Volunteers Make It Happen

Volunteers are the life-blood of any non-profit organization. The paid staff and clergy keep the body healthy, of course, and the Board of Trustees through policy-making builds the skeleton on which the church can grow, but its volunteers who put flesh on the bones and make it come alive.vVolunteers give any program or project its human touch – they infuse their work with beauty and humor and fun. They bring skills to the tasks, they bring energy, an they bring the wisdom of the crowd.

But we are all busy people, and sometimes it is difficult to find volunteers to animate a pet project. Howvto recruit volunteers? It starts by asking for help the right way: in person, face-to- face. The personal appeal communicates your sincerity, your commitment, your belief in the importance of the work. It helps people say “yes” if you explain in some detail what needs to be done. Write a job description, or at least indicate the time, travel and skills that might be required. A good place to begin planning for volunteers is at the UUA website: https://www.uua.org/leadership/skills/development/101254.shtml