Inviting, Equipping and Engaging Faith-Motivated Volunteers Hannah Shanks, MSW Send Me St. Louis www.sendmestlouis.org - www.facebook.com/SendMeStLouis
Session goals: • Understand who faith-motivated volunteers are, • Why it is important to engage them, • How to connect with faith motivated volunteers and their networks, and • Take away a handful of tips and best practices to use in your current setting
Who are faith-motivated volunteers? 77% of US adults identify as a follower of a Christian religion. (1) 41% of the adult population identifies as very religious across all forms of faith (2) An additional 28.3% of the adult population identifies as moderately religious across all forms of faith (2) Between 69% and 77% of your volunteer base is probably informed or motivated by their faith.
Who are faith-motivated volunteers? “ In general, people with active religious commitments are more likely to volunteer in their community through nonprofits and civic projects, regardless of whether the cause is secular or religious.” (Brooks, 2006) (3)
What assets do faith-motivated volunteers bring to the table? Commitment: The average length of volunteer involvement in a program exceeds 9 years. (4) Desire to partner with your organization Willingness to learn: 60% of faith motivated respondents reported changes in their attitudes about the persons they served/worked with in the community (4)
What assets do faith-motivated volunteers bring to the table? Financial support & visibility: In one study, 73% of faith- motivated volunteers’ congregations provided financial support for the ministry and recognition for those who served (4)
They back up their service with dollars, and they bring their whole organization with them!
Biblical Foundation for Volunteerism • The Priesthood of All Believers • The Giftedness of Each Child of God • The Whole Body of Christ • Equipping the Saints
The Priesthood of All Believers But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) • All have an opportunity to serve • Need to believe and do • Expect active service
The Giftedness of Each Child of God If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:7-8) • Everyone can serve • Help people discover where to serve
The Whole Body of Christ Now the body is not made up of one part but of many . . . If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ and each ne of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:14 – 27) • Fit somewhere = fit everywhere • People aren’t interchangeable • Get the right people for the right jobs at the right times
Equipping the Saints So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-13) • Our role is to equip others to use their gifts in service • We don’t have to do it all!
The Equipping Process Invite Celebrate Connect Deepen Reflect Skill Mallory, S. 2001. The Equipping Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Connecting with Faith-Motivated Volunteers Invite • Attend to language • Tailor your message • Appeal to their particular brand of faith • Example: Kingdom House, St. Louis
Remember: You’re both in the life transformation business.
In their own words… “I am less quick to jump to conclusions. I am, I hope, more compassionate and more tolerant. I realize that people are where they are because of a lot of different things. There is a lot of history for each person and we typically don't have a clue. I don't have to know all that history. Rather than jumping to conclusions, or shooting off my mouth, or saying the first thing that comes to my mind, all of which are practices that have gotten me into a great deal of trouble in the past, I hope it is making me more aware that there is so much I don't know.” (5)
In their own words… Concerning a transportation volunteer for a homeless shelter: “He (the volunteer) was astonished that in his busload of twelve people, eight of them had jobs. They were actually working. He dropped some of them off for their jobs. When he came last night, he brought some work clothes for some of them, because he thought they needed better work clothes than they had. I don't think he would have thought that these are people who are working before, but they truly are the working poor. I mean, you can't survive if your take- home pay is $5.00 an hour.” (5)
Try it out: Craft a short recruitment message for one of your programs that’s targeted at a faith community you’re aware of. • Lead with the activity • Point to the impact • Share a contact’s name and contact info
Example: People of the book! Kids Connection 8 th graders seek story- loving Reading Guides to read along with and listen to our budding storytellers. Most Kids Connection readers gain 2 grade levels of proficiency after just 3 hrs/week with their Reading Guide – a major transformation key to their future success. Contact Nancy Boucher at nancy@kidsconnection.org to get your summer reading list!
Managing Faith-Motivated Volunteers Connect Interview Ask about “talents,” “gifts” or “spiritual gifts” Ask what about your work resonates with them Listen to the language they use e.g. “teacher, exhortation, hospitality” – these are spiritual gift watchwords
Managing Faith-Motivated Volunteers Connect Placement Don’t be afraid to ask or clarify what your volunteer means by their language – you mean no offense!
Managing Faith-Motivated Volunteers Deepen Knowledge Ask if any of their previous service experiences translate into their current volunteer role Explain some of the underlying issues that make your services vital. (e.g. if you serve in a food desert, explain why after school meal volunteers are so important.)
Managing Faith-Motivated Volunteers Reflection Supervision/Reflection • Offer opportunities for reflection • Ask what’s different • Ask what’s challenged them • Find out how you can support them • Additional resources: Ignatian Volunteer Corps
Managing Faith-Motivated Volunteers Recognition/Celebration • Write a letter to the leader of Celebration their faith community • Use materials that reflect their faith expression (e.g. a quote from scripture) • If many volunteers come from the same faith community, arrange a visit to share their impact and say thanks
And now, for a new “R”… Replication Ask your volunteer to help you get your foot in the door with their faith community.
Creating Mutual Partnerships
Creating Mutual Partnerships • You’re both in the life transformation business • Where can your expertise strengthen their efforts? • Training teachers on how to work with children/students on the autism spectrum • Work placement site for clients • Where do their strengths fit your needs? And vice versa?
Pause and Reflect • Which of the suggested practices could I implement tomorrow? • Which do I want to implement first/ would benefit my volunteers most? • Which do I have questions/need more information about? • List 3 small things to do once you’re back in the office (e.g. review recruitment messages, schedule a meeting with a volunteer, Google 2 nearby faith communities)
Sticky Situations
Proselytizing – the elephant in the room During orientation: • Be up front about what your program’s goals and obligations are • Educate your volunteer about federal, state, or agency policies • Answer questions openly and honestly
Politics – the other elephant/donkey in the room • Faith communities are variegated in their political affiliation • It’s okay to educate your volunteers about policies that effect your clientele – for good or ill • Don’t make assumptions – and remind your volunteers to do the same
Short-term missions • Help your volunteers understand the context of your work • E.g. Have them take a tour of the neighborhood, share a meal with those you serve, or another activity that helps them understand the issues your folks deal with on a regular basis • Again, educate your volunteers (deepen knowledge/skill) • Offer a closing reflection time for your volunteer groups and invite them to reflect together.
Recommend
More recommend
