Volunteer Venue

Recruiting and keeping volunteers is always a challenge in a non-profit. In a Pregnancy Center, there are many areas to serve but often the workers are few. Sound familiar? Jesus knew the harvest was waiting but the workers were few. We want our organization to be the venue that volunteers are seeking to serve at. There is a harvest at Pregnancy Centers that is beyond what most churches see. Many individuals cross our paths and enter our care rooms searching for hope and the one who can be the source. We have a great opportunity to impact many lives and infuse their hearts with love. How can we recruit the volunteers that will be passionate about bringing in the harvest? Here are a few helpful tips that I've learned from different individuals along the way.

Hosting an Open House event can bring volunteers. Create fliers and market in your community, college, and churches. Create a church database and call these churches and request a week to be able to set up a table for volunteer recruitment. Have an information session at your center at various times throughout the year with coffee and dessert. Then those interested can complete a volunteer application at the session. Have lunch with current volunteers and ask their ideas. Write down their stories and use them in marketing for new volunteers.

Partner with the Career Services Department of a local college. Advertise a variety of volunteer opportunities including fundraising.

You don't have to accept every volunteer. Screening is important. If they are not a good fit for your center needs then have a list of other community volunteer opportunities. Implement an appreciation week. Spend time keeping the ones you have.