Why Recruiting Volunteers Now Is More Important Than Ever

Did you know that NOW and not this summer is the perfect time to recruit people for your program? You might think I’m crazy, but hear me out on this.

Yes, people have a lot on their plate and they are just trying to survive the madness. BUT, if you took the next 4 weeks to start a recruiting strategy it would work because:

PEOPLE ARE MORE MOTIVATED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN THE NEW YEAR

Think about all the goals and resolutions people make each year:

• Get Healthy
• Get Organized
• Live Life To The Fullest
• Learn New Hobbies
• Save More/Spend Less
• Travel More
• Read More (for more on this check out this article from NBC HERE)

While it’s not in the top 10 list serving in ministry does help with a few of the above mentioned. You know that serving helps your relationship with Christ and that you get a lot more out of it then you give.

Use this time of year to talk to people about considering serving as an item they could add to their new year resolution.

THERE IS PLENTY OF MARGIN BETWEEN NOW AND THE FALL

The reason we rarely think about recruiting this time of year is because the need isn’t as great as it is in late summer. But, what makes this a bigger opportunity is because of all the margin you have.

When it comes to building a volunteer team you not only need time to recruit but to train them. Think about entering the summer with a full stacked team and all you have to do is train them?

It would be awesome to use those summer months to:

• Build community
• Help volunteers get comfortable with different procedures
• Train them on heavy subjects like teens who are hurting 

With the margin your team will be motivated to start serving making your fall kickoff that much better.

IT’S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEM EXPERIENCE WITHOUT COMMITMENT

It’s more difficult to recruit late Spring and Summer because our programs are on BREAK or they look a lot differently. When you recruit around Advent you can invite them to “CHECK OUT” the ministry while it’s in full swing.

This invite gives them the opportunity to feel the energy and get a sense of what a commitment entails. It’ll be an easier decision because they won’t have to deal with the unknown.

YOU CAN FOCUS ON BEING CAPTIVATING AND NOT DESPERATE

Not only does it give you margin to train your team but the margin to have peace of mind. Instead of asking out of desperation you will have the ability to inspire.

Use this season to iron out your vision and share it with others. Clarify the “WHY” behind serving so that people want to jump on board. Set up times in the new year to grab a cup of coffee or bite to eat so that you can be relational in your pitch.

Yes, people are busy and might not be able to fully grasp what you are asking, but that shouldn’t stop you. Even if they can’t commit you are planting seeds.

Start asking people to consider serving so that when you do need to push they are ready. They’ll be able to take what you are saying seriously leading to less turnover and a more enthusiastic commitment.

What has worked for you when it comes to recruiting people during Advent?