Volunteerism

                                                       The Church Needs Volunteers for the Long Haul
             

Any Parish could not exist without the multitude of volunteers that assist the Pastor / Minister and his/her Associates.  A Parish cannot afford the expense needed to maintain the services volunteers provide.  When you consider the number of services provided to the Parish family by volunteers, you become aware of the importance of volunteer service to the Parish.

Parishioners have come to take for granted mundane services accepted as their right simply by being a Parishioner.  Whether you seek a church bulletin, holy water, a neatly decorated altar, clean pews with hymnals reasonably arranged in the racks, songs during mass, Ushers to help with seating and collections, Lectors to vocalize the readings at mass, communion for the homebound and hospitalized, solace for the bereaved, or dozens of other sources of comfort, volunteers provide them. The parish comes together
because individuals volunteer to provide the services they expect for themselves.

An overview of the services volunteers provide will make the reader aware of just how volunteers are working in support of the parish. 

Religious Support Systems
Hospital Apostolate                   Bereavement Support Eucharistic Ministers
Ministry of Consolidation            Lectors             Ushers

Ways and Means
Finance Committee                   Stewardship       600 Club
Feast Committee

Faith
Liturgy Committee             Praise and Prayer        Nocturnal Adoration
Spanish Prayer                 Altar Servers                Baptism Prep
Marriage Prep                   Pre-Cana                     Pro-Life
Choir                               Choristers                    Band
Family Music

Communications
Weekly Bulletin                 Monthly booklet              Web Site

Youth
Youth Service Corps          Elementary School          Religious Ed
Scouting                           Youth Ministry

Adult Involvement
Quilting Club                 St Vincent DePaul        Rosary Altar  
Senior Adult                  School Board               PTA

Several hundred volunteers are currently in place supporting the Parish mission by helping each other.

Other potential volunteers are lost to inertia.  They are lazy.  Still others follow that old bromide "Let George do it."  Some are frightened by the thought of commitment.  When you think about the potential for being a volunteer, that potential becomes secondary to a dozen other "Good" reasons to be a drop-out.  Being a volunteer may start for all the wrong reasons.

It is important to understand the rights and responsibilities of a volunteer in order to have a grasp of the volunteer obligation.  A volunteer gives his/her time and talent.  In most cases the volunteer is taken for granted.  He has no official standing and, yet, at the same time he is the Parish.  The Parish leader, our Pastor/Minister, is selected by the Bishop.  He can be compared to a public servant.  He works for and with us.  The Pastor/Minister and his associates live in our house (The Rectory), receive room and board, and benefit from our granting them the privilege of leadership.  They are paid for their service to the Parish. 

Our weekly envelopes and contributions finance the parish.  Parishioners form the Parish Body Corporate.  Parishioners accrue a responsibility to each other to provide the funds needed to operate the Parish.  The foregoing is proven when one thinks of what would occur if no one made a monetary contribution.  As stewards, all must work to make the Parish succeed.  Our participation is accomplished both by helping to pay for the costs associated with the Parish and, equally important, volunteering our services for the good
of the Parish.

It is impossible for a one person to manage the diversity of service groups that propagate the Parish.  Thank God, someone invented Deacons and Extraordinary Ministers and supplemented them with volunteer leaders.  These people form a layer below the Associates for sharing the work load.  Below them are lesser leaders/coordinators.  Using Politics as an example, the County Republican/Democratic leader has area executives for each community.  The area executives have committeemen managing each election district.  Properly organized committeemen have block captains.  A good organization structure lightens the load that any one person must bear.  Your participation, as a volunteer, in the life of the Parish does likewise.

An individual who accepts the task and responsibility of being a volunteer finds him/her self becoming a combination role model and worker.  One does not become a volunteer without training and awareness of the duties of the job.  Yes, being a volunteer is a job.   It is an important job because it sets an example for others in both our Parish and Community.

Most volunteers find that the volunteer job is more difficult than their gainful employment.  Volunteers serve with goodness in their hearts.  If a volunteer's leader becomes too bossy, the volunteer stays home.  Many a good volunteer is lost because their volunteer leader treated them as paid employees rather than as a friend intent on helping the parish.

Why should you volunteer?

Human nature is such that people seek fulfillment.  Each of us is different.  A young adult volunteer can use his service to get ready for life in the workplace or to add to his/her educational experience. We develop or hone skills as a volunteer.  Those involved gain from the relationships that are part of their service.  Working with other volunteers helps to explore career options.  Do you want to push paper or a shovel?  Should you lead or serve?  Meeting and working with people as a volunteer allows you to network and, perhaps, alert others to your capabilities.  This helps you grow both spiritually and mentally.

If you look about you at services, you will notice that most volunteers tend to be older.  Young people are missing an opportunity.  Unfortunately young adults, who could or should volunteer, do not realize the benefits suggested above.  We are a mature Parish.  We need the ideas and vitality of young Parishioners.  Younger Parishioners should consider volunteering.  They need not jump in over their head.  Dip a toe in and test the waters.  Most are pleasantly surprised by the satisfaction they find.

A note of caution is in order.  Many volunteers drop out because they take on an unreasonable burden.  Before you volunteer, determine what is required of you.  Do not fear the word "no."  As water runs down the hill, work is delegated to those who cannot say "no."

More experienced and a bit older people also could benefit from becoming a volunteer.  First and foremost they develop social awareness.  One needs only view the camaraderie within the Volunteer Fire Department to gain a feeling about group participation.  Not everyone can be a fireman but everyone can be a Parish volunteer.  At any age, we can learn through service to others.  Dealing with people helps to expand self confidence. 

As you interact you discover strengths and talents that are beyond your workplace experience.  Workplace experiences, usually taken for granted, are nuggets of gold in the universe of Parish needs.  My experience as a volunteer allowed me to build a sense of self satisfaction.  I found that I could accomplish tasks both with and without dependence on others.  Dependence on an equal (sharing) is a reward onto itself.  Achievement without competition is a good thing.  The sense of accomplishment that comes from activities for the benefit of others cannot be described.  It has to be experienced.

Meeting fellow volunteers expands your social circle.  We normally focus our lives on our local neighborhood or background.  Typically we gravitate toward like-minded individuals.  As we grow older, our minds create a ghetto-like attitude that narrows our potential.  A volunteer gains the opportunity to meet and work with people from diverse backgrounds.  Volunteering is a mind-expanding experience.

Volunteers are like water.  They expand to fill the void.  A note of explanation is in order.  The volunteer expands at his/her own pace.  A volunteer cannot fail.  Most quit rather than admit frustration.  Those who persevere grow to become better people.

Characteristics of a Volunteer Leader

As a volunteer gains experience, he or she uses that experience to help others.  Being accepted as someone who is knowledgeable helps you to grow.  Being a leader doesn't just happen.  One day, you reflect and find that others depend on you.  Your peers have made you a defacto "boss."  You have grown to be respected.  It is interesting to note that a Pastoral appointee or designate seldom fares as well as those chosen by natural selection.  

The volunteer leader, when he recognizes his changed situation, accepts new skills and more importantly self-adopted responsibilities.  In the group, he or she must:

1. Develop a volunteer's job description - This need not be formal or written, but a volunteer should know what is expected of him/her.  This helps a leader to judge who does what best. Understanding grows successful volunteers.

2. Recruit new volunteers - There are dozens of people who want to help.  Most are shy or worried about the load they will accept.  After finding a person with potential, the volunteer leader must ease the candidate into his flock.  Let him/her try the job.  Help them to appreciate what they are doing for the Parish.  Remember: the volunteer is donating his work to the Parish.  Pay for service is not a consideration.  

3. Interview candidates - Learn a little about those volunteering in order to assess how they will work in the group.  An otherwise talented individual might not be capable of switching roles or growing.  Each volunteer should be viewed as a welcomed successor to his leader.  My greatest success is standing at the rear during the service and knowing my team members do their jobs best without my guidance.

4. Orientation and Training - It is the job of the volunteer leader to make the candidate/new volunteer comfortable.  If a person understands his duties, he will be more likely to stay the course.  Being a volunteer leader does not come with an owner's manual.  Volunteers are happiest when they grow and learn at their own pace.  They must trust their leader.  He must recognize their abilities and trust them in return.  When I became incapacited, I knew that I had eight replacements who would carry my load.  They do it well.

This leads to most important part of volunteer management.

5. Supervision - The volunteer leader leads by example.  He suggests those areas that require bolstering or improvement.  He does not make a spectacle of his leadership.  He suggests by showing how he thinks a task could be accomplished.  He accepts other points of view.  Many times, unasked, individuals come up with a "better mouse trap."  The team  makes the leader a success.

6. Recognition - As volunteers do not receive any financial reward, the volunteer leader must acknowledge both participation and service.  A simple "Thank you" voiced in public before his peers goes far to cement a volunteer's involvement.

Back to the Beginning

Let us go back to the beginnings of why a person considers volunteering in our Parish.   While participating at mass or reading the Bulletin or Courier, we might think about becoming a volunteer.  Should you choose to volunteer, the role should suit you and match your personality.  As spoken in the Bible stand back and allow someone to recognize your talent and invite you to sit in a higher place.

A little introspection goes a long way to focus the successful volunteer.  Realistically, what are your skills and abilities.  Building a booth for the Annual Parish Feast is as important as any other job in the universe of Parish volunteering.  If you happen to be a carpenter or a person handy with his hands, you have a natural fit.  For the past fifteen years one man has ushered and provided ushers for the anticipated Christmas Service in the basement.  It is his one service to me.  During the pressure of Christmas I have come to
depend on him.  Every Christmas Eve he is my best Volunteer.  His dependable once a year, as needed, effort stands out.  His volunteer effort reduces the load placed upon my Ushers on this Holiest of Days.

Decide what you want to accomplish as a volunteer.  Remember to be practical and start with reasonable bites.  Link your abilities and interests with the volunteer group you choose.  If you are tone deaf, you should not apply for the choir.  Research the volunteer activities in the Parish.  Talk to the Pastor or Associate or Deacon or group leaders.  Learn about  needs in the Parish.  If you see a fit, exploit it.  Keep looking if you are not sure of how you can participate.  The fun and reward of being a volunteer are in being a part of
any group where everyone reaps the benefits of your participation.  Once you begin your volunteer career you may find new areas that are a better fit.  Strive for the best fit without becoming a butterfly moving from flower to flower.  You can be active in more than one place if you have the time and inclination.

It helps to ask questions to determine how you fit into the group.  Ask the leader or a senior member to explain the job you will be accepting.  How does your job fit into the grand scheme of things?  Reject make-work jobs.  Identify skills that you will use and/or develop.  Try on the job for a short period of time.  Should you realize that the fit isn't right, tell the leader.  Many times accommodations will be made to keep volunteers interested and participating in other venues.

You must decide what you have to offer and where it benefits both you and the Parish.  It is said that the silliest question is the one never asked.  So ask.

Ask an usher, lector, EM, Deacon or priest after mass to direct you to a person knowledgeable about Parish need for volunteers.  Many times the most knowledgeable person about a group's activities will not be the Pastor/Minister.  His management style was that of delegation.  He had enough on his plate.  He functioned as a Court of Last Resort.  A leader could approach him with the problem and alternative solutions if the leader could not decide.  Then, and only than, would the he choose.  I found that he knew a great deal more than he was credited with knowing.  Thinking back, his trust in his leaders made it
imperative to solve our own little situations.  His style expanded our abilities.

Asking questions is a two-sided affair.  Leaders of volunteer groups always begin with simple questions, i.e., how did you learn about our mission and goals?   Have you volunteered before?  Why do you want to be a part of this group?

The questions graduate to those more personal, i.e., what are your interests?  What skills, abilities and qualities can you contribute?  How much time can you devote to being a volunteer?  Do you volunteer in other venues? (Knowing this prevents conflicts of time and interest.)  Do you have any special needs? (Having a prosthetic leg hinders my movement.)

Volunteering is a two-way street.  The more we know about each other, the better fit we can forge.

Summary

Being a volunteer for the Parish at any level is rewarding.  Every Parishioner has the potential to participate at some level.  If you have stayed the course and read this entire essay, you accomplished a first step.  There is much we, as individuals, seek to accomplish.  If you are like me, you have many ideas and unfulfilled dreams.  Take the first step.  Find out whom needs help and how you might help.  Then pray for guidance.  I look forward to learning that many of my readers have become participating volunteers.  If I might help you to decide, do not hesitate to contact me.