How to Maintain a Group of Disgruntled Volunteers

This post is focused solely on how to increase your amount of disgruntled volunteers. If you’re already doing some or all of these things then you probably already have a few. So keep it up and watch your group grow.

Be vague – Only share the task. Keep the details and your expectations to yourself.
Don’t communicate – Share as little information as possible. Don’t return emails and/or text in a timely fashion.
Be last minute – Give your leaders no more than two days to plan or prepare to serve at your events…three days if it’s an overnighter. If your leaders want to serve, they should be ready at all times. Also, it’s ok to expect them to stay late and come in early.
Only think about the project/event – Only care about how they best can serve you and never think the other way around.
Don’t appreciate them – They made the choice to serve your ministry, so you’re doing them a favor by letting them. Besides who has time to say thank you anyways.
Don’t train – They were once a student, so they should know what to expect and what to do.
Make time for correction – Even though you may not have time to say thank you, you need to make time for correction.
Don’t be an example – It’s more important that they follow what you say.
Micro-manage – Make sure you are leading your leaders step-by-step. If they are frustrated with the lack of trust you show in their ability, then you are doing your job.
Don’t support – Think of volunteers as free help. Besides, they should be giving up their time serve the church. It’s what we as Christians are called to do.

If you follow these ten tips faithfully you will be on your way to having the most disgruntled group of youth workers on the planet. If you want the opposite, then do just the OPPOSITE. Any more tips out there that I may have missed?

Hope it helps,

This is a great list of what NOT to do with your volunteers. Want advice on what TO DO? Check out Simply Youth Ministry’s resources for volunteers!