Q&A: How Can I Get My Vols to Engage?
Q:
How would you suggest we equip our volunteers to engage the disengaged on Sunday mornings (new guests, people sitting by themselves, etc.)? How can it come across as genuine and not just because they “have to”?
(question submitted in a recent One-Day Workshop)
A:
If you have a guest services volunteer who isn’t passionate about serving guests, that might indicate a deeper issue. Here are a few hot takes, with links to some archived posts that’ll go into more detail:
Figure out what they care about. Their definition of “engaging the disengaged” may look different from yours.
Remind them of the why. Vols can’t view their Sunday morning role as just a collection of tasks.
Challenge vols not to just “put in their time.” Once the name tag comes off, the posture of service must remain.
Assign volunteers as Zone Greeters. Having this undercover team may help with engagement on both ends.
