How has your school helped its partner church or business?

Let us know in the comments.

Where do I start?
It’s a good question. 
Last month during #31waysin31days, we highlighted 31 different ideas on how to partner with schools. 

And then I asked you last week to share about your challenges when it comes to helping schools (if you haven’t shared your opinion yet, there’s still time, and it only takes a minute or two).

One challenge many of us face is how to start.

It’s a challenge throughout life. 
How do I start eating better?  How do I start saving money?  How do I start an exercise plan?  How do I start to run a half marathon?  How do I start to write a book?

And those same doubts and fears and uncertainties are in play when it comes to helping a school.  No one wants to start something and then fail.  No one wants to start something, tell people we’re doing something, and then not do it.  No one wants to start helping a school only to not finish the year or worse, say you’re going to help and then not start.

So, how do we start helping a school?

Here’s some tips on getting started helping a school:

• Start close- if your business or church is across the street from a school, start there.  If you have school-aged children, start with their school.  If you teach at a school, start there.
• Start small- we heard this time and again during #31waysin31days, but start small.  Underpromise and overdeliver.  Starting small might look like sponsoring a classroom before you support the school.  Or support one teacher with appreciation and cards and volunteering in her room and go from there.  Or mentoring one child for a year and then start a mentoring program with your business or church. 
• Start now- act on the idea of helping a school.  Do something to get started on the idea this week or even better, today.  Email a teacher and see if you can help in her room.  Email a principal and set up a time to see how your business could help her school.  Fill out the application to be a mentor.  Taking one small action of getting started will keep the momentum going and also bring the idea to life for you.
• Start together-  start with a friend and ask for her assistance and encouragement.  Start with me- tell me you’re starting to partner with a school and I’ll help you start well.
  

Have some other tips on how start partnering with a school?  Or on how to get started in general?  Let us know in the comments section- we’d love to hear from you!

And if you're not sure how to start or where to start, please email me.  I'll help you get started today.