b'Retain Volunteer21IDEASLeaders With TheseA\x1fer spending time and eort getting the stellar leaders you have to help you run your ministry, stop and thank God. Then do your best to retain your leaders by communicating with them personally and collectively throughout the year in a way that makes them feel respected, valued and celebrated. Weve provided some ideas for you to add to what you already are doing.1 As soon as you have your team of leaders, host12 Involve parents in all aspects of your ministry so a kicko meeting to reiterate your church andthey can support their childrens eorts and the ministry mission and their role in discipling thework of your leaders.leaders of the future Church.13 Encourage leaders to forge relationships with 2 If it turns out a volunteer leader is skilled orparents and share with them what their children passionate in an area in which they are not serving,have accomplished each night.do yourbest to put them in a role that better ts their gi\x1f mix. 14 Inspire volunteers by asking them to recall a leader who impacted them when they were kids or who 3 Take the precautions necessary to keep everyoneimpacted them during the ministry year.safe and healthy.15 Share the story of an adult who was in your ministry 4 Schedule regular meetings to create anas a kid to demonstrate how inuential yourenvironment of open communication andministry is even a\x1fer children and teens grow up.cooperation between you and your team, and16 Show your appreciation in a tangible way. Consider leader and leader. baking cookies or giving out a $5 gi\x1f certicate5 If a leader is struggling or needs assistance, be theto a local coee shop with a note that says, Thanks rst to lend a helping hand. a latte for all you do.6 Be aware of adult/kid ratiosnot only for child17 Organize a midyear event to thank your leaders for safety issues, but also to reduce volunteer leadertheir commitment to the kids and to your ministry.burnout. 18 Have an end-of-year celebration just for leaders 7 Be cognizant of your leaders family situationswhere they can share their favorite moments of theand needs. ministry year. Together, dream about what next 8 Create a culture of prayer by praying together as ayear could be like.community of leaders for your ministry, the kids19 Follow up the end of the ministry year with a more andfamilies involved in it, and one another. detailed survey, based on your years goals and9 Select a passage of Scripture that all the leadersprevious evaluations.can meditate on and memorize as a group. 20 Before everyone breaks at the end of the ministry 10 Spend time getting to know other volunteer leaders. year, approach each leader and personally ask their intentions for serving next year.11 Form a book club with your leaders and read21 Stay connected with your team through the break inspiring child discipleship books such asby using social media, Zoom, and the occasionalForming Faith, The Faith of Our Children andcoee or lunch.Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church.CHILDDISCIPLESHIP.COM RESOURCE Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers10'