From recruiting to scheduling, a lot goes into volunteer management. Instead of getting bogged down in the quagmire of gathering contact information and sorting out schedules manually, here are five tools that will do those tasks for you—and a lot more. Get organized, and save some time to focus on your service, effectively engaging and managing your dedicated volunteers.
This conglomeration of seven different church operation tools was specifically created for the convenience of church administration. We’ve selected three specific apps from Planning Center that can be useful in effectively reaching your volunteers. The “Groups” app allows you to create a space for your dedicated volunteers from sign-up, to attendance, to messaging. This is especially helpful if you have a set volunteer base that consistently does activities as a group. Set up a service day event for volunteers to register through the “Registrations” app, and customize check-in stations on your iOS or Android device through the “Check-Ins” app. For a medium-sized church, the average price for each app under Planning Center is $29 per month, depending on the number of members/attendees.
Tablet, phone, and web browser accessible, YourVolunteers helps you schedule, engage, and track your volunteers. This tool enables volunteers to login and schedule shifts themselves, and the volunteer manager to filter lists of volunteers by their availability or interests. With their easy setup and cloud-based system, the database for volunteer schedules and contact information will always be synced. Say goodbye to scheduling conflicts and outdated email addresses! This service is free for organizations with up to 1,000 volunteers.
As the simplest tool on this list, VolunteerSpot makes signing up easy for both you and your volunteers. The website is a free scheduling service that allows volunteers to register for activities online. Instantly create a sign-up sheet, share the link with your volunteers, and VolunteerSpot will send out reminders to registered volunteers before the time of your event. No need to create a new account—you and your volunteers can use your individual Facebook logins to access this site’s free services.
From volunteer recruitment to volunteer sign-in, Volgistics provides a user-friendly portal that has an easy-to-use interface for both volunteers and managers. Volunteers can simply log into the portal for scheduling, while volunteer managers are able text and email reminders through the same system to notify their volunteer base. On the day of the event, this tool also provides a software module that turns your device into a sign-in kiosk. With a 30-day free trial and monthly services starting from a minimum of $9 per month, Volgistics runs through your web browser with no software download needed. It also claims to have a secure system that keeps your volunteers’ information safe.
Need everything in one place? Create a profile for your organization through Timecounts. This “community hub” gives volunteers the chance to learn about your organization and opportunities to help. Publish signups for activities from orientations to training sessions, and they will all be in one place. Send emails or texts from a shared “Team Inbox,” and track your volunteers’ attendance and hours for activities. Volunteers can self-schedule through their Facebook profile to cancel shifts or apply for new roles. With a free trial included, Timecounts offers an easy user experience with a premium plan of $29 per month for a community of 500 people.
Alexandria Kuo is the editorial intern for Church Law & Tax. Follow her on Twitter @AlexandriaKuo .
