Volunteers are the lifeblood of your children's ministry, but keeping them can be a real challenge. As the head of the children's ministry department, it is your job to ensure your volunteers feel appreciated, engaged, and valued. As summer begins to peak its head and your volunteers start running for the hills, don't panic! In this week's blog post, check out some fun and creative ways to keep your volunteers coming back for more year-round.
1. Celebrate milestones: Whenever a volunteer reaches a significant milestone (such as 50 hours of service), throw a party or host a special recognition ceremony. Make them feel appreciated and valued for their dedication.
2. Provide snacks: Everyone loves snacks! Stock up on healthy snacks and treats for your volunteers to enjoy during breaks. You can also organize potlucks or snack swaps to encourage volunteers to bond and share their favorite recipes.
3. Create a community: Foster a sense of community among your children's ministry volunteers by organizing social events outside of volunteer hours. This can be anything from a group outing to a volunteer appreciation night or a children's ministry volunteer-only book club.
4. Train, Train, Train!!! Offer as many opportunities for training and development as possible: Many volunteers are looking to gain new skills or experience to be successful in their roles. Consider offering training or workshops that align with your ministry's mission or even tailored training based on volunteers' particular needs.
5. Give swag: Who doesn't love free stuff?!!! Give your volunteers branded merchandise like t-shirts, water bottles, or tote bags. It not only makes them feel appreciated but also serves as a marketing tool for the children's ministry.
6. Provide feedback: Your children's ministry volunteers want to know that their work is making a difference. Make sure to provide regular feedback on their contributions and highlight their achievements. Recognition can go a long way in keeping volunteers motivated.
7. Offer flexible scheduling: Volunteers have busy lives outside of their volunteer work in the children's ministry. Don't over-schedule volunteers. Protect volunteers who struggle to say no by implementing structures and boundaries whereby no one volunteer is overworked.
8. Involve children's ministry volunteers in decision-making: Invite them to provide input on projects, events, or other decisions for the children's ministry. This not only shows that you value their opinion but also gives them a sense of ownership and investment in the children's ministry.
By implementing these ideas, you can create a positive and engaging volunteer experience that keeps your volunteers coming back for more. Remember always to show your volunteers how much you appreciate them and the important work they do.
For more on topics like these, get your copy of CHILDREN'S MINISTRY IN CRISIS Today!
