Devotional thought:
The frustration from setting up, getting ready, the stress… is it worth it?
See Ephesians 2:10
Volunteers – How to Get Them & Keep Them (Hal)
Old School – Train them and then that is how you keep them.
Newer Thought – Fit their gifts and that keeps them.
How do you get them? – Grab one person and ask them if they would do something, anything, then follow up and find out where they would like serve. Just go up and shoulder tap someone for jobs. Even guests! But it works better when you have a relationship with the person. Intentionally build a relationship with people from week to week and then go for the ask. As you get to know them you will find out where their skills are. Takes a connecter (personality) in each ministry area to grab and greet the people. You have to turn stuff over to people who can enlist people. It is also tough to recruit people for another ministry. AND, don’t be afraid to tell people exactly how you want things when you ask them. AND, don’t be afraid to ask people who are already doing things, don’t say “no” to God for them…
YOU HAVE TO GET BEYOND THE FEAR OF PEOPLE SAYING “NO”. 10 – 3 – 1 principle. It will take 10 prospects to get 3 potential to get 1 good volunteer.
Bill Hybels book “Volunteer Revolution” is good.
(Side Note: One of the great things about set up and tear down. You get to see who people are)
5 MOTIVATORS for VOLUNTEERS
Maximize THESE
M – Meaning. Are people finding meaning in what they are doing?
D – Dignity. Are they feeling dignified? Are you treating them as an equal?
C – Community. Are they connecting with people as a team and w/ the leader?
Optimize THESE once you get to know them…
I – Influence. Do they have the ear of the leadership?
G – Growth. Do they see growth personally or volunteer wise (responsibility)?
The Reward – Does the reward cost them something. Coming out to the church another night is not a reward. Gift cards are a reward! Thank you’s are a reward. Public thank you’s are a reward.
The Reward – Why did your staff first volunteer? Give that to your current volunteers!
