Parish volunteers

[CatherineM]

Those of us who work around the parish know how hard it can be at times to get people to volunteer or join thins like the men's or ladies groups. I'd love to start some ideas flowing about what has worked and what hasn't. 

So what kind of things got you to join up, or that you've seen in your parish work well?

One thing that I saw work was scheduling the meeting outside the church building at a restaurant and having the priest come. Kind of like theology on tap but more casual topic. 

The best thing I ever saw was a pastor who held adult education classes. He was a great teacher, people are craving for real knowledge of their faith, and it became THE thing to be a part of.  We got so many people wanting to volunteer for stuff, we had to invent ministries. We started baking pies for new parishioners. We started a hospital visitation program to visit the unchurched. It was nuts. 

[MIKolbe]

We have just recently started Small Groups at my parish.  There was much work that was done: logistics, curriculum, facilitator trainings, etc...  The biggest challenge and fear we had was recruitment.  What if we did all this and no one signed up. showed up?  We did a lot of "advertising" in the bulletin, word of mouth, greeting people after Mass, making presentations during donut Sunday.

Many people like autonomy, so we talked about that..how whatever curriculum you picked, your group would meet when and where you liked as a group.  We also explained the more casual, conversational nature of Small Groups. We stressed the fellowship aspect, which is something we hadn't really done before.

We had our kickoff on the 27th and had over 150 show up, with another 5 or so who were unable to make it, but wanted to join a Small Group.  We saw that as a success.

Not sure what is there to help you, but it was a very recent experience......

[Archaeology cat]

Personally, I'm not involved in something if it isn't family friendly. I don't do things without at least the nursling with me, usually all the kids are with me. So at our parish, the Rosary making club is ideal because the whole family can come. Our Deacon wants whole families as greeters. We aren't official greeters at the moment (still finding my new groove with 4 kids), but we often get there early and my kids hold the doors for the elderly people coming in. Actually, I'd love for there to be something involving kids and the elderly outside of Mass. 

Baking something for new parishioners sounds great, and also something the whole family can help with. 

Bible studies in someone's house, so kids are able to be around, are nice. We had one last summer when we did parish-wide consecration to Mary. It was a nice way to meet other parishioners outside Mass, without just being in the parish hall, too. 

[Basilisa Marie]

If I want people to volunteer for my programs and stuff, I have to create really specific jobs for them to sign up for. Everyone seems really worried about giving up too much of their time, so having the commitment outlined as clear as possible seemed to help. 

People also seem to really like being able to take stuff home to work on and bring back. Like putting craft stuff together. I don't have a whole lot of that going on right now, but people keep telling me they'd be able to do that kind of stuff.  

[Luigi]

Beer.

 

Always have beer.

[MIKolbe]

I agree with AC... If our parish was more "family friendly", it would help gain recruitment.....

[Credo in Deum]

Beer.

 

Always have beer.

Yes! Our parish Oktoberfest is always a hit.  Family's bring their best home brews, we have bratwurst, and games.  Very fun times.  

[Anomaly]

I had belonged to a parish that grew and became large.   We had a printed Ministry book with description, contacts, and normal meeting times.   Then once or twice a year we would hold a well advertised Ministry Fair on Sunday with tables staffed so people could come and talk to current members.  

Some ministries met depending upon who ran it.  For example, SVDPaul was run by my dad and another man.  When they both worked, meetings were nights and weekends.  When they retired, it became during the week with a few of other retirees.  There were/are many other ministries with people at different obligations in life so you could easily find similar people/time frame/interests.  

I think the key was support and autonomy to have a variety of orginazations, then the recuitment fairs so you could meet these people and get to know them.  Stewardship was pretty much promoted culturally at the parish through the 6+ pastors over the last 40+ years.  It can't just depend on the personality of the current pastor. 

[Spem in alium]

Something that worked really well in my old parish was "Family Group". I was a child at the time, but our families would get together for social interaction --- we even went on a retreat/weekend getaway together. There were about five families in our group, from memory. It perhaps was easier to organise because the parish was affiliated with a primary school, so families who knew each other from the school could get together. From memory it was really popular. 

Something else that worked was a Lenten/Advent retreat program which was developed by one of our parishioners. Each week the group would look at the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday, and would reflect on some provided questions. It's been hugely successful that I believe other parishes want to implement it also. 

But yes - meetings outside the church or social gatherings really do work well. People like having a good time (and beer also). You want to place on people just the right amount of commitment - not too many requirements and not too much involvement that they feel overwhelmed or can't be bothered, but also not too little contact that they forget about the group or lose interest. I've found things with monthly meetings or get-togethers generally work well.

 

[Era Might]

I don't have much to add on the organizational side, but would suggest not just thinking about it in terms of "ministries" and "roles" that need to be filled, but also organically seeking out opportunities to play "match maker" when people's talents and people's needs intersect. When someone has a need, an interest, a charism, etc., there needs to be ways to bring people together that is not just role-based. Not sure how that could happen in a parish setting, people need to know each other...maybe there's a ministry in that, though, not doing anything except connecting people and getting to know everyone.

[CatherineM]

I like the matchmaker idea because I'm the kind who likes to be asked. I don't often volunteer just cold. 

[Maggyie]

My main issue as a childless 30 something is that many parishes seem to run like businesses from the 50s. 9 to 5. So many opportunities are designed for stay at home moms or students or retirees. The women's group meets at 5 pm on Mondays. Well I work until 5 and by the time I complete my 30 minute commute their meeting will be done.  

[Basilisa Marie]

My main issue as a childless 30 something is that many parishes seem to run like businesses from the 50s. 9 to 5. So many opportunities are designed for stay at home moms or students or retirees. The women's group meets at 5 pm on Mondays. Well I work until 5 and by the time I complete my 30 minute commute their meeting will be done.  

My home parish has this problem. At a recent "listening session" with our new priest, someone brought up how they'd like to have a women's group. Some of the older ladies got angry because apparently we already have womens' groups, including the "Guild" which "every woman of the parish" is a member. Except no one knew that and their meetings were at 9am on Mondays. 

[Lilllabettt]

I am a childless 30 something. I work in the nursery on Sundays. I also teach 7th grade religious education Tuesday evenings. I have found with parish volunteering, the biggest challenge is getting lay leaders to return my email or phone call. In previous parishes I would offer to volunteer, but it seemed like there wasn't a need, because nobody ever got back to me. I know that dealing with volunteers is a lot of work, and I didn't want to be a bother. At my current parish I offered to volunteer, and with 48 hours I had someone arranging for me to get security clearances, attend curriculum meetings, etc. I instantly felt needed, wanted, and like people were depending on me. 

[CatherineM]

Amazing what can happen when you make volunteers feel appreciated.