VOLUNTEERS
- If you have volunteers, here are a couple of points that might help you and your volunteers.
RECRUITING
- Your best volunteers most likely will not offer their services. The won’t visit a booth, kiosk or table. The best people rarely raise their hands. Not because they don’t want to volunteer, contribute or get involved, but because these people are usually being asked by so many people outside of your ministry for their time, the advice and their money. People are just waiting to be asked.
COMMUNICATION
- Vision – Keep the vision clear. Whatever it is you’re asking your volunteers to do, make sure they understand the vision.
- Make sure your volunteers know who your team is (staff, as well as current volunteers) and what are the responsibilities of your team.
- What roles are available – what they might be doing and if there are any special requirements or skills they might need to posses in order to be successful.
- A list of guidelines and functions for the area/position: Guest Services (Information, Parking, etc), Creative, Production, etc.
The church I attend and volunteer (newlifechurch.tv) recently had a “Vision Night” for volunteers involved in Creative. It was awesome! This gave staff (including the Senior Pastor) the opportunity to clearly communicate the vision but, more importantly, it was a time of worship for volunteers – many who are there working each weekend.
- They’re not crazy - I can’t stress this point enough. The occasional reminder by leadership that what they are doing really matters. Most volunteers needs someone to tell them their not crazy for giving their resources (whether time, money, etc). That they’re not crazy for putting in the 10, 15, or 20 hours a week – beyond the 50 or 60 hours they’re probably working.
- Sometimes, people suck! - Feedback & Evaluations. Provide this to your volunteers. This is a critical part of accomplishing your vision. Just as people want praise when they’re doing a good job, most people want to be stretched – to be better at what they do. It doesn’t need to be anything formal. Be creative! If you have ideas on this or have done this – please share.
REMEMBER…..
Your volunteers are just like the individuals who are walking through the doors of your church each weekend. They are looking to connect, have burdens that need to be lifted, prayers that are needed, and they want to experience moments of God visiting – seeing life-change in others and, themselves.
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