Strengthen your core team through good management to ensure stability. And keep your attitude in check when volunteers do go.
If you have volunteers who you know can make a significant impact on your work in ministry, then treat them like valued employees, which means giving them a good orientation, having job descriptions, and being clear so they know what’s expected of them. Make sure they understand the big impact of what they’re doing. When that inevitable turnover happens, make sure new volunteers also understand what they’re going to be doing, what’s expected, and the impact they’re going to have. This seems simple, but it’s a huge issue.
Turnover happens, whether it’s with volunteers or employees. Even in very large organizations, at some point, it breaks down to the guy in Pascagoula, Mississippi, who has a small team. He’s trying to manage his volunteers, and sometimes his attitude might be, “Man, some of these volunteers are more trouble than they’re worth!” That mindset is an easy trap to fall into, but we have to always be very, very careful to not fall into it because that attitude shows.
We have to build into a set of core folks. Getting your key volunteers in place and training them, giving them a sense of ownership (which means they’ll usually stay longer), and helping them know what they’re doing—that’s the key. The more we invest in them, the more we will realize how beneficial they are to us as an organization. We could not do what we do without volunteers, and most organizations would say that as well. Some will stay with you for the long term and some simply won’t.
Lt. Col. Ron Busroe is the national community relations and development secretary for the Salvation Army.
Volunteers are those very special people our churches and ministries couldn’t function without. Saying thank you is always important, but once in a while, it’s good to go a little further with appreciation. Here are simple, do-it-yourself ways to say thank you to your beloved volunteers.
1. Birthday Baskets
Personalize birthday baskets for your volunteers. A chocolate bar, notepad, notepaper, lotion, movie tickets, and other small items are easy to gather and arrange in a gift basket along with a birthday note of thanks. These gifts are perfect for recognizing volunteer birthdays.
2. Volunteer of the Month
By spotlighting a volunteer of the month, your entire church will know how amazing your volunteers are. A special bulletin board, Facebook group post, or announcement recognizing the individual is a great way to draw attention to the person’s efforts and to your ministry as a whole.
3. Day Off
Everyone needs a break from time to time, including volunteers. Give the gift of appreciation with a “day off” pass. Simply attach the pass to your volunteer’s schedule and invite him or her to choose the day off and let you know.
4. Book of Kids’ Quotes
Volunteers will cherish the gift of an inspirational book of quotes from your kids. Have kids each write (or write for them if they’re too young) what they like best about that person. Collect the quotes and attach them with ribbon. This simple but very special gift will remind your volunteers why they spend their free time with the kids at church.
5. Prayer Rocks
These are a great way to remind volunteers that you pray for them regularly. Have kids paint or decorate a plain wooden box. Next, help them collect smooth stones and write Bible references on each one. Select inspirational, comforting, and loving verses. Then pray together for all the volunteers in your ministry. Place the box in a central location of your ministry, and invite volunteers to each take a stone as a reminder that kids and ministry leaders pray for them.
6. “Volunteer Sunday”
A church is all about fellowship, family, and celebrating together. Why not invite your entire congregation to worship together on a Sunday? Organize a “Volunteer Sunday” to include your entire congregation to worship together and thank volunteers for their time. The sermon might be centered on giving to and serving others. The choir and children might orchestrate a song of gratitude. You could have a special prayer that kids lead for volunteers. The possibilities are many!
Hilary Roming is a children’s minister and writer living in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
