STAFF GUIDE TO
VOLUNTEERING
Creating a High Impact Volunteering Environment @ WSM
The mercenaries will always beat the draftees, but the volunteers will crush them both. CHUCK NOLL, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Everyone wants a revolution. No one wants to do the dishes. DOROTHY DAY, AMERICAN JOURNALIST
Preface Giving Stuff & Giving Self For over 100 years, Lancaster partners have blessed Water Street with financial gifts and resources. They have donated food, furniture, personal care items, clothing, and supplies. They have given financially, and they have donated time. God has cared for us since 1905, and continues to care for us today through the hands of a very generous community. We are extremely grateful. Just as our strategies for serving guests has changed significantly over the last 100 years, so has our approach to engaging our donors and volunteers. We have shifted from a poverty mindset (receiving anything and everything because we don't want to risk losing a partnership), to a strategic mindset (identifying our actual needs, putting voice to those needs, and offering a polite "no, thank you" to the "gifts" that would, in reality, become burdensome to staff). This shift not only enables us to operate more effectively, but it is also gives us an opportunity to share with our community a new way of viewing our guests, those in poverty, and populations we serve.
Mindset Shift Mindsets can be hard to shift...we understand that. People still want to give what they want to give. Volunteers still want to volunteer in the ways they think they should be able to volunteer (or had been able to volunteer in the past). People "just want to make an impact for good, by golly!" and sometimes interpret our boundaries as obstacles to giving. We aren't trying to be difficult. Truly. What we ARE trying to do is: be good stewards of the gifts being presented to us focus on what we truly need to support our mission at Water Street communicate a message of dignity, value, and worth to those we serve
Kingdom Wins If we can't be good stewards of the gift being offered to us -- whether it is a gift of goods or of time -- we'd love to help connect folks to other fantastic organizations that might really be in need of what they uniquely have to offer. Instead of seeing it as a loss for Water Street, we see if as a win for the kingdom. Instead of saying yes to 100 hand-knit scarves (that will likely sit in storage) from the senior ladies Bible Study group, we tell them about The Wrap-Up Project that "bombs" Lancaster with hand-knit scarves for those in need. Instead of receiving a used clothing donation that we don't have storage for, let's re-route the giver to Community Aid, the thrift store that gives our guests vouchers to shop for free. Instead of hosting a group of 30 volunteers that we don't have the staffing to oversee, let's suggest splitting them into smaller groups to make a difference at Water Street AND other non-profits serving the homeless population.
Why this Guide? Our staff is comprised of over 100 individuals that serve throughout the entire mission. Each section of ministry may have its own unique feel, subculture, training, and values, but -- at our core -- we share the foundational vision, purpose, core values, and statement of faith of Water Street Mission. Similarly, Water Street's volunteer base is comprised of thousands of individuals that serve throughout the entire mission. We desire for volunteers to not only be united under the same Water Street Mission values and vision, but to also be united under the values and vision of the Volunteer Ministry -- regardless of the area they serve in. Our purpose in creating this guide is to... talk about why fostering a high impact volunteer environment matters share our vision and values for our Volunteer Ministry & the High Impact Volunteer Experience clarify the on-boarding process for new volunteers
WATER STREET MISSION High Impact Volunteer Ministry
Every person is a customized expression of a loving God. ARTHUR MILLER, JR.
Why is it important that we foster a
High Impact Volunteer Environment at Water Street?
HIVE offers clarity to staff & volunteers about volunteer culture & expectations HIVE encourages a consistent, high-quality volunteer experience HIVE increases volunteer return on investment HIVE enables staff to quickly identify our "core team" of volunteers in time of need HIVE multiplies ministry through a discipleship model HIVE aligns with WSM vision, purpose & core values
VOLUNTEER MINISTRY VISION To foster a volunteer community that not only furthers the purposes of the mission, but also provides opportunities for volunteers to take their next steps on their journeys of personal and spiritual development.
Created By God
CORE VALUES
We believe each volunteer is created by God to serve a unique purpose in His kingdom.
Act of Worship
We believe volunteering is a privilege and an expression of worship to the Lord.
Transformational Value
We believe that volunteering is not just a transactional exchange, but also an opportunity for spiritual transformation.
Strategic Stewardship
We develop capable partners when we effectively recruit, select, equip, lead, and develop leader volunteers.
Blessing the Partner
We believe volunteering should be a blessing to our volunteers, as well as our to our guests and staff.
HIGH IMPACT LANGUAGE Anyone who prays for us, volunteers with us, donates to us, etc. is making an impact at Water Street and in the lives of those we serve. The level of impact a volunteer makes isn't based on their role, but on their level of commitment to service and their alignment to the heart of Water Street and Kingdom of God You might hear us use words like IMPACT, HIGH IMPACT, and HIGH IMPACT LEADER. Here's what those terms mean to us:
IMPACT 1x volunteer 1x donor WSM event participant
"Fan" of WSM May/may not share our values
Example: someone who who sings in the choir 1x per year at Christmas
HIGH IMPACT Volunteers regularly Donates regularly Meaningful commitment
Prays faithfully for WSM Shares many of our values
Example: someone who serves on the worship team regularly
HIGH IMPACT LEADER Trains other volunteers Develops other volunteers Deep commitment
Shares our deepest values Staff-selected Multiplies ministry effectiveness
Example: someone the staff members trust to lead the team and congregation in worship
VOLUNTEER AREAS
No volunteer role is considered more or less important than another. However, certain roles require a greater commitment and/or specific skill-set(s). Where you might see
IMPACT VOLUNTEERS Dining Hall Outreach Ministries Facilities Distribution Events Donation Drives Winter Weekend Day Shelter
Where you might see
HIGH IMPACT VOLUNTEERS Dining Hall Outreach Ministries Facilities Distribution Events Donation Drives Winter Weekend Day Shelter Donation Processing Programs Water Street Health Services Teen Haven Wonder Club
Where you might see
H.I. LEADER VOLUNTEERS Dining Hall Outreach Ministries Facilities Distribution Events Donation Drives Winter Weekend Day Shelter Donation Processing Programs Water Street Health Services Teen Haven Wonder Club Speaker's Bureau WSM Hospitality WSM Representative
PROCESS FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS Volunteer application, selection & onboarding
APPLYING, SELECTING, & ON-BOARDING IMPACT VOLUNTEERS
Direct applicant to WSM website to create a volunteer account
Volunteer Ministry Office reviews these apps & sends next steps
Volunteer attends or completes online version of WSM Encounter Session
Volunteer is now approved to view & register for a limited number of volunteer opportunities
Volunteer receives training in their ministry area on their first day of service
APPLYING, SELECTING, & ON-BOARDING FOR VOLUNTEER POSITIONS REQUIRING HIGH IMPACT VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Ministry Office or ministry area pre-screens the individual
Ministry area invites individual to fill out an application & conducts interview process
Ministry area determines if they would like to take next steps with the applicant
If selected, Volunteer attends or completes online version of WSM Encounter Session
Training & scheduling is determined by the ministry area
VolunteerHub VolunteerHub is the volunteer management database the Volunteer Ministry Office uses to keep track of volunteer information. Anyone interested in volunteering is instructed to go to our Water Street website to create an online volunteer account. If the applicant passes our initial screening, the Volunteer Ministry Office follows up with the applicant to invite them to attend a WSM Encounter Session or to complete the WSM Encounter Session materials online. Some - but not all - ministry areas (i.e., the dining hall) use VolunteerHub for scheduling.
WSM Encounter Session WSM Encounter Sessions provide to volunteers, donors, and new staff members an overview of Water Street Mission. Sessions are offered live and online.
THE BUZZ: Volunteer News Our eNewsletter includes: links to Water Street resources news about past & upcoming events information about volunteer needs volunteer & staff highlights
Learning & Growing Together One of our volunteer ministry goals is to provide opportunities for our volunteers to learn more about God, poverty, homelessness, and themselves. Volunteers may be invited to events such as... a Bible study "When Helping Hurts" book study "Same Kind of Different As Me" movie discussion Compelled By Love event
ENVIRONMENT TO THRIVE
Equipping, leading & developing leader volunteers
Equipping Volunteers
Providing the resources and transferring the attitudes, competencies, and knowledge necessary for the volunteer to be effective.
RESOURCES
ATTITUDES
COMPETENCIES
What physical items does the volunteer need to be effective in his/her volunteer position?
What character traits does the volunteer need to possess to be effective in his/her volunteer position?
What skill sets does the volunteer need to possess to be effective in his/her volunteer position?
What knowledge does the volunteer need to possess to be effective in his/her volunteer position?
For example: Love Patience Christ-Follower
For example: Teaching Skills CPR Training Electrician Certification
For example: How to greet someone experiencing homelessness How to share the Gospel How to start a conversation
For example: Bible Pens Paper Laptop
KNOWLEDGE
Leading Volunteers
High Impact teams don't develop...people do.
REFLECTION
CONNECTION
INSPECTION
CORRECTION
Reflection with God precedes connection with others.
Connection with a volunteer comes before collecting (their time & efforts) from them.
Connection with a volunteer precedes inspection.
Connection with a volunteer precedes correction.
If we love our volunteers, then our motivation for inspection will be to ensure their success.
If inspections or corrections precedes connection, we experience rejection.
When my tank is empty, we can become more negative, making it difficult to give and pour into others.
If collection precedes connection, we experience rejection.
Developing High Impact Leader Volunteers Seating Select Volunteers at the Big Table
HIGH IMPACT LEADER COMPATIBILITY
HIGH IMPACT LEADER COMPETENCY
HIGH IMPACT LEADER COMMITMENT
Shares Water Street's deepest values Possesses solid people skills Handles conflict well; gracious & firm
Demonstrates shepherding ability Has good organizational skills/follow through
Has volunteered at Water Street for a minimum of 6 months
Meet the Volunteer Ministry Team
MARIA ASIN
JACOB BUCKWALTER Volunteer Manager Programs
Director of Volunteer Ministries
Volunteer Manager
Home Department: Health Services
Home Department: Programs
Home Department: Advancement
Home Department: Advancement
Supports: Medical Services Dental Services
Supports: Access Center Enrichment Center Shelter & Programs Chapel Partners
Supports: Dining Hall Community Ministries Advancement Facilities & Warehouse
Supports: Volunteer Ministry Office
Volunteer Manager WSHS
HEATHER ROSS
KATIE CONNER
OVER 2000
INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERED WITH WATER STREET MISSION IN 2019
OVER 20,000
HOURS OF SERVICE WERE DONATED TO SUPPORT OUR MINISTRIES IN 2019
The value of a volunteer hour in 2022
$29.95 per hour INDEPENDENTSECTOR.ORG
CONNECT WITH US volunteer@wsm.org