One of the most challenging elements of leading volunteers is finding time apart from when programming is happening to cast vision, communicate information, and provide opportunities for building community. Volunteers’ schedules can be busy and the time they invest in your organization is invaluable, so it can often feel imposing to ask them to come out for additional meeting times.

Yet without these additional times of training and team building, your organization can quickly sway off-course and away from the mission. E-mail reminders and encouraging high fives in the hallway can go a long way for a short time, but what your volunteers need most is to hear from you face to face. They need an opportunity to hear your heart and vision, and be reminded of what priorities will drive your organization forward.

Don’t skimp on opportunities for volunteers to meet together outside of programming time. Be strategic on when you will gather your volunteers and what mission-critical elements you will include in these times. Take advantage of times together to have fun as a group and praise your volunteers for what they invest each week! Tell stories of big wins that connect with the mission. When done well, training time with volunteers can be more than “just another training.”

Check back next week as we describe how we (Darren and Steph) use HuddleUPs to invest in volunteers in our ministry.