Recruiting volunteer leaders is a never-ending responsibility. And after these past two years, the challenge may seem like an uphill battle depending on how many volunteers you are down. Don’t despair. Take the opportunity to review recruitment techniques that have worked for you in the past and get creative with some new ideas. Here are 21 tips to get you started. 21 Tips for Recruiting Volunteer Leaders.
- Share your needs with current leaders and ask them to join you in recruiting new leaders. Strike a committee.
- Remind your current team of your ministry’s vision and the value of the role they are filling.
- Brainstorm with your current team ways to promote your ministry using your church’s various communication channels.
- Host a Return to Awana day at your church and ask leaders to share the blessings they get from serving in the ministry.
- Pray for God to lead you to the right people for your ministry.
- Invite those who want to disciple and share the love of Christ with the next generation (a theology degree is not needed).
- Create talking points so everyone knows what to say while recruiting.
- Keep in mind some people prefer to be personally asked. If you have someone in mind, don’t wait to see if they respond after a presentation or when you put a poster up. Approach them personally.
- Consider inviting a variety of age groups — middle schoolers, high schoolers, parents and grandparents — to help in your club. Encourage families and friends to serve together. If you run a trek or Journey program, consider opportunities to get those kids involved with serving in the ministry. This is a great long-term strategy.
- Promote Awana in front of the congregation by asking several kids to share what their experience at Awana has meant to them.
- When you have an Awana event in which adults are attending, don’t forget to promote the importance and blessings of being an Awana leader and invite them to join.
- Make sure Awana is on your church’s list of ministries parents and kids can get involved in.
- Offer a taste of Awana by giving adults and older kids an opportunity to be a listener as children recite their verses.
- Host a Back to Awana night with videos and a display of awards and handbooks.
- Do your best to fill the highest leadership position first. For example, if you need a director, the sooner you put that person in place, the better.
- Watch your ratio of adults to kids and explain that there will be children who cannot attend without the help of (additional) adult leaders.
- Provide leaders not yet ready to return in person with a way to serve. Keep them involved so that they understand their value and want to come back.
- Be patient. If you don’t hear from someone after a few days, ask them how they think God is directing them.
- When someone decides to serve with you, celebrate their decision.
- If someone declines, ask them to keep Awana in their prayers and encourage them to keep an open mind that God may move them in the direction of Awana at another time.
- Don’t panic. Keep praying and persevering. God will provide what you need at the right time.
If you have ideas for other blogs or a topic you would like to learn more about, reach out to our communication team and let us know.
Author: Kerry Provost
