Pre-Season – August

• New Season Reboot. Gather your men. (Have a BBQ with all the men and boys.) Enlist new leaders, determine the leadership team, estimate the number of boys and the ministry programs needed.
• Expect the CSB Unit Membership Registration Package to arrive at the church office in August. Please complete the forms and return them to the CSB Head Office in Windsor ON before the end of September to take advantage of the FREE Training Offer.
• Prepare Early Registration opportunities for the boys and their families.
• Plan out the Big Picture for coming CSB season.
• Don’t Brigade Alone. Encourage one of your men to represent your church and CSB Unit on the local CSB Area or Regional Committee. Expect 5 or 6 Committee Meetings a season.
• Sponsor a Brother Brigade Unit in your Area, Region, or Nation.
• Support the work of CSB Canada as it helps other churches develop their opportunities to build men who build boys and young men for Christ. Money is helpful. Time is even better.
• Expect a call from your CSB Regional Director or Staff Associate in August or early September. Tell him how CSB can help you achieve your goals. Let him know what resources you need, especially Stockade Modules and Battalion Missions. Give him an update on your program status and leadership changes.

CSB STORE: Check out the CSB Online Store for new items and resources.

Read the Season Kick Off edition of BRIGADE LEADER e-MAGAZINE for reminders about getting off to a great start. Watch for it in early August.

Fall – September to December

• Get off to a quick start. Schedule your CSB Registration Week for the week following the first week of school. Start the regular meetings the week after that. Encourage your church to have a Church Ministries Sunday around the same time. Help families choose Christ-centred options for their active kids… and parents.
  
• Complete the forms of the CSB Unit Membership Registration Package. They should have arrived in August. Return them to the CSB Head Office before the end of September and receive CSB’s FREE Training Offer in October/November. Due date for Registration is October 31st, along with the Annual Fee.
• Fall Kick Off. Attend a Special Event together with your Unit – a professional football, baseball or hockey game. Build your team spirit. Ask the team’s Chaplain to say “Hi” to your group in the stands.
• Present your ministry needs to the congregation and enlist prayer partners for the boys.
• Order materials from CSB’s Online Store for your program needs.
• Make a week or two in October about THANKSGIVING.
• CSB Men’s Morning Workout. Plan to attend an online or in-person CSB training event for leaders of boys AND men in October/November.
• Give the arrival of Jesus on earth special attention in December. Have a Christ-centred Christmas party.

CSB STORE: Check out the CSB Online Store for Start-Up Specials. CSB’s Warehouse tries to have good prices for common items at the beginning of the CSB season.

Read the September Men in Ministry e-Newsletter for ideas and opportunities to get your men engaged in DOING God’s Work.

Catch up with the latest CSB news in the CSB Fall Newsletter in early October.

CSB Leaders, be on the lookout for the BRIGADE LEADER Fall Mailing in early November.

December is the month that we celebrate Christ’s arrival on earth. Be watching for CSB’s Christmas Mailing and Valor Magazine.

Winter – January to March

• Have each CSB key leader meet individually with the church Brigade Chairman to discuss how their ministry is going and their needs – Tree Climbers, Stockade and Battalion.
• Hold a January Mid-Season Ministry Evaluation Meeting with the program leaders. Evaluate and make improvements.
• February is Brigade Month. Make plans for a CSB Sunday to highlight the work of the CSB ministries and their accomplishments to the congregation.
• Start working on a Ministry Budget for the next year.
• Attend the CSB BLAST Event in your area. It’s sponsored by the CSB Regional Staff.
• Use local CSB activities and competitions to build your boys’ enthusiasm.
• Send Battalion leaders to a CSB Noncom Conference. (Sponsor them partially, if possible, from your CSB budget.) This may include a National/International Zoom Noncom Event.
• Encourage your men to attend an Iron Sharpens Iron Equipping Men’s Conference in your area. It’s sponsored by the CSB, and it may be available online.
• March is Spring Break. Consider holding a special meeting the the boys who are staying at home.
• Invest two or three weeks to prepare your group for Easter.

CSB STORE: It’s time to order your StocKar Kits and StocKar Derby resources. Be sure to include your Battalion guys and adult leaders, as well as your Tree Climbers using Lego BlocKars. Be watching for some new warehouse items and other resources.

 Watch for the BRIGADE LEADER Mid-Season e-BLAST in early January. It should include ideas for Brigade Month, StocKars and Training.

The Mid-January Men in Ministry e-Newsletter helps Men’s Groups gear-up for the winter and spring push, when men grow in the doing of their faith.

Read about the latest CSB news in the CSB BRIGADE MONTH Newsletter in early February.

Be sure to read the March Men in Ministry e-Newsletter for ideas and opportunities to build your men in Christ through your Men’s Group and Men’s Conferences in your area.

Spring – April to June

• Be prepared to give Easter special attention.
• Help plan and participate in a Spring Expedition Hike with the boys and young men.
• Set the date for your final meeting of the CSB Season. Remember that not all boys get involved in secular sports programs, and that there are fewer spaces available in these programs each year. Aim for the week before Father’s Day and do something special with the Dads.
• Have a Brigade Banquet with your boys and their families the week after your closing meeting.
• Organize an All-Church Father & Son TOUGH GUYS Campout for your boys and men.
• Schedule and prepare for the season-ending activities for each of your groups. Make the final meetings of each Brigade year amazing!
• Hold a Ministry Evaluation Meeting immediately following the CSB season (forms are available from CSB).
• Propose ideas for activities and events for next year. Regional event dates are available from CSB.
• Talk with parents about having their boys attend a Brigade Camp or a Boys’ Camp this summer.
• Plan at least One Summer Activity for boys and men.
• Encourage leaders to sign-up for next season.
• Determine leader vacancies to be filled by fall.
• Wrap up all financial obligations and accounts.
• Prepare the Budget for the coming CSB program year.
• Give a written CSB Report to your pastor and the church office. Send a copy to CSB.
• Coordinate with the girls’ program and other family ministries for Fall Start-Up Date.

CSB STORE: Check online for Badges, Awards and Thank-You Gifts. Honour your veteran leaders; encourage your exemplary boys and young men.

And think ahead – ask the CSB Warehouse about unusual items that your group may want for next season.

 Watch for the BRIGADE LEADER Season Wind-Up e-BLAST in early April. It will encourage your groups to end well with a Banquet, Campout, Expedition, ISI, and more.

Watch for the May Men in Ministry e-Newsletter. It helps end the season well. Men still need things to do that draw them to Christ and fellowship throughout the summer months. Finish STRONG. Make Father’s Day important.

Watch for the CSB Season Wrap-Up Newsletter in early June.

Summer – June to August

• Conduct a summer activity to keep in contact with the boys, young men and leaders.
• Recruit new leaders for the Brigade programs.
• Ask CSB Regional Staff about leaders’ Basic and Advanced Leadership Training courses that you’d like.
• Plan & promote program start-up opportunities with key leaders.
• Look for CSB Registration Packages in August.
• Look for any New Resource Notices from the CSB Warehouse.
• Prepare Early Registration opportunities for the boys and their families.

CSB STORE: The CSB Warehouse will be cleaning house. Watch for Clearance Items that you may want.

No news updates are scheduled for July. Call it a holiday, but it’s really a time for us to serve in our local Christian Camps.

CSB Store Opportunities through the Year:

AUGUST Pre-Season: Check out the CSB Online Store for new items and resources.

FALL Start-Up: Check out the CSB Online Store for Start-Up Specials. CSB’s Warehouse tries to have good prices for common items at the beginning of the CSB season.

WINTER Stock-Up: It’s time to order your StocKar Kits and StocKar Derby resources. Be sure to include your Battalion guys and adult leaders, as well as your Tree Climbers using Lego BlocKars. Be watching for some new warehouse items and other resources.

SPRING Wrap-Up: Check online for Badges, Awards and Thank-You Gifts. Honour your veteran leaders; encourage your exemplary boys and young men.

And think ahead – ask the CSB Warehouse about unusual items that your group may want for next season.

SUMMER Clearance: The CSB Store will be cleaning house. Watch for Clearance Items that you may want.

Publications through the Year:

Read the Season Kick Off edition of BRIGADE LEADER e-MAGAZINE for reminders about getting off to a great start. Watch for it in early August.

Read the September Men in Ministry e-Newsletter for ideas and opportunities to get your men engaged in DOING God’s Work.

Catch up with the latest CSB news in the CSB Fall Newsletter in early October.

CSB Leaders, be on the lookout for the BRIGADE LEADER Fall Mailing in early November.

December is the month that we celebrate Christ’s arrival on earth. Be watching for CSB’s Christmas Mailing and Valor Magazine.

 Watch for the BRIGADE LEADER Mid-Season e-BLAST in early January. It should include ideas for Brigade Month, StocKars and Training.

The Mid-January Men in Ministry e-Newsletter helps Men’s Groups gear-up for the winter and spring push, when men grow in the doing of their faith.

Read about the latest CSB news in the CSB BRIGADE MONTH Newsletter in early February.

Be sure to read the March Men in Ministry e-Newsletter for ideas and opportunities to build your men in Christ through your Men’s Group and Men’s Conferences in your area.

 Watch for the BRIGADE LEADER Season Wind-Up e-BLAST in early April. It will encourage your groups to end well with a Banquet, Campout, Expedition, ISI, and more.

Watch for the May Men in Ministry e-Newsletter. It helps end the season well. Men still need things to do that draw them to Christ and fellowship throughout the summer months. Finish STRONG. Make Father’s Day important.

Watch for the CSB Season Wrap-Up Newsletter in early June.