"I Collect" Name Cards

Getting over shyness and getting acquainted are often the first hurdles that the members have to get over as the school year begins or a new club starts. You can help get through that period with name tags -- but not just any name tag.

For this purpose, you'll need a 3x5 card that has room for a name and a stamp or two; something like the illustration. You can use them until everyone in the club knows everyone else, or even bring them out when a guest speaker comes. Attach them to a pocket with a small bulldog clip or even a paper clip.

The stamps should be picked by the members to signify a country or a topic they particularly like. Take this opportunity to show the members how to hinge a stamp properly, and you can turn the making of the "I collect..." name cards into a fun and educational activity.

And as the members participate in the activity together, especially the selection of stamps to display, they'll forget their shyness and take some first steps in getting to know each other.

(We wish to thank the U.S. Postal Service for permission
to utilize this game originally published in its
Ben Franklin Stamp Club's "Leader Feature" newsletter.)