Prepared by Trustee Jennifer Smith, Spring 2024

Patterson Grove Camp Meeting is a cooperative community that relies on its members to help keep the organization running smoothly. Service is the way that we give back to God in the form of sharing the gifts that He has given us. This is also the best way to get to know your community and its members and help out with one or more of our activities. Please take a few minutes to check out the many opportunities available and explore how you feel best able to help Patterson Grove. There are lots of ways to be involved and we look forward to working together!

Join a Trustee Committee— There are four main committees at Patterson Grove:

Buildings and Grounds
The Buildings and Grounds Committee makes sure all structures are safe and the  property is well manicured. Building permits are issued for all outside changes to cottages including painting and structural changes.

Administrative
The Administrative Committee updates our Social Media presence and supports the Trustees as needed. They act as a liaison to the general public by posting upcoming events in local businesses and getting the word out about our activities.

Water
The Water Committee works closely with the Pennsylvania Water Authority and local water companies to ensure that our water supply is ample and safe for consumption. Water tests are completed several times a year and start up/shut down procedures are followed to minimize pipe damage over the winter.

Worship
The Worship Committee researches staff and music selections for future Campmeetings. They meet an average of twice monthly to discuss paid staff positions and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

Fellowship Committee

All cottageholders are members of the Fellowship Committee which is presided over by an elected Chairperson and Secretary. The Chairperson coordinates three annual Fellowship Committee luncheons and meetings, summer music programs, Vespers services, fundraising dinners, the annual flea market, and is a liaison for the cottageholders with the Board of Trustees. The Secretary takes minutes and presents them at the next Fellowship meeting.

Vespers
Vesper Services are offered at the Tabernacle every Sunday evening in the summer months, outside of Campmeeting. Volunteers are needed as greeters, ushers, collection counters, and a bell ringer. 

Help out during Campmeeting— Campmeeting is an annual event lasting 15 days. 

VBS
Vacation Bible School runs Monday through Friday from 9:15 to 11:30AM, with afternoon activities offered as well, for children age four through sixth grade. Games, crafts, music and dancing, and Bible lessons are taught daily. We welcome people interested in teaching or assisting with groups of children at VBS!

Sunday School
Sunday School classes are offered for children, youth, and adults on the three Sundays of Campmeeting. Each group requires one teacher and helper. 

Worship Opportunities
Evening services at the Tabernacle begin at 7:15PM. Volunteers are needed as greeters, ushers, collection counters, and a bell ringer every night. 

Food Service—Patterson Grove offers Snack Bar and Kitchen services:

Snack Bar
The Snack Bar is open during Campmeeting every day but Sunday from noon to 1:30PM, and again after evening church services until 10:00PM. Volunteer opportunities for grill cooks, ice cream scoopers, order takers, and cashier are available during open hours. Additionally, the Snack Bar is open on weekends during the summer months after evening music programs and services.

Food Service General
The kitchen is run by an individual or group during Campmeeting. Fifteen evening meals and two Sunday noon dinners are provided by the cook and kitchen staff. This is a paid position and a job description is available upon request.

Fellowship opportunities— All cottageholders are members of the Fellowship Committee.

Public Dinners
Three public dinners are offered throughout the summer. Help is needed to prepare food in advance, set up and wait on tables, clean up the dining room and kitchen, and manage the cash box.

Music Fest
Music programs are offered every Saturday evening in the summer months, outside of Campmeeting. Volunteers are needed as greeters, ushers, collection counters, and a bell ringer at each program.

Flea Market
The Flea Market is an opportunity to buy and sell items at the Boardinghall and individual cottages. A volunteer is needed to head up this endeavor and organize all of the sale booths. Cottageholders are able to sell items at their cabins or help with items at the Boardinghall and Centennial Shoppe. Help is needed to set up and take down the displays as well as manage the cash box.

Centennial Shoppe
The Centennial Shoppe is a place where gently used items can be donated for resale. Help is needed to stock the shop, store excess merchandise, and act as clerk. The Centennial Shoppe is open during Campmeeting and after evening services during the summer months. All proceeds from the Centennial Shoppe are donated back to the Fellowship Committee.

Grounds Maintenance— Patterson Grove owns a variety of lawn maintenance equipment.

Mowing and Trimming
The grounds require regular mowing and trimming during the summer months. If you are interested in helping out with this chore, please see a Trustee for more information.

Garden Club
All Cottageholders are members of the Garden Club. The members beautify the grounds of Patterson Grove by providing potted plants at the Boardinghall and Tabernacle, planting flowers throughout the grounds, weeding flower beds, and watering plants throughout the summer. All purchases made by Garden Club members must be preapproved by the Trustees.

Minor Repairs and Upkeep Projects
The grounds have several public areas that occasionally need attention or repairs. Painting benches and handrails, mending the fencing in the Pumphouse Circle, filling potholes in the road, and raking sand at the volleyball court are a few projects that might need a helping hand. 

Spring Clean Up
The Cottageholders work together each spring to get our beloved Patterson Grove ready for the season. Tarps are removed from the stage area and sound equipment is rehung in the Tabernacle, broken branches and sticks are removed from the grounds, playground equipment is restored, rocking chairs are moved to the Boardinghall porch, sand toys and chairs are moved to the pond area, and the ping pong table is set up in the rec hall. Lunch is provided by the Trustees for all helpers!

Fall Clean Up
The community works together to put Patterson Grove to bed for the winter months. The Tabernacle stage is covered with drop cloths, speakers and piano are put into storage, leaves are raked and mulched, broken branches and sticks are picked up, playground equipment is put on the Boardinghall porch, rocking chairs are moved to the Snack Shop, sand toys and beach chairs are moved to the storage shed behind the rec hall, and the ping pong table is pushed to the back wall of the rec hall. Lunch is provided by the Trustees for all helpers!

Elected Positions—

Patterson Grove is governed by a seven member Trustee body who are vetted by a six person Nominating Committee.

Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is composed of six cottageholders who are voted on at the Annual Meeting. The purpose of the committee is to vet out potential candidates for the position of Trustee. 

Trustees
The Board of Trustees is composed of seven cottageholders who are voted on at the Annual Meeting. The Trustees work together to ensure that Patterson Grove is financially solvent and a safe haven for all.

Secretary to the Trustees and Treasurer—- These positions include a small stipend.

Secretary to the Trustees
The Secretary takes minutes at all Trustee meetings, including the annual meeting in July. They prepare documents for all meetings, create mailings and correspondence to cottageholders, and collect mail sent to Patterson Grove. The Secretary also prepares all cottage transfer documents and submits them to the county clerk.

Treasurer
There are specialized accounts for Patterson Grove which encompass our corporation’s needs.
The Treasurer assures that all monies collected and spent are put in specific lines of our accounting system.