Dear Leaders of New Hope:

We are connecting our recruiting and assimilation process to the souls of non Christians. We are strengthening our leadership and servant base because we are partnering with God and in covenant with each other to win our family, friends, community and world to Christ! So let’s build healthy relationships and healthy teams – let’s recruit for retention!

Questions to ask your Assimilation Team:

• Do you have a recruiting/assimilation team?
• Do we have a process and strategy for follow up and connection?
• How can we assimilate people more effectively?
• What are the pitfalls of why people are not assimilated into our ministry?
• What are the reasons people should serve in our ministry?

Process:
1. Potential Volunteer name received via email.

2. A phone call should be made to introduce them to ministry and invite them to a specific shadowing time.

3. A follow up email/phone call made to confirm shadow time (2-3 days prior)

4. A reminder postcard or letter can be sent to thank new volunteer.

5. Meet new volunteer for shadow process

Do they know the heart, vision and purpose of the ministry?
Do they know the benefits of serving in this ministry?
Do they know the expectations, orientation and training process?
• What are the expectations?
• What is the Orientation Process?
• What is the Training Process?
Do they have a schedule? When do they serve? Day/Time? Who to report to?
Do they know who to contact if they have any questions?

6. Follow up on volunteer to see how shadowing time went via phone/email.

7. Meet volunteer on next scheduled shift to discuss questions, build relationship, continue shadowing or training.

8. Touches that increase Assimilation:

• Thank you affirmations via phone call, email, note card.
• Invitation to a ministry function (small group, Life group,etc).
• Showing care through prayer – ask if there are areas you can pray for.

What New Volunteers are asking and thinking?

…and What Ministries should answer?

Volunteer: Do I fit in this ministry?
Ministry: What kind of person fits in your ministry?

Volunteer: Do these people care about me?
Ministry: How do we show care and build relationships?

Volunteer: Am I really needed?
Ministry: Do we make people feel needed? Do we create positions/a place for them?

Volunteer: What’s the benefit of joining this ministry?
Ministry: Do we communicate and exemplify the value and benefits for joining our ministry?

Volunteer: What’s the commitment?
Ministry: Are we specific in communicating our expectations and the value behind the commitment involved?

Volunteer: There is so much more to me than what you see?
Ministry: How do we draw out the “best” in our new servants?