We Need Help NOW!

Looking back over the answers to questions posed to the brunch attendees, two large themes jump out immediately.  The first deals with an “entitlement” mentality and the second deals with the struggle that leaders have in obtaining responsible volunteers and other people to walk beside them in leadership.

Leaders’ comments reflect that groups struggle with getting people past the first stage of homeschooling and getting them to embrace the wonderful aspects of moving on from there.  When we begin homeschooling, it is a new adventure fraught with a fairly steep learning curve.  That is because for the majority of us we are stepping into completely unknown territory.  As new homeschoolers there is so much to absorb and so many decisions to make.  Naturally, people are more “needy” at that point.  But as they settle into the homeschooling lifestyle, we expect for them to move beyond being a “taker” and move into being a “giver.”  The problem is many members are not doing that.

Some leadership responses to that are to require certain commitments from their members to ensure that not just a few persons are doing the work of many.  But even with those kinds of requirements, members are failing to keep their commitments and are letting down not only themselves but others who are depending on them.  That’s an exercise in frustration!  Leaders also share that members are “shopping” around from groups in the area seeking to see what the group can do for their family, and perhaps joining several groups so that they can experience the different offerings that groups have.  That wouldn’t be a problem if these members were giving back in an essential way, but with commitments to several groups that’s not happening as people are spread too thin.

No wonder leaders are frustrated!  As we try to meet the needs of our groups, there’s only so much we can pour into them and not become depleted ourselves.  We need help and we need it now!  Perhaps it is helpful for us to remember that typically 23% of adults volunteer their time to non-profit organizations according to Barna Research.  Not finding that ratio within your group and wondering what to do now?  Let’s start with the basics.

First and foremost is to pray.  Pray for the Lord to provide the right volunteer who is a good fit with the others in leadership in your group and others who are already volunteering.  Pray for someone who is reliable, has a teachable spirit, understands authority, is forgiving and is LIKE-MINDED.  Putting the wrong person into a volunteer or leadership position can be a difficult mistake to overcome.  If you find there’s someone in your group that seems qualified to serve, perhaps they are merely waiting to be asked to serve.  Strike up conversations with that person so that you can learn more about them and begin the process of building a relationship that may lead to them becoming a volunteer or leader.

It is important to be precise and clear in your expectations of new and old volunteers or leaders.  Communication is vital and needs to be mutual – meaning you need to be willing to hear what the new volunteer is expressing as well as what you are trying to impart to them.

Developing written task lists that include the definition of the position with information that precisely expresses the expected commitment level, goals, responsibilities, resources, timeline, and accountability level and structure breeds success.  Establishing this strong foundation helps ensure satisfaction in volunteers/leaders which helps them want to continue to serve.  Providing an evaluation process at the conclusion of the task or year allows for development and growth that meets the needs of the volunteer or leader as well as those they serve.

     As leaders, we also need to know when to let something go if there is no one to coordinate it or fill the role of volunteer or leader.  This can be painful, but necessary.  Some leaders have dropped certain aspects of their groups due to a lack of volunteer or leader only to have someone rise up to assume the task after a short while because they missed that aspect of the group enough to take on the responsibilities of doing it for others.  Other leaders have learned that it was time to move on to other things and to let that aspect of their group go.

We encourage you to grow in your own leadership skills.  Here’s a short list of books we have found helpful:  The Peacemaker by Ken Sande, essential for those who lead others no matter what the setting is; Handoff: The Only Way to Win the Race of Life by Dr. Jeff Myers, how to establish and build leadership skills in yourself and others; and The Book on Leadership by John MacArthur, the essential how-to book that will vividly point out what skills you need as a leader and how to develop them in yourself and others.

Mike and Paula Anderson

Psalm 25:5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me.

Copyright August 2008 all rights reserved