I like to use Case Studies when training volunteers because:They capture a situation for trainees to respond to.They give trainees some real-world exposure to possible clients.They are a good exercise for putting skills into practice.They allow the trainer to see first-hand if trainees are grasping the skills being taught in the training.They provide a different training activity and can replace some lectures in the training.They provide an opportunity for trainees to work together and, at the same time, get to know one another a little.As a trainer, writing for a variety of Pregnancy Centers, it is hard to develop Case Studies that are appropriate for all Centers. In the Equipped to Serve training manual I have tried to write Case Studies that are generic enough to use in most Centers. The goal is not to have written the perfect client scenario but to write a scenarios that best help trainees [ Read more ]
Probably one of the most difficult tasks for Pregnancy Center staff is volunteer recruitment. Does volunteer recruitment feel exhausting to you?I thought I might try and brainstorm a few creative ideas for volunteer recruitment, especially focusing on this difficult time of social distancing and people staying close to home.First I think you might need to think creatively about how you can use volunteers during this pandemic.Here are a few ideas. Of course you will need client permission and contact information for some of these ideas. I imagine that most of these ideas you might have already thought about an incorporated into your volunteer program. If so, good for you!Following up with current clients via zoom and phone callsClient sessions via zoomParenting classes and post-abortion groups via zoomDoor-drop deliveries of materials to clients who need materials assistanceOrganize a virtual baby shower for the Center with a safe drop-off location after the [ Read more ]
Have you ever thought about all the things you are asking volunteers to believe and have faith in?In addition to having faith in Christ, volunteers must believe or have faith in many areas in order to have staying power at a Pregnancy Center. I’ve thought of just a few:The sanctity of human lifeSpeaking the truth in love is our callingThe importance of ministry over manipulationThe Holy Spirit is always by their side when they are with a clientTheir job is not to save or transform but to love and serveThey are being transformed into the image of ChristWhat they are doing matters in the kingdom of GodHave you ever thought about how to reinforce and strengthen your volunteers’ faith in these areas? I imagine that it could improve how long a volunteer might continue to volunteer.Consistent communication, support and envisioning volunteers in these faith areas are so important. How might [ Read more ]
Have you ever gotten lost or overwhelmed when serving a client?Clients can come to the Center:With very complex problemsVery abortion-mindedWith overwhelming circumstancesEnglish as their second languageVery emotionalClosed-down and not saying very muchOften when presented with these situations it is easy to feel overwhelmed and a little lost as to how to proceed. When feeling out of control we tend to jump too quickly to solutions and rush the process. It is at this point we need to pull out our navigation tool – Fundamental #7: The Steps to Crisis Intervention otherwise known as MR FEEF.How does our navigational tool, MR FEEF, help us in these situations?The Steps to Crisis Intervention reminds us:to slow down . . . and breathethat there is a path forward if we follow the road mapwe must listen and validate feelings before offering solutionswe must earn the right to ask deep questionsconnecting comes before giving advice [ Read more ]
Do you become frustrated when you spend time conducting a training class but when training is over only half, or less than half, of the attendees end up volunteering?You get what you ask for, so start by defining what you want.Start by developing a list of the qualities you are looking for in your volunteers. A short list of qualities might include:CommittedConsistent / FaithfulReliableTeachableAligned with your ministry visionHow do you screen for and educate to these qualities?You must search for and honor these qualities in all aspects of your volunteer program – recruitment, screening, training, supervision and appreciation. It is especially important in the recruitment and screening phases. It is important to establish expectations and requirements from the very beginning.RecruitmentYour volunteer recruitment materials must keep in mind the qualities you are looking forHow do you talk about what you do and how you do it in your recruitment?How can you [ Read more ]
“Leaders bring vision, faith and courage to coordinated effort.” Lorne Sanny - The NavigatorsOne of the constant and never-ending jobs of staff at the Pregnancy Center is to write letters or emails to their donors, volunteers, and churches. There are thank you letters to donors and churches and emails to engage and inspire volunteers during this pandemic. Then there are newsletters to your mailing list, and fundraising letters. The list goes on and on.Mind MappingSomething that has helped me in my writing and brainstorming is using a Mind Map.A mind map is a graphical way to represent ideas and concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that helps structure information thereby helping you to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas.In a mind map, as opposed to traditional note taking or a linear text, information is structured in a way that resembles much more closely how your [ Read more ]
How well are your volunteers utilizing the RIGHT listening skills?How do you know what is happening when your volunteers are with their clients?The 5 RIGHT listening skills are the most important fundamental. Why?Most of our understanding and expression of the other fundamentals are expressed in how we listen and respond to what clients tell us.They are tools that create connection with clients.They are the way in which we earn the right to speak into someone else’s life or situation.They are the very vehicles by which we speak the truth in love and minister as opposed to manipulate.It is important to keep these skills in front of volunteers on a regular basis and to figure out how to make sure that volunteers know and are using the RIGHT skills in the right wayHere are some ideas that might help you hold yourself as well as volunteers accountable:Ask volunteers to recite the [ Read more ]
Why panel discussions?Panel discussions provide a variety of perspectives, insights and opinions.Advertising ahead of time what the panel will be discussing and who will be on the panel is possible a great draw or motivation to attend the in-service.Panel discussions are a great way to include other people with expertise and life experience into in-service training both within and outside your organization.It is a way for staff members to learn as well during the panel discussion.What is a panel discussion?A panel discussion is a formal, moderated discussion between selected speakers on a specific topic, in front of an audience. A successful panel discussion will follow a set agenda, specifically a set order of specific events. Keeping to this order and adhering to time limits will make a panel discussion organized and professional. Distributing the agenda ahead of time to panel members and audience participants will assist the moderator in keeping [ Read more ]
ConnectionThis is probably the one thing that has been missing for most of us during this past year due to the pandemic. I am single and live alone. Most of my family members live in the next state about 45 minutes away. Since March that short distance has felt much wider as it has been very difficult to visit with them. I retired from my full time job at the end of December 2019. I had so many plans to travel and make connections with people that I have not seen in a very long time. Sigh! I know you can identify with my situation. Most of us feel the disconnection in one way or another.What do I mean by connecting? It’s being with someone who “gets” me. It’s being with someone who listens and holds space for me. It’s being with someone who withholds judgment and does not feel [ Read more ]
I am adding a few pages in the Foundations section of the Equipped to Serve manual that outlines the three major arms of the pro-life movement. How they are similar and how they are different.I feel this is important because often volunteers come to the Pregnancy Center ministry having been involved in one or more of the various arms of the pro-life movement. In some ways that can be helpful, but in other ways it can be harmful. Some of the methods used in the other arms of the pro-life movement may not be useful when interacting with individual women faced with the decisions of an unplanned pregnancy.It is important, right from the beginning of training, to establish how the Pregnancy Center ministry is different - not better - just different. Different in our mindset and methods and the skills we use to interact with our clients.The three main arms [ Read more ]