I attended a 1st meeting for soccer coaches tonight. I sat in a room with 30-40 other volunteers all giving up their time to contribute to their kid's, and by default, other kid's summer soccer experience. From the VP to the assistant coach (me), every one's a volunteer. (disclaimer: volunteering for soccer isn't identical to volunteering in God's kingdom work - but here's a few things I learned tonight.)
Random Thoughts:
- it's hard to keep people in a role when the conditions are not ideal - especially when there's selfish complaints by the people you serve; As a result there's a high turn over (the VP of the league is NEW; last year's resigned b/c he got ridiculous comments - even threats from parents; who needs that.)
- you can only stay in a role like that when you feel called; who feels called to VP a soccer association with less than grateful parents?
- COMMUNICATE: I was in this environment for the 1st time (many 1st timers, hence the turn over), and there was no form, no hand out, nothing on the wall, no follow-up steps; all verbal and sporadic info
- CLARITY: I needed to KNOW some things, and they weren't all clear
- ORGANIZED: there was lots of, "you'll hear about this soon," or "we'll discuss that and get back to you," or "we don't have an answer for that;" Indirectly they were telling me to figure it out or wait for further details. Kind of like Mission Impossible - info when you need it, not before.
- MY TIME: coaching clinics are on 2 alternate Sundays from 9-12; They chose 2 dates so everyone could make it to at least one. Why not 2 dates - 2 different days. I.E. they assume every one's free on Sunday AM. I admit, I have a unique appointment on Sunday - I preach. However, I actually might try and do the 1st hour, and then get to church (I would not normally do this, but I need to learn some coaching skills if I take this thing seriously.) Culturally, this tells me Sunday AM is becoming the last bit of free time people do have.
- DECEIT: we were told to recruit parent-volunteers and let them know that there's teams that can fold if they don't step up; this isn't actually true, but it twists parents arms to get involved. Isn't there a better way then lying?
So what?
I think I can learn a lot as a church leader when I consider the volunteers in our church:
- Over communicate is better than under communicate: verbal, visual, in hand.
- don't assume every one's ready to serve effectively just b/c they've signed up; people need instruction
- be organized in your mind and presentation, even for intro sessions (especially introductions - it sets the standard)
- never manipulate just to get people to sign up for something
- equip people to do what they've signed up for; don't assume that just b/c they're willing, they don't care to be trained
- be upfront with the people you're dealing with or serving; people innately want the most for their time and $, so they will naturally take advantage; if you let them know your limits they might not step on you; the less people get stepped on, the longer they stay in their role; wear and tear on emotions always result in withdrawal.
Sitting in as a genuine volunteer relying on other's leadership was an invaluable experience.
Thoughts?
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