Awake this morning and headed to pre-conference at Orange 11. A few of the things I love about pre-conference is the small crowd, the laid back feel, and the practical side of the breakouts. Here is where I am headed today. The theme for my pre-con is VOLUNTEERS. Can’t wait to share some ideas about empowering volunteers to become the leaders God has created them to be! Hope to post a few notes from each session.

HOW TO: MOTIVATE VOLUNTEERS >> Kendra Flemming
Volunteering with children is not easy. Babies cry, parents are grumpy, and 5th grade boys wrestle. It’s our job to make sure our volunteers walk away from their time with us knowing that they made a difference. Let’s talk about how we can inspire a workforce of leaders to serve with enthusiasm and commit for the long haul.

HOW TO: LEAD A FAMILY MINISTRY MEETING >> Mike Clear
After months, maybe even years, of making efforts toward Orange at your church you finally got all the key ministry leaders to sit down together, in the same room, to talk about what it means to Think Orange. But, now what? What exactly do you do in this meeting? What do you talk about? In this breakout the family ministry team from Discovery Church will pinpoint practical exercises to help you conduct family ministry staff and volunteer meetings that cast the Orange vision to everyone in your ministry.

HOW TO: RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS >> Sue Miller
Every single leader is looking for the next volunteer – we all struggle with how to get it done. Learn how you can take on this huge challenge and turn it into a win for both you and your future recruits.

HOW TO: STRUCTURE YOUR CHILDREN’S AND PRESCHOOL VOLUNTEERS >> Joy Bowen
Would you like your ministry to flourish? Of course you would! Contrary to what you might be praying for, it won’t just happen with a mass influx of volunteers. Ministry will thrive when you have volunteers serving in the right roles that ignite their gifting and keep ministry running smoothly. Stop buying into the myth that you have to do it all alone and start believing that there is a better way to create and structure a gifted team.

HOW TO: “FREE” A VOLUNTEER >> Tom Shefchunas
Do you need help? Or, do you need better help? Have you ever wished you had better and/or more volunteers? Join Tom Shefchunas, Director of Middle School for North Point Ministries, as we talk about those challenges. Become a leader of a program that attracts high-powered volunteers who get the job done well!