I like to sit in my backyard, light a fire in the fire pit, and relax. It is great sitting around fire just talking with friends, no agenda, just enjoying the fire and each one’s company.
Lately, I have been posting an “open invitation” for people to join me around the fire pit to relax and enjoy the evening chatting and relaxing. The results of those “open invitation” has shown me a direct correlation to how many people go about recruiting. Let’s look at the comparison I see.
I can visualize my “open Invitation” like an announcement during a church service, or a note in the church bulletin. It is sent out to a broad base of people making the assumption that everyone will see it, or hear it, which simply is not the case. Of all of the “open invitations” that I have given, I have had no one show up and respond to the invitation (see the empty bench?). People have responded and said that if they lived closer they would join me, but no one in the area with the ability to be a part of the evening.
The people that have joined me around the fire pit have been those who I have personally asked to join me. Much like people who volunteer, they are often the ones who have received a personal invitation.
So why don’t people respond to an “open invitation”? Could it be that responding to an “open invitation” is like inviting yourself to the party? We want to feel like we belong, like we are personally wanted at the event, not just part of the crowd.
Do you use an “open invitation”? How does it work for you?
What are effective ways you recruit volunteers?
This is so true! I did the open, “come join me at the fire” and only had 2 families show up.
When it comes to recruiting, shoulder tapping is definitely the best way, but often fear holds us from asking and we prejudge the ones we are thinking about asking and assume they are too busy, or they will just say no so we never get around to asking. I am changing my approach and I’m putting the word out that we are recruiting and then I’ve prepped my needs list, job descriptions, and have our first training gather all prepared. I then am working my list and will be personally asking people to come to an info meeting where I can share the vision, needs, info and will give them 24 hours to pray. I don’t think that’s unreasonable. It should take people long to know they fit and can serve or not. am I wrong?
“… I can share the vision, needs, info and will give them 24 hours to pray. I don’t think that’s unreasonable. It shouldn’t take people long to know they fit and can serve or not. am I wrong?”
I agree. If it takes a long time for people to “pray about it”, then they are really saying it’s not for them. People who have a heart for children’s ministry (or any ministry) will know pretty quick if the ministry is a fit.
Thank you for commenting.