8 Ways to Reinvigorate Your Volunteer Team This Summer
Summertime is down time. Sometimes those of us in leadership act like we don’t believe that (raises hand), but that doesn’t make it less true. While it is true that hospitality can’t take a vacation, it’s also true that our volunteers will. So yes, prepare for summer, but do so in a way that assumes your vols will shift to a slower pace.
Here are 8 ways to reinvigorate your team during down time:
1. Insist on time off.
Don’t just begrudgingly accept that your vols will head to the beach or the mountains…push them to do so. Even if they can’t get out of town, give them a Sunday off. Doing so reminds them that you value their well-being more than what you can get out of them.
2. Celebrate their vacations.
To double down on point #1, take interest in their time off. Ask about travel plans. Offer travel tips where you can. Text them on the morning they’re leaving to let them know you’re praying for them and hope they have a great time. If your budget allows, provide a small gift card at a national chain to buy the family milkshakes on the road.
3. Mix up your VHQ.
You know the importance of Volunteer Headquarters. But you also know that your VHQ leaders could use a break. This summer, bring in biscuits. Send ’em out with ice cream sandwiches. Swap out your church coffee for a local blend. Do something to make it fun and create memories.
4. Remember the outsiders.
The summer is your outdoor volunteers’ time to shine. It’s also a prime time for dehydration, sunburn, and heat stroke. Pay special attention to them, not just for “wow!” moments, but also because it’s the humane and safe thing to do. Provide sunscreen. Make regular water and Gatorade distribution runs. Make sure you’re rolling out the drum fan to your first-time guest tent. Set up some shade stations for your parking team.
5. Throw a party.
Invite volunteers to stick around after church for a catered lunch. Or fire up the grill for a Saturday night cookout. Or rent an ice cream truck and have them bring their kids for a quick after-dinner snack. You don’t have to have a full-blown event to let them know you appreciate them…tiny investments can work just as well.
6. Invite some one-offs.
If #1 is going to be true, you have to make sure you’ve got a backup plan. If hospitality can’t take a vacation, you need to have folks fill in the empty spots. So invite staff or non-serving congregation members to step up for a Sunday. And once they’ve served, invite them to serve again!
7. Write some notes.
The down time of summer is a great time to fire off some notes to vols, thanking them for their service, encouraging them in their time off, and assuring them of your cheerleading as you go into the fall. Make a goal of x number of note cards per week to make it through your entire roster.
8. Plan for the fall.
Finally, your reinvigoration plan involves looking to what’s next. Maybe this is the fall where you finally implement a Guest Services Collective, or lay the groundwork for a High-Capacity Volunteer Cohort, or start hosting regular onboarding training. Communicate these regularly throughout the summer in order to build excitement for the next season.
Yes, summertime is down time. But it doesn’t have to be wasted time. Be intentional about your summer months, and watch your volunteer team come back stronger.
