Some "RALLY" comments originally posted by Neil MacQueen

It may be that Sunday Schools which take the summer OFF, may have a greater need for RALLYING in the Fall. (Some congregations have a habit of taking the summer off too!)

My sense is that the idea of "starting dates" to rally around have grown less important in today's culture.  Why? Many families and children today lead busier summer schedules than in the past. Many schools start in mid-August. And PEAK attendance in many churches has slipped later in the Fall, --meaning "September startup" is less a psychological factor.

Is "Rallying" for the kids or adults?  Good question!  The workshops in the Rotation Model are so cool (if done right), that the kids may not need the hoopla.  So I would tend to agree that RALLYING is more for the parents and congregation.

"Rally Day" may be a tradition that works well in churches which know how to throw a party, and where the adult have a tradition of attending them. But I know in some churches that is not the case.  As for "introducing adults to rotation" -perhaps true intergenerational learning events are better. 

As well, there may be a greater need these days for SEVERAL RALLYING POINTS throughout the year. 

Tip:  

If you invite adults to visit your workshops during a Rally Day or Open House, make sure your learning activities are LEGIT, and not "LEARNING LITE."  

You want people to get the RIGHT IMPRESSION and not reinforce any suspicions that Sunday School is just about making the kids happy.