To Recruit Volunteers Tell About Mission

By Donald E. Skinner

When recruiting volunteers for committees, rather then telling them "we need you to fill this slot," tell them why they’re the best person for the job. Elaborate on their qualifications, insights, and experiences. Tell them how it fits into the mission of the congregation and how their participation will help the congregation move forward.

Tell them specifically what the position entails, including job description, responsibilities, frequency of meetings, and amount of work required between meetings. Include long- and short-range goals. Also tell them how long the responsibility will last (a month or a year) so they’ll know they won’t be on the committee forever.

From the Workshop on Growth for Small Congregations, Unitarian Universalist Association Department of Congregational, District, and Extension Services.

About the Author

Donald E. Skinner

Donald E. Skinner was the founding editor of the InterConnections newsletter for congregational leaders and a senior editor of UU World from 1998 until his retirement in 2014. He is a member of the Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church in Lenexa, Kansas.

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