Recruiting, Training, and Retaining Volunteers
v Recruiting/Getting the word out about the ministry
o Brand the ministry(logo and name should be clear, positive, inclusive of all ages)
o Special Needs Sunday
o Posters in hallway
o Bulletin insert
o Support from the pulpit
o T-shirts or flair
o Angel tree (adopt a family or individual; fun outing ideas)
o Partner with the youth minister
v Make it easy for them to say “Yes!”
o Approach people personally with a specific request for a specific opportunity
o Provide a position description
§ Include spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, time required, and duties/responsibilities
§ What training will be provided?
§ Will there be a trial period? How long is the commitment?
§ Will they share the position with others? (Every other week/once a month?)
o Volunteer Interviews
§ Theological understanding of disability; spiritual goals of the ministry
§ Be thinking of who their potential buddy match would be-ask about age preferences, past experiences, level of comfort, etc.
o Address fears and misconceptions up front
v Training
o Overall Special Needs Ministry
§ Vision and Mission
§ Church staff involved
o Policies and Procedures
§ Check-in/Security
§ Schedule
§ Hygiene/Medical policies
§ Confidentiality
§ Job description/roles of teacher and buddy
§ Provide a list of subs/sub procedure
o Welcoming and Teaching tips
§ Prepare classroom/peers for their arrival (with prior permission from the parents/caregivers)
§ How to greet families/individuals
§ How to interact with families/individuals
§ Go over learner’s profile
§ Give ideas on adapting the curriculum
o Resources available
§ Sensory box/bag
§ Extra activities
§ Adaptive tools (crayons, chairs, tables, etc.)
o Create a time for them to hang out with the family they will be serving
o Have fun!
o Respect their time
o Ask for topics they’d like covered in future trainings, then cover those topics
o Use survey to get anonymous feedback, i.e. Survey Monkey.
v Retaining Volunteers
o Thank them; value them for who they are, not just the service they provide
o Think like a small group leader-invest in their lives outside of church (create community)
o If they have to miss, don’t make them feel guilty
o Make sure they are serving where their gifts are being utilized
o Keep the area where they volunteer tidy
o If they miss service, provide a copy of the CD of the message
o Appreciate them in front of the church
o Small gifts (bookmarks, handwritten notes, gift cards, etc)
o Pray for them, and let them know you’re praying for them.
o Feed them
o T-shirts or flair
v Resources
o Special Needs Smart Pages-Joni and Friends
o Practical Pathways-Joni and Friends
o Leading a Special Needs Ministry-Amy Fenton Lee
o Pinterest-Joni and Friends/Church Relations
Jan Joaquin
Church Relations Coordinator