“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 serves as my disclaimer.)
There’s no shortage of smart people producing long studies on volunteerism. But let’s opt instead for a simple, common sense look at an all-too-common ministry challenge. If you need data, Google search “volunteer recruitment tips” and choose from the over 10 million options that appear in the millisecond search. Or, invest a couple more minutes to finish reading this column.
Ingredient #1—Be specific.
Sure, the phrase “If you love kids we’d love your help” sounds sweet. Common sense, though, says sweet won’t move feet. Translation: potential volunteers struggle to identify themselves with a catchy (or corny) line. On the other hand, “We need three male small group leaders willing to invest an hour to make a lifelong difference in the hearts of boys,” might stir a few men to walk your way.
Why? Because when a person can put themselves in a specific role for a moment, they’ll consider saying yes. You will experience the most success when you can describe a specific role. Sure, plenty of material exists that says we should recruit based on spiritual giftedness and not for specific tasks. However, if a person hears an appeal for volunteers with the gift of shepherding, the natural question that pops into mind is: “To do what?”
Once a person expresses interest, make sure to share a more comprehensive role description so they know what they’re saying yes to. Even the gurus will agree to that step.
Ingredient #2—Be a winner.
Of all the treasures a person can give in this world, possibly the most precious is his or her time. In light of that fact, will a person be more likely to invest time in an exciting, successful, Kingdom-building venture—or will they want to drop precious time down a desperate hole? You get the point.
Here’s a bit of wisdom born from painful mistakes: Share good news throughout the year, not just when you have the opportunity to stand in front of the church body. Why? Because if the only time your congregation hears about your Kingdom success is when you’re asking for help, your believability will sink.
So, constantly share about the great work God does in your ministry. When you have a chance to recruit someone, your ministry’s reputation will turn your need into another person’s opportunity to join up where God is clearly at work. Invite people to join a Kingdom adventure and leave “help” for the other ministries to fight over.
This week or next, you can position your ministry as a winner by sharing a story of life change prior to asking for anything—volunteers, budget, facilities, you get the picture.
So what did the director decide to do after our chat about the two secret ingredients? She plans to have a current volunteer share a story about how he’s seen a child’s life change—and how the experience has changed his life, too. The director will then offer the chance for anyone listening to join her team in a similar role, and likely make a life changing difference, too.
It will work well. I guarantee it … nearly.
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David Staal, senior editor of Today’s Children’s Ministry, serves as the president of Kids Hope USA, a national non-profit organization that partners local churches with elementary schools to provide mentors for at-risk students. Prior to this assignment, David led Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois. David is the author of Words Kids Need to Hear (2008) and lives in Grand Haven, MI, with his wife Becky, son Scott, and daughter Erin. Interested in David speaking at your event? Click here
©2009, David Staal
