Recruiting Volunteers

I have heard many ideas on how to recruit volunteers, and tried everything from catchy inserts to booths at ministry fairs to pleading from the pulpit, and all have had marginal results. Why? They are impersonal. When Jesus wanted to recruit, what did he do? He walked up to people and asked them to follow him.

If you ask people in your church why they do not volunteer, many of them will say that it is because they have not been asked. So here is the method I have found to be the most productive at finding volunteers:

The Six Steps

First, you need to have a place to put them. It sounds obvious, but many times we ask people to show up to something and then have nothing for them to do. Develop several types of roles that volunteers can fill that vary in amount of interaction with students and amount of time required.

Second, you need to realize that the people most willing to help with your students are their parents because they have a vested interest in seeing the youth ministry succeed. Ask them first. Then, get leads from you volunteers. Finally, walk around looking panicked after worship and see who asks if you are ok.

Third, when you ask, have a specific task in mind. People get frustrated when you offer too much, wait until they cannot do what you are asking to bring out the whole volunteer menu.

Fourth, follow up with a phone call for those who did not give you an answer right away.

Fifth, meet with new volunteers before they begin to let them ask questions, give them an overview of your ministry and tell them your expectations.

Sixth, trust your instincts. There are some people you will meet and know instantly that they will click with your youth ministry, and there are others that you know won't click or worse. It is far harder to let difficult volunteers go than to not ask them in the first place.

On a side note, do not give in to the myth that younger is better with youth volunteers. People at each age level have different things to offer your students. To deprive them of the older, wiser perspective gives a warped perspective of what the church is like and about.

How to deal with common objections:

1. My student doesn't want me to be a regular volunteer - Offer to move them into a "behind the scenes" support role. Always respect the student's wishes, but see if you can clarify what those wishes prohibit and what they do not.

2. My student doesn't want me to go on a trip with them - When we need more volunteers and the only ones left are those who are wiling but their students are not, we offer a "release of parenting" contract. Basically, the parent signs a funny contract saying that they will be a volunteer, and not a parent that weekend. They will let the other volunteers deal with their kids if there are problems. You would be surprised how successful this funny contract is at breaking the volunteering ice between parent and student.

3. I'm too old - Remind them that kids already live in too much of a teenage bubble. They need those who are older and wiser to help. Sometimes this is a way of saying that they are uncomfortable around teenagers. Try and clarify if that is the case, and use your judgement to discern whether or not they will be able to deal with seeing what your kids wear and hear what they say without losing it.

4. I don't know the Bible/church/God well enough - Let them know that they do not need to have all the answers. Students do well with seeing the reality of adults who are still growing. However, some people are actually too young spiritually, and are not ready to lead others until they grow up in the faith a bit more. If you or they feel this is the case, let them off the hook.