How to Host Successful Volunteer Meetings: Practical Tips for Ministry Leaders

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If you want a successful, effective children’s ministry, you need to regularly train your volunteers. Well-prepared volunteers can truly make a kingdom impact, and volunteer training, though not always easy, is a crucial step in that process. Whether you’re new to ministry or a seasoned leader, here are two big tips that will make your volunteer meetings a success.

Tip #1: Plan with Intentionality

To have a successful volunteer meeting, you must start with intentional planning. This likely seems pretty obvious, but you have to plan! Effective planning ensures your meeting is concise, purposeful, and engaging.

  • What are you covering in the meeting?
  • How long will the meeting last?
  • Are you using your time adequately?
  • What is your big meeting objective?

Create a purposeful meeting agenda so you don’t waste anyone’s time. No one wants a meeting for the sake of a meeting. There is important information that needs to be covered, but keep in mind that your volunteers’ time is valuable—they’ll appreciate brevity and clarity.

Super Practical Tip:

Think about how long you have for your meeting. If you don’t have enough content for an hour, don’t fill it with fluff or time-wasters. Your team would much prefer shorter, purposeful meetings to wasted time.

Tip #2: Promotion is a Priority

Do your leaders know, in advance, that this meeting is happening? Do they know it is important and useful? If you fail to promote well, your attendance will show it.

  • Get the training information out in multiple channels multiple times.
  • Make sure you communicate what is being covered.
  • Remind, remind, remind!

Super Practical Tip:

Even with good promotion, you’re likely not to see full attendance. Have a plan in place to ensure those who miss the meeting receive the content.

Don’t Neglect Volunteer Meetings

What your volunteers do week in and week out is important. Your job as the ministry leader is to set both your ministry and your volunteers up for success. Train your volunteers. With a little intentionality, your meetings can have a big impact.

Need some more help when it comes to volunteer training? Check out these resources:

The Author

Amber Pike is an author, speaker, children and family ministry leader, and momma whose passion is to see kids loving the Word of God and walking with Him! She currently serves as the Church and Family Ministry Coordinator at RenewaNation. Amber is the author of Exploring the Bible Through History, The Family Cookbook Devotional, Top 50 Ordinary People in God’s Extraordinary Plan, and Intentional Children’s Ministry. Her most important (and favorite) role in life, however, is taking care of the wonderful family God has blessed her with.

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