April Seminar planner
From Habonim Dror
The top leadership programme Habonim Dror runs for upcoming Madrichim in the movement. For 7-9 days Shomrim and Bogrim 1s have the ultimate Habonim Dror Experience
Aim of Project
We essentially want to create, thinking, creative and larger-than-life Madrichim. Madrichim who know who they are, who care about Habo and who are passionate about being involved. Madrichim who inspire admiration from the channies as was the case in days gone by, where maddies pulled crazy stunts, knew all the songs sung, would make a big deal about a channie’s birthday etc.
The Seminar should make them confident to become Madrichim and involved in the movement. It will give them tools, skills and know-how.
Historical Background
This is a project started in 2003. From 2003 - 2007 It was only catered to Bogrim 1's. 2003 and 2004 were major successes, but years 2005 - 2007 didn't ideally achieve a significant attendance. In 2008 it was catered for Shomrim and Bogrim 1's. 2009 saw the most succesful running of this project with 21 Shomrim and 20 Bogrim 1's.
See sikkum minutes from 2010 here: Sikkum 2010
See sikkum minutes from 2009 here: Sikkum 2009
See sikkum minutes from 2008 here: Sikkum 2008
Timeline
The following is a list of what needs to be done in running a successful April Seminar by what stage:
| Task | When it should be started | When it should be completed |
|---|---|---|
| Setting Dates | 7 months before | 6 months before |
| Flights | 4 weeks before December Machaneh | 2 weeks before December Machaneh |
| Designing posters and flyers | 3 weeks before Machaneh | At machaneh |
| Choosing a Rosh and a tzevet | Hanhaggah 2 | Hanhaggah 1 |
| Budget, Finance and Setting a price | January 4th | Hanhaggah 1 |
| Online Form | Just after Hanhaggah 1 | 1st February |
| Campaigning | Machaneh, subtly | 2 days before |
| Madrichim preparation | February | April |
| Food and ordering | March | April |
| Putting together the Tochniet | 1st March | 5 days before Seminar |
| Chavurah and Project Planning | Anytime | 5 days before Seminar |
Setting Dates
April Seminar has to be run in the Holiday period During April. You need at least 5 days to run a proper April Seminar
The campsite is booked out often, so that's why you must finalize dates around August
When setting the dates you need to consider the following:
- Pesach and community response- you cannot travel on certain days.
- When will people return from holidays?
- When does University and schools go back?
- Prices of flights (flights for 2010 were booked in December 2009)
Flights
These have to be booked in advance in order to save money. Once the dates are decided book them immediately through Mary Magid at Invogue travel (011 483 3700). In late February or early march, update the tickets with the correct amount of names and move any excess tickets you booked that you won't end up using.
Designing posters and flyers
Have this out and ready by Machaneh, so you can stick it up in the Shomrim and Sayarim Chader ochel.
During Hanhaggah, you must release the glossy flyer. 2009's flyer was a nightmare, don't use it as a model, start from scratch. You must include:
- Dates
- Some of the madrichim running it
- Why this is THE best leadership experience
- Why this is such an amazing opportunity
See campaigning for 2010's glossy flyer
Choosing a Rosh and a tzevet
The Rosh should be a full time movement worker, or something equivalent. This project needs to be followed closely and given a very high chinnuchic tochniet.
In 2010 the rosh was a hanhagga member and it worked excellently with the mazkira doing the logistical side of things
The Tzevet has traditionally been the upper leadership of Habonim or recently departed leadership of Habonim. Use less JHBers to save money on flights.
Budget, Finance and Setting a price
Very important that this is done properly.
Please see this budget to be used as a guideline.
The 2010 budget was done on google docs- extremely useful for easy editing amongst people. Ask Callie Shenker for access to 2010's budget.
This project needs some fundraising support. The WPZC gave R5000 in 2009 but were not able to give in 2010. Be sure to approach funders early.
Online Form
This can be simple and straight forward.
include the main parts of the form, and use the setting from 2009
Selection and group size
You need a significant group of the Shomrim and Bogrim 1's to attend to make this successful.
last year we were able to pull in roughly 17 Shomrim and 14 Bogrim. To be honest these numbers are always a little bit poor. This project should pull in the full core of each shichvah. There are way too many who fall through the cracks. The biggest failure was the amount of people that signed up but then just didn't pitch. Be sure to continue to call the kids who have signed up throughout the campaign
You should aim for 30 in each shichvah.
Campaigning
People have to come to April Seminar for the right reasons. They must care about Habo, want to have a say in the direction of the movement and be keen to engage with their madrichim and peers.
This project needs to be campaigned completely differently from all other Habo projects. It is a difficult time of year and the channichim will have to choose habo over other things. Campaign the intimacy and seriousness of the seminar, make it sound prestigious.
Cool flyers are a MUST..
see the 2010 flyer for inspiration:
Madrichim preparation
In 2010 both tzevatim met before the seminar to go over all the peulot. this greatly enhanced the quality of the peulot and is a must for the future.
A tzevet meeting was also held about 3 weeks before seminar to crit all the peulot and suggest changes.
Food and ordering
Utilize the Mini Mach Machaneh left overs
See the 2010 meal planner here- It was a great success File:April sem food.pdf
Putting together the Tochniet
The tochniet has to be top quality with only the best peulot!
See the tochniet booklets from 2010
click here for Shomrim
click here for Bogrim 1 File:Bog1 peulah bk new.pdf
Atmosphere
combination of fun, educational, empowering, inspiring
Chavurah and Project Planning
Structure these in such a way that
