5 Digital Tools for Managing Church Volunteers

Some handy electronic resources with the potential to revolutionize your volunteer management.

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.

Planning Center

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.

YourVolunteers

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 Say goodbye to scheduling conflicts and outdated email addresses!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.

VolunteerSpot

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.

Volgistics

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.

Timecounts

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 .

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

ajax-loader-largecaret-downcloseHamburger Menuicon_amazonApple PodcastsBio Iconicon_cards_grid_caretChild Abuse Reporting Laws by State IconChurchSalary Iconicon_facebookGoogle Podcastsicon_instagramLegal Library IconLegal Library Iconicon_linkedinLock IconMegaphone IconOnline Learning IconPodcast IconRecent Legal Developments IconRecommended Reading IconRSS IconSubmiticon_select-arrowSpotify IconAlaska State MapAlabama State MapArkansas State MapArizona State MapCalifornia State MapColorado State MapConnecticut State MapWashington DC State MapDelaware State MapFederal MapFlorida State MapGeorgia State MapHawaii State MapIowa State MapIdaho State MapIllinois State MapIndiana State MapKansas State MapKentucky State MapLouisiana State MapMassachusetts State MapMaryland State MapMaine State MapMichigan State MapMinnesota State MapMissouri State MapMississippi State MapMontana State MapMulti State MapNorth Carolina State MapNorth Dakota State MapNebraska State MapNew Hampshire State MapNew Jersey State MapNew Mexico IconNevada State MapNew York State MapOhio State MapOklahoma State MapOregon State MapPennsylvania State MapRhode Island State MapSouth Carolina State MapSouth Dakota State MapTennessee State MapTexas State MapUtah State MapVirginia State MapVermont State MapWashington State MapWisconsin State MapWest Virginia State MapWyoming State IconShopping Cart IconTax Calendar Iconicon_twitteryoutubepauseplay
caret-downclosefacebook-squarehamburgerinstagram-squarelinkedin-squarepauseplaytwitter-square