Sarah's been helping two years now. Amazing with kids. Always shows up. Great ideas.
But she still asks permission for everything. "Can I change this activity?" "Should I handle this differently?" "Is it okay if..."
Driving me crazy. Want her take ownership not constantly check with me.
Realized I created this. Always micromanaging. Never letting volunteers actually lead anything.
Started trying give people real responsibility. See what happens when actually trust them.
Give Them Actual Decisions
Used to make every decision myself. What activities. What snacks. How handle problems. Everything.
Now I ask volunteers decide stuff. "Sarah what activity you think would work best?" "Tom how should we handle this behavior issue?"
First they kept asking what I wanted them do. Had to keep saying "No you decide. Your call."
Takes time for people believe you actually want their input. But once they get it volunteers way more invested.
Let Them Fail
This one's hard. Want to jump in fix things when volunteers struggling.
Tom tried this craft activity was complete disaster. Kids frustrated. Supplies everywhere. Total mess.
My instinct was take over. Instead I helped him figure out what went wrong how fix it next time.
Now Tom's way more confident trying new things. Knows I won't throw him under bus if something doesn't work.
People don't learn leadership without making mistakes.
Stop Hovering
Used to stand right next volunteers "helping" which really just meant watching everything they did.
Started walking away. Going other side room. Even leaving entirely sometimes.
Volunteers way more natural with kids when not being watched constantly. Kids respond better too.
Lisa mentioned she felt like was being tested all the time. Now she actually enjoys volunteering instead feeling scrutinized.
Ask Their Opinion
Started asking volunteers what they think about everything. How kids are doing. What's working. What isn't.
"Tom what you notice about Jake lately?" "Sarah how you think Emma's handling new baby at home?"
Volunteers see kids differently than I do. Notice things I miss. Have insights worth hearing.
Mike pointed out Marcus always acts up when his dad drops him off but fine when mom brings him. Never would've noticed that pattern.
Let Them Recruit
Instead me trying find all new volunteers asked current ones bring friends.
Sarah brought her neighbor who's teacher. Tom brought his brother-in-law. Lisa invited friend from work.
People more likely say yes when asked by friend who loves volunteering than stranger calling from church.
Plus volunteers who recruit feel ownership over people they bring. Help them get settled. Take responsibility for their success.
Give Them Teams
Instead everyone reporting to me started giving experienced volunteers their own small teams.
Sarah leads craft activities with two helpers. Tom handles games with few volunteers. Lisa coordinates snacks with parent helpers.
Volunteers feel trusted with real responsibility. Get experience leading people. Takes pressure off me to manage everyone.
Share the Why
Used to just tell volunteers what do without explaining reasoning behind it.
Now I explain why we do things certain ways. What we're trying accomplish. How activities connect to lessons.
"We do this craft because kids learn better when using their hands." "This game teaches cooperation."
When volunteers understand purpose behind activities they can adapt and improve instead just following instructions.
Let Them Plan
Started letting volunteers plan whole lessons sometimes.
"Sarah you handle next Sunday's craft and activity. Whatever you think would work."
First time she planned everything in advance asked my approval. Had to tell her just do it.
Lesson was actually better than most mine. Kids loved activities she chose. Felt way more creative and fresh.
Protect Their Decisions
When parent complained about activity Tom planned I backed him up.
"Tom thought this through. I trust his judgment. Let's see how it works."
Volunteers need know you'll support their decisions even when others question them.
If volunteer makes genuinely bad call address it privately later. Don't undermine them front of kids or parents.
Give Them Resources
Can't expect volunteers lead without giving them tools they need.
Started sharing curriculum resources with them. Books about child development. Articles about teaching techniques.
"This might help with craft planning." "Thought you'd find this interesting."
Shows you're investing in their growth not just using them fill spots.
Recognize Their Leadership
When volunteers do good job leading make sure everyone knows.
"Sarah planned amazing activities today. Kids loved everything she chose."
Tell parents. Mention it announcements. Let other volunteers know who's taking leadership.
Recognition encourages more leadership. Other volunteers see it's valued want to step up too.
Create Leadership Opportunities
Started giving volunteers specific leadership roles with titles.
"Tom you're our Activities Coordinator." "Lisa you're Craft Leader." "Sarah you're Small Group Leader."
Titles might seem silly but they matter to volunteers. Makes them feel officially recognized trusted.
Also helps parents kids know who to go to for different things.
What Doesn't Work
Micromanaging everything volunteers do. Never letting them make real decisions. Jumping in save them from every mistake.
Only asking input then ignoring what they say. Undermining their decisions front of others. Giving responsibility without resources.
Expecting people become leaders overnight. Not recognizing when they do step up.
What Actually Works
Giving real decisions let them own. Supporting their choices even when different from yours. Letting them learn from mistakes.
Stepping back giving them space. Asking their opinions actually listening. Letting them recruit others.
Providing resources they need succeed. Recognizing their leadership publicly. Creating official opportunities lead.
What I See
Volunteers way more engaged when feel trusted with real responsibility. Come up with better ideas than I do sometimes.
Less stress on me when others sharing leadership load. Ministry stronger with multiple leaders instead just me.
New volunteers see leadership opportunities want get involved. Word spreads about empowering environment.
Truth About This
People rise to level expectations you set. Treat volunteers like helpers they'll act like helpers. Treat them like leaders they'll become leaders.
Most volunteers want more responsibility not less. They're bored just following instructions want make real difference.
Empowering others scary at first but results worth it. Ministry grows stronger when more people feel ownership.
Takes longer train leaders than do everything yourself. But builds something sustainable instead dependent on one person.
