"Tell me how it really works," she demanded.

Those words launched a discussion about the ins and outs, ups and downs, truths and myths about recruiting volunteers. The words came from a director who was set to deliver a weekend announcement to ask people for help in her ministry. Here's the catch: this will be her ninth consecutive year giving the same appeal. Understandably she feels apprehensive, because she's said it all before. Multiple times, in fact.

"Always include the two secret ingredients to successful volunteer recruiting," I replied. Her attention piqued. Hopefully yours has, too.

After years of leading ministries desperately dependent on volunteers, reading books and articles from recruiting gurus (proven or self-proclaimed), and looking potential volunteers in the eyes, two elements have emerged as mission-critical to me.

One without the other will work … sort of. Use them both, however, and you can nearly guarantee great results. (Please notice the word "nearly," which ...