Need more volunteers? Implement divestiture
Recently I took part in a Society for Nonprofits presentation by Susan Ellis. She helped tackle the big question on responding to trends in volunteerism. I’ve highlighted one idea to sustain and advance a Jesus Cares Ministries program to reach more people.
Divestiture means to break up an asset into smaller pieces. We are not divesting your ministry or its components. What we need to divest, says Susan Ellis, is the word “VOLUNTEER.” Change up the word into what really describes what you’re looking for in a volunteer and it could attract 50 percent more highly skilled people to advance the mission of sharing Jesus with people who have disabilities in your local area.
General volunteer replacement words to engage potential volunteers.
- Intern
- Service-learner
- Pro-bono worker
- Lay Ministry
- Civic Engagement
- Active Citizen
- Good Neighbor
Or try using a word to describe the job.
- Skilled Story-teller
- Pro-bono graphic artist
- Donated Professional Accountant
- Lay Ministry Project Assistant
- Community Engager
- Lay Ministry Manager
Let us know your program successes! Contact us for more ideas.