Mind Your Manners
| Give each a name tag as they enter the "mission". Opening Song - "Called to Serve". Open by thanking them all for accepting their mission calls and that you know they are going to do a great job! Tell them, "I can't lie, this is going to be a tough mission! We have a serious situation in our "zone" with a group of missionaries who just don't understand the mission rules and we need your help. I have a game plan that I think will work - here it is! (Then uncover a big poster that has the schedule on it from the lesson). Ask if anyone has any suggestions on how to implement this. You might even write a letter (have other leaders write help write them) from the Mission President telling them how much you appreciate the strength and dedication they show in ________________. (A good time to use positive reinforcement) For an activity to reinforce - you could have a "Mind Your Manners" night. There is a great song called "Mythical Mealtime Bliss" from Singin' Smart that would be a lot of fun to have a couple of youth perform. and then have a fun activity focusing on manners. If you are unfamiliar with the song, here is just a portion "Mealtime can be happy if you follow certain rules. Like first of all ask Heavenly Father's blessing on the food. With napkin and your helping hand put safely on your lap, just use some care and you may fare a meal without mishap! "Please and thank you, May I have?" "What a love-ly meal!" "Seconds on the vegetable" How good the cook will feel! Ne-ver take a bite so big you have to stuff your mouth. And never put a full fork in and put it half-full out! Chew slowly and chew quietly. Each bite will taste so good! Then ask to be excused and clear your dishes if you should. "Please and Thank you" "May I have" What a lovely meal! Seconds on those vegetables. How good a few good manners make me feel! Yeah! Anyway, there are three verses - cute, cute, song. My in-laws have served several missions and also served as the Mission President of the Anchorage Alaska mission. They have often told us so many missionaries come into the field not having very good table manners. Like remembering not to eat dessert until the hostess has taken the first bite.....taking only enough to make sure there is enough for everyone....saying please and thank you.... little things that can make a big difference in the impressions missionaries leave with people.
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