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Recruiting
Do's
Don't get wound down by
recruiting! Recruiting
can be a nightmare or a blessing. We shoot to make each recruiting experience
a personalized blessing for both you and the volunteer-to-be. Read on... Scenario:
Sunday school is tedious for teachers and students alike, so volunteers are hard
to find. Children seem undisciplined, Biblical literacy is on the decline,
and the possible teacher prospects would rather have a root canal. In
the end it is always the same - sister Suzie is stuck teaching classes,
again. She has been there since the dawn of time and it seems she will be
there until the 2nd coming. She desperately wants a break, but no one will
step up and take over for fear of being the next one entrapped into the Sunday
school snare of a lifetime commitment. There
are several obvious problems here. So lets focus on one: expanding your
volunteer base.
It is a reserve of people that can help at any given time within an aspect of
the ministry. For your ministry to grow the number of volunteers must also
grow, proportionately. If this fails to happen, the number of children
will dwindle and your spike in attendance will bell-curve back down until it
hits the ground. Why does this happen, you ask? Well it's simple -
if Betty Sue, Bobby, Clair, Jeffy, and Matt all bring one friend with them, because,
"church is fun," your teacher cannot maintain class interaction the at
the same rate as it
was with 4 children - she now has 8 children! While that is not a large
number, it does decrease dynamic (interactive) learning, accounts for less
one-to-one time, and throws the ratio that made church, "fun."
Now,
if the teacher manages to maintain a level close enough that it is still fun and
the 4 children invite their 4 friends, and the 4 friends bring their
siblings...your numbers will more than triple. If no one is around to
teach, play, and interact with them the children will not come back.
Maybe
you're saying, "Oh, that's silly. It doesn't work like
that." Well, yes it does. Attendance will
increase when the children have a good time. They go home and tell their
parents, siblings, family and friends how much fun church was...then a kid that
caught on gets invited and it starts. Numbers slowly creep up and without
more smiling, fun teachers, the numbers will grow initially and then decline.
So, now you have an idea of volunteer base - it
is a major thing in understanding how to keep the ministry growing.
Failure to recognize the need for an increasing proportion will sabotage your
efforts.
Practical Recruiting:
This is the, "meat," of this
section. You can't expand your volunteer base if you have no volunteers,
so here are a few tips.
Sounds easy - it is easy. Look to see who likes children, does well with
them, and is naturally drawn to them. There are usually the same handful
of people that always visit the nursery before and after service. Look to
see who they are. Ask yourself if they are patient, kind, and if the
children respond to them. And keep their names in the back of your mind.
Notice who is a teacher, social worker, day care director,
housewife, or any occupation with full-time exposure to children. Notice
what ages they prefer. Notice what ages makes them uncomfortable.
Can you visualize them in a classroom? Or at an event? Can you
picture them helping parents? Encouraging kids? Think about it and
keep them in mind.
Grandparents, and other seniors are a wonderful resource. This is one of
the main resources that has gone untapped and they are ready to serve.
Different seniors have different abilities. Pay attention to these men and
the women. See who sews, bakes, and builds. Watch to see who has a
sense of humor and who the kids naturally flock to. Look for shy seniors
who have grandchildren they miss terribly because they are separated by
distance. Look, listen and watch this group. Find you leaders,
helpers, and the shy ones. They will be an incredible asset.
Teens teaching children is an excellent way to connect the youth group to the
children's ministry. They not only supply an endless source of vigor, but
it also provides mentors for little ones while allowing for the teenagers to
confirm their faith as they share their beliefs. This is a win-win scenario.
Watch the teens who baby-sit, are patient and kind. Watch for the ones
who want to serve in church, but have no where to do so. Finding a place
to fit in is a big deal to this group. Giving them a home and a sense of
value will have resounding effects.
So, you watch and make a
mental list. This can take several weeks or several months. Next
steps:
Affirm people that are good with
children. Tell them that they are good with
children. This sounds like it doesn't need to be said, but it so totally
does. We often overlook people and think they already know or someone
already said it. Well, this is one thing that can really help. If
they are good - let them sincerely know. It fosters confidence with kids
and helps strengthen their relationship with you.
Tell
the teens that the parents are saying what great babysitters they are. Tell the
jokers, "the kids really think your funny." Tell the seniors their,
"efforts
and kindness goes a long way. " The point is tell them. And if you
missed the moment write a note. If you stink at writing notes jot
something like this:
Dear (name),
I really wished I had the chance to tell you in person the other day. So I
decided that I should just tell you now that you were really (patient, kind,
funny) with (the child's name) on (day). You are a precious blessing to
the life of (the child's name) and I am blessed to have you in my life!
Peace to you,
(Your name)
Words go a long way.
They can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Think about what you
say, be sincere, and to the point. Compliments are hard to receive and if
they apparently have no point it is harder for the receptor to hear what you
mean. Make sure you add the last part - e.g. I'm glad to know you, this
child is blessed to have someone like you.
Take note of who becomes
comfortable with you and who is not. People will receive your affirmation
is different ways. Some will come along quicker than others, so be
patient.
Actually recruiting:
There are several ways to do this. This is
a simplified step by step section to make it easier.
Cross off people that are not
child-orientated.
Star
people who love kids, are occupationally equipped, and creative. They will
be your primary targets. They will set the foundation for the volunteer
base. It is easier to volunteer to be a part of a group than it is to
volunteer for an indefinite solo mission.
Everyone else that you did not
cross off or star can be fit into the role as "helper." This
means you thought they weren't awful, but they aren't ready yet. These
people are helpers only. Do not use them in your frontline group
yet. Their time will come and until then you need to wait for them to
become comfortable with the idea.
If you want a particular person that you have confidence in (this is your star
list), you are going to want to tell them. Never ask, "Do you want to
teach Sunday School?" They will either answer yes or no. There
are a million reasons to say, "No," so never ever ask!
First of all, make sure this discussion (discussion is what you are shooting
for) takes place somewhere that the potential volunteer is comfortable.
Maybe at lunch or somewhere they like that you have their full attention.
No ringing phones, screaming kids, and defiantly no intimidation or guilting on
your part. You want them to be able to tell you, "no." It
is part of having a reciprocal relationship. Trust and empathy to how they
feel is important.
Talk to the person about the good things that are happening. Tell them how
much the kids love them. And watch out for the "wall." You
can sense it like a death notice. Their face and voice tone will drop and
become hesitant. If you experience this they are afraid and beginning to
put up their defenses. So be careful not to escalate anything...keep it friendly.
Half-way through your meal you should have acquired enough information to assess
whether or not you should tell them. If they had a horrible day, are
irritated, or have a mental concussion because they have too many things
pressing them - don't even go there. Be the friend you should be.
Listen and wait for life to lighten up. Then follow up on
things.
If things are the same as usual, go a head and test he water. Tell them
you highly value their time/skill/interaction/whatever with the children.
Tell them the children really respond to them. (If you can't say things
like that then they are helpers - don't ask them to lead yet). Watch their face
as you speak. Smile and be friendly. Tell them God has really
blessed them with their ability.
Now - if they are still smiling and nodding along - tell them...
"I think you would be an excellent asset
to the children's ministry."
What does that mean? It means you admire them, you think they are
valuable, and you recognize their ability to relate to children. If they
express interest (ask, speak it, or show it - lean forward) tell them, "I
think you would be great in our cradle roll class. The babies really light up every time
they see you. It's an easy thing to do and it means so much."
In the hook section make sure you confirm their gift, tell them why, reassure
them they can do it and reassure them it is needed. This way if they have
the slightest interest you can tell. If they say, "no thanks," probe a little
to see why. Fix it if you can and back off if you can't. (Example:
Oh, I can't do that. No thanks." You say compliment or
pry a little to get them talking..."but you are so good with the
babies..." The, "But," implies you want to know why and compliments
them
at the same time. Make sure you sound sincere here. If there is a
problem that needs attention you need to know - so listen.
The
person may answer,
"I have never done it before," or, "I don't know how."
Those are fixable. This person would rather be a helper first. Give
them a
low pressure opportunity and confidence and they'll be a life member. If
they say something like, "Tommy's Mom would have a fit," or something else
that is a little weird - explore it as far as they are comfortable with and let their
no be no - for now. Resolve the problem first.
This obviously takes a while. You don't want to cut corners here because
it is easier to sway one persons opinion rather than a whole groups opinion.
Stay one on one. And take who you can get. If they are only
comfortable helping, keep them as helpers. If they are only comfortable
with crafts, keep them in crafts. Respect their fears and abilities and
they will have no problem helping in ways they can and even then some.
Helpers will hesitate more than teachers/ leaders. They generally lack the
leader style/ skills and going into a classroom full of 2-year-olds is like
going into the lions den. Assure them that they are only
helpers, and that they are there to support the teacher with extra hands only.
The helpers are going to be your ministry's volunteer bloodline. If
helpers dry up, your volunteer base will dwindle. Make sure you keep
adding helpers. Some will turn into effective leaders once they mature,
learn skills, and acquire confidence. Others will realize they have no patients
and the kids don't understand them. That is important to know. Let
these helpers be useful in other ways. Pay attention to their skills and incorporate
them when possible.
Recruiting should be an ongoing process. New people come and old members
go. New blood can revive a dossal ministry. Kids can look forward to
the coming of age where they can be incorporated. Seniors can look forward
to baking, singing, and serving. Excitement thrives in new ministry opportunities
and is contagious. Keep it alive and stoke the excitement periodically and
soon volunteers will come to you!
Remember - God is powerful and he will raise
people up to help you. Have confidence He will and keep your eyes peeled
for those leaders and helpers He created.
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