Title: “Welcoming the New Sister”
Exhibitor: Julie C. Nelson
Description: Sisters of all ages need to feel welcome. Ideas are included
for welcoming sisters of all ages into your ward or ward auxiliary
How To’s:
Relief Society
How about a welcoming folder?!
This idea was very popular in our ward. Our bishop liked the idea so much that we were able to use ward funds to put them together. These pocket folders can be used for new members in the ward and are also great for Young Women entering Relief Society. In our ward, I taught a lesson on the history of Relief Society to the Laurel class and then presented this folder to them.
These folders can be very easy inexpensive to make. Remember to also make them special for each individual girl or family.
Suggested folder contents:
! Letter from ward Relief Society Presidency (we had so many sisters moving into the ward that we used a form letter and had the presidency all sign it.
! Ward directory
! Lesson schedule
! RS bulletin or calendar of events
! Family Proclamation
! The Living Christ testimonial
! Pamphlets (individualized for each woman or family , such as: Cornerstones of a Happy Home, Our Family, One for the Money, How to Talk to Your Teenager) available at the Distribution Center
! Presidency phone numbers (made small and placed in business card insert insider folder)
! Quote and poem for Young Women (see below)
You are now a part of Relief Society
But don’t start to run.
We’re not old “fuddy-duddies”
So come join the fun!
It’s hard to leave Young Women’s
We know, we’ve been there.
We thought we’d reach out and tell you
WE CARE!
By meeting with us you’ll learn a lot of
ways
To improve your life so you’ll have
better days.
We will try to help you fit right in
We can’t wait until you begin!
WELCOME!
“Young Women: Attend Relief Society when you reach you 18th
birthday. Some of you may be reluctant
to make that transition. You may fear
that you won’t fit in. My young
sisters, this is not the case. There is
much in Relief Society for you. It can
be a blessing to you throughout your life.”
--
Robert D. Hales
How about a “Heart Attack”?!
Before new Beehives come into Young Women’s, they need to feel like they will belong. In our ward we decorate each new girl’s bedroom My Beehive girls love giving this service. This is a great idea for a weekday activity.
Suggestions:
1. Call mother of a new girl and arrange to decorate her bedroom sometime when she’s not home.
2. Make a “Welcome to Young Women” poster (made and signed by each Beehive girl.).
3. Make as many cut outs of hearts as you can in different sizes to be spread around the room (on walls, in drawers, in shoes). Many of the hearts need “It’s a Heart Attack” written on them, or try adding miniature Mormon Ads to some of the hearts.
4. Find out the new girl’s favorite candy or just use inexpensive penny candy and spread it around the room.
Decorating the room is a good thing to do before all of the
Young Women booklets are given to the new girl. In our ward, this is usually done by the Beehive’s individual Personal
Progress leader.
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A tisket, a tasket, a cute little welcoming basket!
Young ones are our sisters, too! At the age of eight when girls enter the Achievement Days program, they might feel more welcomed if something special is done just for them. A cute basket or packet made for her might be just the thing.
Suggestions for Basket:
Line basket with a cute fabric and add:
1. Achievement Days booklet
2. Upcoming Achievement Days events
3. Leaders names and phone numbers
4. Welcoming letter from leader
5. Scripture stickers. A lot of girls get new scriptures for their eighth birthday. Stickers might be a fun new thing for them.
6. Favorite candy of new girl
7. Small gift and letter from parent (may be a miniature Primary Song Book or Hymn Book).
8. Article of Faith card
Our stake has an “Eight is Great” event for all kids turning
eight that year. This might be a
fun idea on the ward level at an Achievement Days activity.
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