THE END ISN’T THE END UNLESS YOU ARE QUITTING!

VBS  isn’t over until the final report is completed. The report should state what went well and what needs to be improved, changed or eliminated.  If you really want to get better, don’t just talk to each other, follow an organized evaluation process.

DID WE MEET OUR GOALS FOR VBS?

We need to get verbal comments and written responses to short, one-page questionnaires.  Make diligent efforts to get feedback from a variety of sources.

1       Children

2       Volunteers

3       Family members

4       Church  members

Think about the goal for the children.

Did you feel any new or improved relationship with Jesus  Christ?

Are you glad you came to  VBS?

Do you want to come to VBS next year?

Will you try to bring a friend with you next year?

Consider the volunteers.

• Do you feel a closer relationship with Jesus Christ?

• Are you glad you volunteered to help with VBS?

• Would you like to volunteer to help with VBS next year?

• What about family members?

• Did the child or children seem happy to go to VBS?

• Did the child look forward to VBS every day?

• Did the child talk about stories about Jesus?

• Will you encourage the children to go to VBS next year?

• Think about church members.

• Did you have a chance to observe VBS in action?

• What did you hear GOOD  about VBS?
• What, if anything,  did you hear BAD hear about VBS?

• Should the church have a VBS  next year?

The next decision is how to phrase the question. Keep in mind that young children may need help with the questions. Their responses are important too.  A format that seems to work well is a series of four or five faces expressing weeping, sadness,  straight face, smiling face and very happy face.  The child circles the face that describes how they feel.

Older children and adults can just put an “X” on a line drawn between the two extremes, very happy and very sad.

Try to avoid formats that ask for yes or no responses.

The evaluation should also have a section that gives the person a chance to answer open-ended questions.  Here are some sample items:

·        What did you like most about VBS?

·        What did you like least about VBS?

·        What would you suggest we change for next year? How would you change the Bible study program?

·        How would you change the recreation program?

·        Can you suggest ways to improve our organization?

·        What can we do to improve our publicity and child recruitment?

·        What can we do to ensure Jesus Christ stays the focus of the VBS program?

NOTE – these are just suggestions.  Design your form to get you the information you need.  Remember, this is YOUR program. Use these tools and ideas to make it better.

A lot of people stop here.

“DON’T TAKE THIS ACTION UNLESS YOU ARE COMMITTED TO ACT ON  THE  RESULTS “

Share the results, don’t keep them secret.  Congregations support spiritually and financially the things they understand.

The purpose of the evaluation is to see what went well. You also need to know what can be improved, what you can do better. Carefully consider all suggestions and make changes in organization, timing, content,   and emphasis that you feel will be beneficial for a future VBS.

Have the forms printed and ready to use the last day of VBS for the children and volunteers?  Church members can complete their forms the following Sunday.

Don’t Delay this process.   Getting good results depends on good timing.

Oh, the best time to design the evaluation forms is before VBS when you are setting the VBS goals.  The

goals establish where you are going.

The evaluation tells you whether or not you get there.