Creating An On-ramp For New Volunteers

Have you ever walked into a bustling restaurant during the dinner rush, hoping to apply for a job, only to be turned away and asked to return later? While this strategy works for restaurants, the same approach doesn’t quite fit in the realm of church volunteer recruitment. This realization struck me one day as I observed our volunteer training program falling short of expectations.

It was clear that our focus on recruiting new volunteers was overshadowing the crucial aspect of training them effectively. That’s when inspiration struck – why not borrow some strategies from the restaurant industry, where constant training of new staff is a way of life?

Enter Aaron, a former restaurant manager and one of my trusted leaders. I enlisted his expertise to help develop a volunteer training program tailored to our church’s needs. We embarked on a journey to streamline our approach and ensure that every volunteer received the guidance they needed to thrive in their roles.

The cornerstone of our revamped system was the introduction of a volunteer specialist – a dedicated individual tasked solely with recruiting and onboarding new volunteers. This specialist, stationed at every service, became the face of our volunteer program, offering guidance, conducting interviews, and connecting recruits with their respective ministries.

Here’s a glimpse into our structured approach:

• Volunteer Specialist: A part-time role dedicated to recruiting and onboarding volunteers during weekend services.
• Initial Contact: A brief on-the-spot interview conducted by the Volunteer Specialist, followed by the collection of essential information and scheduling of a pre-screen interview.
• Pre-Screen Interview: A more in-depth interview, scheduled around church service times, aimed at assessing the recruit’s suitability and providing essential information about the ministry.
• Placement Interview: A face-to-face meeting with the lead pastor, where volunteers share their stories, undergo training, and receive their ministry badges.
• Mentoring: A crucial phase where new volunteers shadow experienced teachers for up to eight weeks, ensuring hands-on training and support.

While implementing this system, we were mindful of selecting mentors with genuine passion for guiding others, ensuring a nurturing environment for new volunteers to flourish.

In essence, by adopting principles from an unexpected source – the restaurant industry – we transformed our volunteer training program into a well-oiled machine. Today, our volunteers are equipped not only with the skills they need but also with the support and mentorship necessary to thrive in their roles. It’s a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in creating meaningful change within our community.

Interested in delving deeper into leadership within children’s ministry?

Whether you’re launching a brand-new children’s ministry or seeking to enhance an existing one, my Lamplight Academy course, “How To Build A Children’s Ministry From The Ground Up,” is designed just for you.

Drawing from over four decades of hands-on experience, I specialize in equipping church leaders with the tools they need to cultivate vibrant children’s ministries. In this comprehensive course, “How To Build A Children’s Ministry From The Ground Up,” you’ll benefit from my mentorship as I share invaluable insights and lessons learned from my own journey. By the end of the program, you’ll be equipped with the expertise to assemble a robust team of volunteers and effectively shepherd children on their spiritual path.

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