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Finding (and Keeping) Happy Volunteers
Don't loose your volunteers to burnout.
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Does the prospect of recruiting volunteer help make you shudder? Sometimes it almost seems easier to handle the task yourself instead of trying to find someone else to do it. However, that line of thinking may be unfair to two people—you, and the person who never is asked to do the job. If you take on too many extra duties, you will soon feel overburdened, perhaps even resentful. Moreover, if you do not ask that other person, he may be missing a valuable opportunity to serve. Finding and keeping satisfied volunteers does not have to be an impossible task. Here are three simple guidelines to make the recruiting job easier:
If you approach prospective volunteers sincerely and enthusiastically, keeping these guidelines in mind, you should have some positive responses. 1. Match the worker's abilities to the job Let them know that you sincerely appreciate their abilities and have a real need for their help. If Mrs. Smith has a reputation for bringing good cookies to church dinners, why not ask her to help with the cookie ministry to first-time visitors? Do you need someone to take charge of a resource room of teaching materials? That sounds like a job for someone who has good organizational skills. Are you in desperate need of costumes? Surely, you need someone who sews, or who sewed years ago. This may be just the job for a person who can handle a sewing machine but does not get out much. Who would be the logical person to call and remind people of upcoming committee meetings? Someone who likes to talk on the telephone might be glad to take on that task. If you are not sure about people's interests, try doing an interest survey. Insert simple forms in the Sunday bulletin and ask people to check or list the things they like to do. Be sure to have them include their names so you can contact them. Organize the survey results on a computer or in a card file box. List all those who are interested in teaching, and make a note of what age they prefer to teach. Make similar lists of those who want to help with everything else you can think of: food, carpentry, driving, music, etc. An organized system makes it easier to remember people's interests. Keep your lists updated as new people come, or as you learn of additional interests. 2. Be honest, and keep your promises If you tell Jim that you only need him to teach the junior high boys class for six weeks, keep your word to him. Better not trust your memory on this one, although Jim will likely remember. It is best to immediately write it on your calendar, and talk to Jim before the six weeks is up. Then if you do not have another teacher to take over at the end of the six weeks, you will have time to look for one. Perhaps by that time Jim will want to stay with the class if you need him. |             |
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