Volunteer Management: Best Practices
Carol Cartmill, Executive Director of Adult Discipleship
carol.cartmill@cor.org | 913.544.0714
Volunteer Management: Best Practices
Carol Cartmill, Executive Director of Adult Discipleship
carol.cartmill@cor.org | 913.544.0714
Cultural Context for Service
 Key to spiritual formation and a part of our discipleship
Journey and of our purpose statement. How?
 It is a membership expectation.
 What message is your church sending about the
role/importance of serving?
 Is service a part of your discipleship pathway and culture?
 Do you have immediate access points for people; places
where they can have an “early-on” service experience as a
seeker or new member?
Trends
 Why do people serve?
 Who are our volunteers?
 What do our volunteers need from us?
Cultural Context for Service
 Key to spiritual formation and a part of our discipleship
Journey and of our purpose statement. How?
 It is a membership expectation.
 What message is your church sending about the
role/importance of serving?
 Is service a part of your discipleship pathway and culture?
 Do you have immediate access points for people; places
where they can have an “early-on” service experience as a
seeker or new member?
Trends
 Why do people serve?
 Who are our volunteers?
 What do our volunteers need from us?
Volunteer Management Practices – 4 steps
Volunteer Management Practices – 4 steps
Invite: “How will I [congregant] become actively involved?”
1. Current, committed volunteers as ambassadors
2. “First date” opportunities
3. Effective position descriptions
4. Be intentional – have a plan
5. Pray… and network with other ministry leaders
6. Ask personally – God calls people by name
7. Share pictures and stories – social media use
Invite: “How will I [congregant] become actively involved?”
1. Current, committed volunteers as ambassadors
2. “First date” opportunities
3. Effective position descriptions
4. Be intentional – have a plan
5. Pray… and network with other ministry leaders
6. Ask personally – God calls people by name
7. Share pictures and stories – social media use
Connect: “What ministry opportunities best fit my gifts and
interests?”
1. Spiritual Gifts Discovery class
a. 3-weeks: STRIDE
b. 4th week: placement into service
2. Follow up with new recruits immediately
3. Focus on relationships - get to know volunteers personally
4. Create community - connect volunteers with one another
5. Fit - redirecting people with grace and support
Connect: “What ministry opportunities best fit my gifts and
interests?”
1. Spiritual Gifts Discovery class
a. 3-weeks: STRIDE
b. 4th week: placement into service
2. Follow up with new recruits immediately
3. Focus on relationships - get to know volunteers personally
4. Create community - connect volunteers with one another
5. Fit - redirecting people with grace and support
Equip: “What support will I experience in my ministry?”
1. The “why” empowers your volunteers
2. Deliver simple stuff in writing
3. Ride-alongs – pair up new and current volunteers
4. Training events – Fellowship, Food, Focus, Formation
5. Use of video/audio training to fit their schedules
6. Ongoing communication – “keep me informed”
Equip: “What support will I experience in my ministry?”
1. The “why” empowers your volunteers
2. Deliver simple stuff in writing
3. Ride-alongs – pair up new and current volunteers
4. Training events – Fellowship, Food, Focus, Formation
5. Use of video/audio training to fit their schedules
6. Ongoing communication – “keep me informed”
Sustain: “How do I sustain my ministry and invite others to join me?”
1. Encouragement
2. Feedback – get it and give it
3. Evaluate regularly
4. Celebrate successes
5. Correct problems
6. Show appreciation – say “thank you”
7. Be proactive and intentional about sustaining
Sustain: “How do I sustain my ministry and invite others to join me?”
1. Encouragement
2. Feedback – get it and give it
3. Evaluate regularly
4. Celebrate successes
5. Correct problems
6. Show appreciation – say “thank you”
7. Be proactive and intentional about sustaining
Resources: Journey 101: Serving God; The New Breed:
Understanding and Equipping the 21st Century Volunteer: Serving
From the Heart: Finding Your Gifts and Talents for Service;
Group’s Volunteer Central: www.churchvolunteercentral.com
Resources: Journey 101: Serving God; The New Breed:
Understanding and Equipping the 21st Century Volunteer: Serving
From the Heart: Finding Your Gifts and Talents for Service;
Group’s Volunteer Central: www.churchvolunteercentral.com