In my last post, I shared five different places to look for youth volunteers. In this post, I want to share the next step. What do you do after you have identified some possible great youth volunteers? How do you get them involved and set them up for success?
Here are 5 things that you can do to get new volunteers on board.
A Simple, Defined Process
Everything you do needs to be repeatable, and how you onboard new volunteers is no different. You need to have a process of how to get new volunteers involved that you can quickly go through with them.
We’ll cover some of these things in the rest of the post, but here are some things to think about when you create your process.
- How does someone apply? Do you have a form and or interviews?
- What do the first steps look like? Do they come and observe for a few weeks? Do you throw them in immediately with a group of 6th-grade boys?
- How do you follow up? Do they meet with you after a few weeks? Do you assign them an already existing volunteer to help guide them?
Thinking through these questions and creating a process gives you something that you can follow every time, with every potential volunteer.
Clear Time Expectations
One of the biggest hesitations I have seen from potential volunteers is the fear they are signing up for a life sentence. Some volunteers may want to sign on for the next 20 years. Some may be able to give you only a season. Setting clear expectations of the time that you are asking people to serve will help them know what they are getting into.
I typically ask small group leaders to commit to a school year, from the middle of August through the end of May. In May I schedule a time to sit down with them, I thank them for their time, we talk about their, and what they are thinking about for the next year. Then I give them the summer off.
A Job Description for their Position
One thing that creates anxiety among volunteers is not knowing what they are supposed to do precisely. Whether you want someone to be a small group leader, or to serve in the kitchen, they need to know what is expected of them.
Taking time to sit down and create detailed job descriptions for each volunteer position helps you to clearly identify your expectations. This helps you both to agree on clear goals for success.
Maybe you want your small group leaders to attend one after school activity for their students. Or perhaps you expect everyone at a monthly volunteer meeting. A detailed job description can make sure you are on the same page.
Different Levels of Involvement
Not everyone is called to be a small group leader. Not everyone can give two hours of their time every week. Create many opportunities for adults to be involved in your student ministry.
I have one parent who will not be a small group leader, but she is fantastic at organizing and fundraising. I had one volunteer who would chaperone on one retreat or trip wherever I needed her to be. I have a volunteer who comes right after our meal is over and picks up and cleans our cafe area.
You need drivers, meal providers, small group leaders, and organizers. Create and celebrate many different options for people so that they can be involved in your student ministry.
Each of these helps your ministry to be a success. Each one is a loving adult who volunteers to pour into your youth, whether they lead a Bible study, or serve a slice of pizza and a smile.
A Vision of Why They are Needed
When I am asking adults to come help, I want to paint a picture, not just of what I need them to do. I want to paint a picture of the impact they can have.
I could say, “Hey, I’m looking for some adults to come to help us with the youth group on Wednesday nights from 6-7:30 pm. could you come help?” That technically does say what I am needing. However, I want to help them to see not just what I need, but why they are necessary.
When approaching adults I’d like to be involved, I usually say something like this.
“I am looking for adults who love God, love students, and would be willing to be with students as they take the next steps in their faith.”
Or “I’m looking for some adults who will help students to know they are loved, accepted unconditionally and that they matter.”
There are many more things that could be added to this post, however I hope this gives you an excellent start to building your volunteer team.
Look for future posts about Building a Youth Ministry Volunteer Team coming soon.
If you haven’t yet, please go and read the first post in the series on 5 Places to Find Awesome Youth Ministry Volunteers.