6×5 :: 6 Steps and 5 Quotes on Equipping Volunteers
Volunteers are often the driving force behind great ministry, but they are only capable of what their leadership equips them to be able to do. This past spring, Leadership Journal shared the following six steps and five quotes by volunteer management expert Don Simmons on equipping volunteers:
- Training.
“If it is important enough to do, it’s important enough to train volunteers in how to do it!” - Affirmation.
“We often forget that people need to know that they matter more than what they do.” - Feedback.
“Authentic, love-based feedback does much to develop servants into strong leaders.” - Evaluation.
- Recognition.
“Recognition acknowledges people for what they do.” - Reflection.
“What did you learn about yourself? People decide in the reflection whether they will do this again and if they will let it change their lives.”
Other nuggets from the article include:
- In 2004, 64.5 million Americans volunteered, an increase of nearly 5 million since 2002.
- A recent article in Journal of Volunteer Administration indicates that one of the principal reasons people leave their volunteer positions is that they feel unappreciated and unrecognized.
Notice that training is just a small part of equipping volunteers. They need your ongoing coaching and positive interaction to reach their true potential. How you treat your volunteers will either limit them or release them in their area of ministry.
