With schools letting out, it’s tempting to shut things down in the summer, plan a few camps, and rest before the fall season roars into our lives. And while summer should is filled with memories, it is also a great time to recruit and train volunteers because:
Schedules Open Up And Change: What was once a conflict during the school year is now open in the summer. Take advantage of the margin many create in the summer months.
People Are Thinking About The Fall: Families are already trying to figure out how school and activities will take form. If kids are signing up to play sports, you can bet their parents are thinking about coaching, don’t be afraid to ask for the same commitment as you launch registration for your programs.
You Can Be More Creative With Your Gatherings: You can hold training outside or host recruiting events like a barbecue or picnic. Incorporate some games, think summer and have fun.
Summer is not the only time to recruit volunteers, but it is a crucial opportunity; however, no matter when you recruit volunteers make sure you do the following:
PROVIDE THE WHY
Sharing with potential (and even current) volunteers why your ministry matters fuels their motivation. You can share the why through a vision statement or invite kids, teens, or parents to share their witness stories. Talk about the impact ministry has on the lives of others and its connection to the mission God has set forth for the Church.
GIVE THEM CLEAR ROLES
It’s never clear what serving in children or youth ministry looks like; therefore, the mystery can be an obstacle to why someone gets involved. Make sure you give them a job description wherein one or two sentences explain why and what they do. Next, provide 3-5 tasks they must accomplish to be successful. When they know what they have to do, it’ll be easier to decide whether they want to do it.
TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THEIR JOURNEY
Most people get involved in ministry because they want to impact others; however, rarely do they think about the life change that will happen within them. As you recruit people, share how you plan to invest in them as a leader. Additionally, talk about how your life has changed while serving in the Church.
Serving in the local church is not only an opportunity to give but to receive the graces that come from living out God’s great commandment. Make sure you highlight that for your potential volunteers so that they see serving as a step in their discipleship.
It’s summer, and you should have fun, but do not forget to connect with the men, women, and teens who can help your ministry grow. Make sure you do the work now so that you are not scrambling in the fall. And if you need help with building a dynamic team of volunteers, on June 15, we’ll be opening up enrollment for our Master Class through MYMU. For more information, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter HERE or visit our cohorts page HERE.
What does recruiting look like for you this summer?