From the Idea Files
The Lutheran Resource Center, Clear Lake, Iowa
and East-Central Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center

Volunteer Coordinator Position Description

Personnel Policies Statement:

The employees of this church, in all their services – both within the congregation and in the fulfillment of the church’s mission in the world – shall carry out the duties to which they are assigned in faithfulness to the faith and mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Title: Volunteer coordinator

Reports to: Pastor or volunteer ministry task force

Position Summary:

Responsible for organizing and directing efforts to involve volunteers in parish programs and services. Maintains communication between staff, committees and volunteers to ensure the best possible match between organizational needs and volunteer capabilities. The volunteer coordinator position is for a one-year renewable contract for ____ hours per week. Responsible for a budget of $__________.

Principal Accountabilities:

Program development

• Responsible for designing processes to clarify program and committee needs requiring volunteers
• Promotes understanding of and commitment to volunteer ministry/lay ministry
• Plans and organizes the ministry for volunteers in collaboration with congregational leaders
• Assists in writing descriptions of existing and new volunteer opportunities
• Helps leaders design new opportunities for ministry
• Responsible for supervising the annual stewardship survey (time, talent and treasures) and the follow-up process for volunteer placement
• Responsible for researching, developing and implementing ways to encourage participation by the uninvolved
• Responsible for organizing, coordinating and supervising the parish-wide organizations which are not coordinated/assisted by a specific staff person.
• Delegates project responsibilities from parish staff to individual or group of volunteers

Personnel

• Assists with sound recruitment procedures
• Directs the matching of people with skills and interest to the tasks that need to be done
• Coordinates meetings with parishioners and specific ministry directors as needed to help match skills, interests and the needs of the congregation.
• Develops and maintains a volunteer skills matching system
• Provides for volunteer training and orientation, ongoing leadership training and staff development.
• Advocates for volunteers and staff as needed
• Coordinates with the parish staff and congregation’s organizations, activities and ceremonies to ensure proper recognition for all parish volunteers.

Materials/Budget:

• Develops, recommends and administers budget allocated for volunteer program
• Oversees the expenses and reimbursements incurred through the activities of organization without formal staff liaison
• Develops, maintains and updates records/retrieval system for use by the parish staff and congregational organizations

Other Responsibilities:

• Keeps current in the fields of lay ministry and volunteer management
• Acts as liaison to the civic volunteer community
• May, in collaboration with the staff and heads of congregational organizations, coordinate the master calendar of parish events
• May be responsible for coordinating special celebrations with appropriate staff members, congregational organizations and volunteer teams
• May supervise the work of the communications committee in developing, producing and assembling church bulletin or newsletter
• Attends staff meetings and appropriate committee meetings
• Works closely with stewardship, communications, hospitality and other congregational committees. May chair one or more of these committees

Qualifications:

• College degree or equivalent experience
• Commitment to the mission of the church
• Ability to work within congregational structures and policies
• Knowledge of volunteer management
• Organization and communication skills
• Ability to empower and motivate others
• Experience as a volunteer
• Experience directing a volunteer program
• Experience supervising regular staff and volunteers

Note:

This is only a sample of a generic position description. The congregational council, volunteer ministries task force or staff support committee should tailor the position description to fit the specific needs of the congregation. Regarding the qualifications, there are volunteer coordinators across the church serving faithfully and capably without degrees or special experience. This higher standard of qualifications is given with the idea that it is easier to scale down a position description from a sample than to add responsibilities or qualifications.