Volunteers - 2 of 3

OK, here is my second blog on the "volunteer" theme. Remember, I am not an expert. I am only blogging on "volunteers" because I am learning also. Personally I found this next one important for the staff of CJC.

The easiest way to defeat a volunteer is to waste his/her time.


Here's how it happens. A pastor teaches about serving, creatively communicates needs, and extends personal invitations. People sign up to serve. In best-case scenarios, they're even directed into their areas of giftedness and passion.
The volunteer leaves work early and gets a babysitter, drives forty-five minutes, and shows up ready to serve-- then discovers that he/she is not needed. There are a million scenarios that this could apply to...(there is not enough of work, the skills they thought were needed actually are not, the project does not start on time, the project is not ready). The volunteer stands around for twenty minutes waiting for someone to show up with letters he/she is supposed to stuff into envelopes. Waisting volunteer's time is the best way to assure that he/she will never show up again.