There is nothing more frustrating than finding out you could have made one small, timely change that would have made things much better throughout a curriculum unit or ministry season! That's why evaluation is a key to success. But don't just evaluate after completing a unit or season. Good evaluation requires an ongoing process—which will lead a program to maximum effectiveness. You can do that by:

• Evaluating as a team for a few minutes at the close of each week, while impressions remain fresh. Ask "How did we do?" and "Is there anything we can be doing differently to be more effective?"
  
  
• Having the whole team (or at least several team members) participate in problem solving when issues arise.
  
  
• Doing regular check-ins with your volunteers to see how different portions of the weekend program worked. Consider posing the same questions to parents.
  
  
• Asking kids what they like and what they don't like about the service. That's where you'll get the most honest feedback of all!
  
  
• Tending to little problems right away—when they come to your attention—before they become too big to control.