I’m experimenting with video blogging as a communication tool to promote serving opportunities. Check out my first efforts under the “Watch our videos” heading here. My criteria for success are that I can be reasonably ‘myself’ on camera, that itRead more…
A Question: Where’s the Joy?
I’ve got a question. “Do you have any articles about serving with joy? I feel some of our teams around here are in a slump.” — from Carolyn at a church in Wisconsin Response Thanks for asking, Carolyn. It’s anRead more…
Good Stuff: Are You Wearing Your Oxygen Mask?
Self-care is important for all of us, but especially so for those who lead volunteers. If we don’t “put on your own oxygen mask first . . .” we’ll hinder and hurt (and probably lose) the volunteers who work withRead more…
Reporting and Accountability for Volunteers
Holding Volunteers Accountable We in the church, in general, don’t have our volunteers do nearly as much reporting as do other nonprofits in general. But this article, Accountability and Reporting, is still useful for ideas on easy ways to getRead more…
Good stuff: Settling for less?
Are You Settling for Less? Do those of us who are employed by, or volunteering for, churches settle for less when it comes to our own needs? When we, or our ministry we lead, has a need, and there’s aRead more…
Want Volunteers? Throw a Party!
Ministry fairs are popular church volunteer recruitment events. Each ministry (such as Sunday school, food pantry, the garden club, etc.) prepares and mans a table. People stroll around the room, viewing the volunteer opportunities, and signing up if interested. EffectiveRead more…
Time & Talent & Spiritual Gift Surveys
Time and talent surveys and spiritual gift inventories are two common data-gathering tools in churches. Information about a volunteer’s skills, spiritual gifts, and preferences is always helpful. It allows us to direct our recruitment effort to those most likely toRead more…
Former Volunteers as Friends
Susan Ellis wrote a great post on “Keeping Former Volunteers as Long-term Friends.” If you lead volunteers in a particular ministry at your church, think of that ministry as your ‘organization.’ If you’re a pastor or staff leader, think ofRead more…
Want Volunteers? Get to Know New Members
Talked to a new member lately? New members make great volunteers. They’re excited about their new church. They want to get to know others, and they recognize serving as a great way to build relationships. Most are open to gettingRead more…
Want Volunteers? Consider Your In’s and Out’s
An intriguing way to grow volunteerism at church involves looking at the “in’s” and “out’s” — people volunteering inside, and outside, your church’s walls. What’s the ratio of inside/outside volunteering at your church? List all your volunteer opportunities, noting whichRead more…
Good Stuff: Thanking Volunteers
“Thank You” offers thoughts, discussion and links on thanking volunteers. It includes the surprising observation from research that while “over 60% of organisations are holding formal gatherings to thank volunteers, . . . less than 20% of volunteers like toRead more…
Good Stuff: Helping Men Serve
What percentage of your volunteers are men? What types of volunteer opportunities do we offer for men? I asked myself these questions while reading “Men Adrift,”a thoughtful, and lengthy, article on how cultural and technology changes have affected men withRead more…
Recruiting 101: Want Volunteers? Avoid This
“Help! We need more volunteers!” You hear that a lot around churches. If you’re working with volunteers, you probably don’t have enough. It’s true whether you are a pastor, church staff or a volunteer yourself. Volunteer recruitment is not onlyRead more…
Recruiting 101: Want Volunteers? Spell It Out
If you were looking for work, would you be interested in a job where the responsibilities were only vaguely described, where hours and benefits weren’t mentioned at all, and no one had clear answers to your questions? Me neither. YetRead more…
Recruiting 101: Want Volunteers? Invite Them
Recruitment is invitation. When you recruit, you invite someone to consider an opportunity to serve. Remembering this truth makes the process easier, more pleasant and more effective. Party invitations are attractive and are sent well in advance to a selectRead more…