Building capacity may be buzzwords to some, but Volunteer Centers take that charge very seriously.  Developing or expanding existing programming to faith groups strengthens their ability to serve and creates opportunities for community growth.  Here are some ideas for Volunteer Center outreach to congregations.

• Volunteer Recruitment and Referral
  
• Volunteer Management Training
  
• Volunteer Recognition
  
• Disaster Services
  
• Youth and Family Volunteering
  
• Seasons of Service

Volunteer Recruitment and Referral
Connecting congregations through community referrals brings people and resources together serving both the Volunteer Center’s nonprofit members and the congregations. Volunteer Centers often serve as a one-stop shop for information on volunteering.
 
Suggested activities:

• Post community volunteer needs in faith group’s service bulletins and newsletters
• Link from the congregation’s website to yours for up-to-date volunteer listings
• Send e-newsletter to congregations on a regular basis
• Make contact with the local ministerial alliance and other faith leader networking groups
• Speak to classes, social groups, guilds, and other gatherings of members
• Match congregations to nonprofit partners with a shared interest
• List congregation’s community volunteer opportunities in 1-800volunteer.org and other online referral services

Volunteer Management Training
One of the essential services provided by Volunteer Centers is training.  Offering volunteer management training to faith-based organizations builds the capacity of the congregation to meet volunteer needs within their faith group and to reach beyond the congregation in service to the greater community.    Marketing training programs to faith groups will expand possibilities for participation in new service efforts, promote general awareness of volunteer management issues and Volunteer Center services, and generate training revenue.

Suggested activities:

• Market Volunteer Management Training Series (VMTS) and other Volunteer Center programs to faith communities
• Offer VMTS – Faith Module to clergy and lay leaders
• Provide consulting services and customized workshops to congregations
• Send monthly e-newsletters with volunteer management tips for congregations

Volunteer Recognition
Each year, Volunteer Centers across the nation host recognition events to bring attention to the good work of volunteers.  Many faith-based organizations already participate in these activities but few Volunteer Centers intentionally reach out to them.  Being more inclusive of faith groups will better reflect the community and allow the Volunteer Center to reach more people.

Suggested activities:

• Invite faith-based groups to nominate volunteers for community recognition events
• Share information with congregations regarding local and national awards
• Seek media coverage of interfaith events
• Offer National Volunteer Week information and resources
• Provide congregations with information on members that make a significant contribution to a project or event
• Thank faith groups that participate in Days of Service or other community events
• Provide speakers for recognition events

Disaster Services
When disaster strikes, people of faith, individually and in groups, are among the first to offer help.  Volunteer Center and faith group partnerships strengthen the community’s ability to respond and recover from disaster by quickly drawing organized groups together in service.  Coordinated disaster planning and mutual agreements allow Volunteer Centers to educate congregations about disasters, facilitate training, complete volunteer screening, identify needed skills or resources and track registered volunteers. 

Suggested activities:

• Before a disaster, work with local Emergency Management Authority (EMA), Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), and faith leaders to define organizational roles in the community’s emergency response plan
• Provide congregations with disaster preparedness and education materials
• Recruit congregations and individual members for disaster response teams
• Identify congregation’s resources and secure agreements for use in times of disaster
• Use 1-800volunteer.org or other referral service to recruit disaster volunteers, track individual skills, and maintain a usable database of individuals available for disaster service

Youth and Family Volunteering
Volunteer Centers and faith groups alike strive to build a culture of service that can be passed from one generation to the next.  Volunteer Centers support family and youth volunteering.

Suggested activities:

• Participate in FamilyCares, a POLF initiative, providing tools for Volunteer Centers to promote compassion through hands-on family projects that help others in need
• Promote family and youth opportunities to congregations
• Categorize youth and family activities in 1-800volunteer.org or other volunteer referral system
• Plan family activities with faith groups

Seasons of Service
Season of Service Days are valuable opportunities to engage the faith community.  These one-day events often create lasting community partnerships and enduring commitments to service. 

Suggested activities:

• Target faith groups for Day of Service events
• When appropriate ask faith leaders to bless activities
• Provide faith-sensitive programming and logistics
• Facilitate reflection activities as a part of the Day’s events
• Partner with congregations to plan activities