1. Pray—pray for the leaders and volunteers that God would have you put in place in club. Also ask potential leaders to pray about serving in club.

2. Begin early—if possible, start recruiting several months before the new club year. Ask current leaders who they would recommend and why. Make a list of potential leaders and follow up on it.

 
3. Create a vision statement to inspire and inform potential—and current—leaders. Include Pioneer Clubs’ purpose (given at the beginning of all plan books), your group’s philosophy, and your expectations for club.

 

4. Outline the job—before you approach anyone, prepare a job description. Recruit one-on-one in a relaxed atmosphere. Take a potential volunteer out for coffee. Don’t forget to bring sample curriculum to review and follow up with an email or phone call a few days later.

 

5. Be positive! Instead of saying, “I’ve asked 300 people already…” try a positive approach such as, “We need someone with your creative ideas to help with….”

6. Be honest. Don’t gloss over responsibilities because you think someone might back off. Tell potential volunteers how much preparation time is involved and the expected responsibilities.

7. Look beyond parents. While parents make great leaders, you may want to introduce other positive role models. For example, seniors make great volunteers and bring wonderful life experiences to club.

 

Check out the Club Coordinator's Manual for more recruiting ideas.

 

 

Outside forces and circumstances sometimes require even the most dedicated Pioneer Clubs coordinators to adjust their commitments. If you need to pass along the leadership baton, use this checklist for a smooth transition so that your club program continues to thrive.

Every Pioneer Clubs program needs leaders and volunteers to run it. Successful recruitment starts with the right attitude. You’re helping people find a place in their church where they can serve the Lord. Now that’s an exciting endeavor! Try these tips for finding volunteers.

Why is a vision for children’s ministry important? Effective recruitment begins with a solid vision. Vision, in turn, brings passion. As a coordinator, ask yourself, “Why is children’s ministry important in my church?”