Getting Ready for Fall
Marlene Wilson

The summer hiatus from regular church programs is a perfect time to think through getting ready for the fall rush for volunteers. Let’s explore some of the critical questions.

1. Did you recognize last year’s volunteers as they finished their commitments? If not—it’s not too late. (It’s appalling how many volunteers feel no one even notices or cares they were there!) There are many ways to do this:
• Parties, picnics, or receptions honoring volunteers
• Pins, certificates, or other small recognition gifts
• Writing personal cards and notes (warm and sincere messages from the leaders and pastor)
• Recognition of volunteers as part of the worship service
2. Have you made sure all your volunteer and staff leaders have taken time to express appreciation personally to all their volunteers? They should also ask them for their suggestions and feedback. This is the ideal time to also invite them to serve as volunteers in another ministry that interests them. Also ask if they know of friends or family who’d like to serve.
3. Have your leaders designed written position descriptions for all volunteer roles? If not, you might call a meeting of all the volunteers in each program and have them celebrate their successes, brainstorm how to make the program even better and help design the ministry descriptions. These descriptions are critical for effective recruitment and placement in the fall. Of course, this is also an opportunity to invite those experienced workers to serve on the team again in the fall. Look for new potential leaders in the group.
4. Do you have a year-round recruitment plan? In the last couple of newsletters, I’ve written articles on creative recruitment ideas for summer volunteers. Many of these same techniques will work for the fall! And don’t forget to follow up with your short-term volunteers (teens, families, and newcomers) and invite them to serve in another project or program in the fall. Show them your book or Web site of ministry descriptions, and interview them to discover their interests and passions.
5. In spite of today’s trend toward episodic, short-term volunteering, churches still need longer-term volunteers. How many of these keys to volunteer retention do you have in place?
• Clear expectations: Position descriptions and interviews should honestly answer the question “What am I saying ‘yes’ to?”
• Meaningful work: Be sure that what you’re asking is something worth doing. Tie all positions into your mission statement.
• Training, supervision and staff support: Equip volunteers to succeed.
• Opportunities for volunteer growth and change: Can they move to more responsible jobs?
• Volunteer-friendly culture: Do volunteers feel wanted and valued?

In other words, getting and keeping good volunteers depends on having a sound overall lay ministry program!

Marlene Wilson has written and trained on volunteer issues for 35 years. More than a quarter of a million people have attended her workshops.

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