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Archive for February, 2011
Seven Steps to a Great Volunteer Appreciation Event
Monday, February 28th, 2011Post Series – Appreciate Your Volunteers
1. Clearly define the purpose
a) This seems like a no-brainer, but the reality is, we as leaders know that this is also a great opportunity to cast vision… and build community and our natural pull is to utilize this time to “make some headway” on the vision front. This is ok, AS LONG AS appreciation is the #1 priority.
b) When thinking of the appreciation – think of the individual and not the group. Don’t think, “will the nursery volunteers like this” instead think “Will Jim or Mary feel appreciated”.
2. Establish your budget
a) Know your box. The first rule in creativity is to create your box. Without limitations, your creativity will run amok and you won’t be able to focus on the specifics of the event.
b) Your budget will keep you focused on #1
3. Theme it out
a) When an appreciation meal is “themed” it becomes an event.
Example) Medieval Night, Carnival, “Night of a Thousand Stars”
4. Use parents, teens, kids…and the staff
a) Be sure to have anyone but YOUR volunteers serve during the event!
b) Unless by having them serve, you show them that you appreciate them.
Example) At our last Carnival night, many of our Team Leaders (volunteer leader of leaders) really wanted to help. When we allowed tem to help this raised their value in front of the other volunteers – we showed them that we love them and appreciate all that they do.
5. Make them Cry
a) Don’t forget to highlight the year’s success through awarding those who have gone above and beyond the call.
b) We give the “Faithful Servant Award” and the Christopher Beltz Award (for special needs volunteers)
6. A token of your appreciation
a) Give them a gift … it doesn’t have to be big… but give them something.
b) T-shirts, bracelets, photos…
7. Share the results
a) Be sure to capture the event through video’s, photos, and written testimonies.
b) This gives your volunteers (and staff) a “Remember When” time.
* Even when things don’t go your way…Record it! – you’ll love to watch it years later and laugh.
I’ve been offering volunteer dinners, parties, and festivals for over 10 years now. It’s a part of every ministry I touch. I’m a believer in appreciating others and never shy away from letting them know that they’re loved!
By the way – my 1st Appreciation banquet was for 8 people (4 of them we’re staff families) Our last one was for over 200 volunteers. – trust me, their worth it!
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My Typical Week as a Children’s Pastor
Thursday, February 24th, 2011
We were challenged over on the CM BUZZ site, to post a little about our weekly schedule. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in family ministry it’s that our schedules are crazy! It’s tough to get it all done! …and yet many times we think back over the week and say “what did I get done this week”? So here’s my 1st step in answering this question: My typical weekly schedule. Each week is different (such as this last week) but typically, I follow this schedule. My staff know it… they understand it… and they help me “get things done amidst the 10,000 distractions.
Here it is:
Monday
Off
Tuesday
9:00 – Into office
9:15 – emails and calendar the week
10:00 – Meeting with Studio 6.7 Ministry Coordinator
11:00 – Studio 6.7 Staff Meeting
(1 hour inductive Bible Study over I and II Samuel)
(1 hour prayer /updates / Discussion)
1:00 – phone calls / Emails
2:00 – 5:00 (Open for meetings or working on Projects)
5:00 – Head home
Wednesday
9:00 – 12:00 Parents resources / blogs / Special Events / etc.
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – 1 on 1 meeting with Staff members
2:00 – (Open for meetings or working on Projects)
3:00 – Counseling appointment
4:00 – Counseling appointment
5:00 – Head Home
Thursday
8:00 – 12:00 LEAD STAFF MEETING
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – Emails and Phone Calls
2:00 – 5:00 (Open for meetings or working on Projects)
5:00 – Dinner at church
6:00 – 8:30 Northview University Kids
9:00 – Head home
Friday
9:00 – counseling appointment
10:00 – 2:00 (Open for meetings or working on Projects)
Saturday
3:00 – Arrive at church – prepare for services
5:00 – Weekend Service
7:00 – Head home
Sunday
8:00 – Arrive at church – prepare for service
9:00 – Service
11:00 – Service
1:00 – Head home
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Rest…Choices… and Time Management
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
Ok, here’s the thing… going to be a crazy day today. We have our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet tonight (carnival theme) and there’s a lot to get ready. We’ve done a lot of the leg work over the past couple of weeks, but there’s still a lot to do.
I almost came in yesterday, but it was my day off and when you only get one of those… you take it. So I made the CHOICE to REST and not work on some things until today.
The quote of the day: “If you wait until the last minute… it only takes a minute.”
~ Hope to post pictures and a description of the event later this week.
- What do you do to appreciate your volunteers?
- When is it held? and why?
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What to do with a broken heart…
Friday, February 18th, 2011
We work with people every day who are dealing with broken hearts.
Forgotten lines
Embarrassing moments
Boyfriend / girlfriend or spouse just left
A family member passed unexpectedly
Just found out that lump is really something to be concerned about
The boss just said NO to your dream
Didn’t get the job
Was just let go…
Whatever the situation is, all you know for sure is that you’ve got a broken heart!
Remember this:
“This didn’t catch God off guard”
“All things work together for the good…”
“God’s in control”
“God’s going to use this in your life to make you more like Him”
“Pain is temporary and Prides forever!”
Clichés won’t help. Sometime they will only make you feel worse.
Nonetheless, they’re probably true…and “this too shall pass.”
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