It’s the first week of fall. Google says, “fall ends our long, hot summer.” I had to laugh, clearly Google doesn’t live in Florida! Perhaps where you are, the temperature is settling in with a cool breeze and hopefully our volunteer teams and families are settling into fall rhythms.
One of the hallmarks of a thriving children’s ministry is a healthy, all-in volunteer team. What is an all-in volunteer team? It’s a team of volunteers who show up physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually on a consistent basis, over time.
Here are five ideas to help build an ALL-IN volunteer team:
1. Healthy Teams are Aligned.
It’s important that our volunteers understand ‘why’ both the big and the small things they do each week are important and aligned with the mission. It’s likely that our volunteers understand why the Bible story and worship are important. Do they know the importance of pre-service huddles or why they are expected to wear shoe covers in the nursery? Huddles get everyone on the same page while shoe covers keep our environments clean and sanitary. Being informed is crucial for volunteers to feel confident. Cleanliness is a felt safety need for parents of babies and safety is one of the most important details for parents when deciding whether to leave their child with us. By keeping our volunteers informed, we get to be on mission together, with clarity. By keeping the space clean and safe, we get to pray for and introduce Jesus to our youngest attendees.
Questions to consider:
- Where are our volunteers NOT meeting expectations? Is this because we need to communicate WHY what they are expected to do matters?
- How can we make sure the ‘why’ is communicated to our volunteers consistently?
2. Launch Them in the Shallow End.
When we were teaching our kids to swim, we didn’t start in the deep end of the pool. We started at the steps, letting them get comfortable before encouraging them off, with us right beside them. The best way to onboard our volunteers is ‘in the shallow end.’ Start by letting them observe, gradually giving them small parts of their role, with a ‘coach’ nearby to support them until they are ready to be successful on their own
Questions to consider:
- Do we have a clear and consistent system for training each volunteer role on the team?
- Where are our volunteers NOT meeting expectations? Is this because we need to bring clarity or provide additional coaching or training?
- Does every volunteer on my team have a direct line to a leader/coach that they can go to for support?
3. Leverage Volunteer Roles.
In Philippians 2, we are reminded to “value others above ourselves, not looking towards our own interests, but to the interests of others.”’ One of the ways we do this with our volunteers is by getting them in the right seat on the bus. God designed them with unique gifts; when we match them with the right role, we leverage their gifts, resulting in their fulfillment and impact! Healthy teams have volunteers serving in the right spots and great leaders help get them there.
Questions to consider:
- What is our process for identifying passions and gifts in the volunteers on the team?
- Is everyone currently on the team serving in the right place?
- If the prior question is ‘no’; what is the plan for shifting volunteers so that everyone IS in the right place?
4. Incentivize and Appreciate Volunteers.
Not every volunteer will have the same passion for discipling the next generation. We get to cast vision to help them see how they are making an eternal difference AND we get to figure out what helps them feel excited and motivated to serve on the team. According to the book The Five Love Languages of Appreciation, 79% of people surveyed indicated that “a lack of appreciation was the reason they left their job.” Finding ways to communicate value and appreciation goes a long way in fostering an all-in volunteer team.
Lean into Connection – volunteers who know others and are known, create a healthy team culture.
Celebrate your Team – celebrate the wins; maybe with a party or simply praising them in a team huddle.
Show your Appreciation – what small token can you give to show a volunteer they are appreciated?
Questions to consider:
- Is everyone on our team connected and known by someone?
- How can we build a team culture that celebrates the wins?
- What incentives can we add that will help demonstrate appreciation?
5. Normalize Exchanging Feedback.
Most of the volunteers genuinely want to help kids take next steps in their relationship with Jesus. We demonstrate value, kindness and the importance of the mission when we foster a culture of feedback. When giving feedback – make it timely, specific and always believe the best. It is easier for someone to receive our feedback when they know we believe the best about them. A culture of feedback requires feedback in both directions. As the leader, ask for feedback: where could things be improved? What can I do differently that will have the greatest impact on our team? This humility is game-changing!
Questions to consider:
- Who or what have I been choosing to look the other way about, but God is inviting me to lean in?
- What do I need to develop in myself so that I can give feedback in a way that positively benefits the individual and the team?
- Who should I invite to provide me with some personal feedback?
ALL-IN. This is what we want for your volunteer teams!
We at INCM are ALL-IN in our support of you. We are here for you as you work to build your all-in volunteer team. Explore the resources available through INCM membership, watch our volunteer focused Tuesday Tips on social media or YouTube, or join us for one of our free webinars.
Cheering you on!
Heather Eichler, INCM Interim Executive Director
