I believe recruiting and thanking volunteers is one of the most enjoyable parts of VBS - or at least they can be! This year I had the opportunity to review a number of resources to make recruiting and thanking your volunteers interesting, fun and easy! I hope you'll find some ideas below that will help you as you staff and support your volunteers this summer!
Steps for recruiting tremendous volunteers!
- pray for wisdom and that God will prepare the hearts of the people He wants to be part of your VBS team
- identify specific people you would like to involve as part of your VBS team
- select items from Oriental Trading Company or USToy Company that fit your VBS setting and hand to the people you identified
- pray some more!
- follow up
- Ideas for any VBS setting - recruiting volunteers
- Wooden Fish Hook Key Chains
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag, "'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' Mark 1:17 Won't you join our team as a (position) and be a fishers of children in (name of VBS) (dates)?!!!"
- Kick Balls -
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag, "We're going to have a real 'ball' in (name of VBS) (dates)! We'd love to have you as part of our team as a (position) - won't you join us?!!!"
- Design-Your-Own Visor Craft - (decorate with your logo or recruiting theme)
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "We'd have it made in the shade if you'd be part of our VBS team as a (position) (dates)!!!"
- Cross Sand Art Bottles - (write a message on paper and put in the bottle)
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "You're the answer to our prayers - come be a part of our VBS team as a (position) (dates)!!!"
- Ideas for Lava Lava Island - recruiting volunteers
- Mini Tropical Maraca Key Chains
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Come join the beat and help us make sweet music to God as we worship Him by our serving in Lava, Lava Island VBS as a (position) (dates)!!!"
- Tropical Wrapped Buttermints
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag -"You're a breath of fresh air - we'd love to have you come join our Lava, Lava Island VBS team as a (position) (dates)!!!"
- Smile Face Luau Bean Bag Key Chains
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "You'll put a big smile on our faces if you'll agree to be part of our Lava, Lava Island VBS team as a (position) (dates)!!!"
- Tropical Smile Face Antenna Ball -
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Join us for 'smiles' and 'smiles' of fun making a real difference in the lives of kids as a (position) in Lava, Lava Island VBS (dates)!!!"
- Tropical fish shaped kaleidoscope
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "No matter how you look at it, you'll see yourself having a beautiful time making a difference in the lives of kids as a (position) at Lava, Lava Island VBS (dates)!!!"
- Tropical Fish Bubble Bottles
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Jesus' love will be bubblin' over at Lava, Lava Island (dates) - won't you join us as a (position) and make a real difference in the lives of children?!!!"
- Fish Shape Rainbow magic springs
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Lava, Lava Island (date) will be an exciting place with fun bouncing all over! Won't you join us as a (position) and help us make a real difference in the lives of kids?!!!"
- SonGames 2004, Gospel Light - Power UP, Standard - God's All Star Champions, Cook
- Sport Ball Light Up Key Chains
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "We'd have a real ball at (name of vbs) (dates) with you as a (position)! Won't you join our team and make a difference in the lives of kids this summer?!!!"
- Metallic clip key chain with sport ball
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "You're the key to our VBS team winning! Won't you be part of (name of vbs) (date) as a (position) and make a difference in the lives of kids this summer!!!"
- Kick ball - sports ball
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - We'd have a ball with you as part of our winning team at (name of vbs) (date) as a (position) - won't you join us and make a difference in the lives of kids this summer?!!!"
- Transparent whistles
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "On your mark, get set, go and make a real difference in the lives of kids this summer as a (position) at (name of vbs) (date)!!!"
- Sport ball Bubble Bottles -
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Jesus' love will be bubblin' over at (name of vbs) (date) if you join our team as a (position) and coach kids to be on God's winning team!!"
- Castle Kids - Regular Baptist Press
- Foam Jeweled Crown Craft Kit - (make crowns and hand out)
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Won't you choose to serve the King at Castle Kids VBS (date) as a (position)? Come make a royal difference in the lives of kids this summer!!!"
- Davey & Goliath's Camp Creation - Augsburg Fortress, Camp Iwilligoway - Promiseland/ZonderKidz
- Plastic Compass Clips
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Won't you help us show kid's God's direction for their lives by helping at (name of vbs) (date) as a (position)?!!"
- Metallic Kazoos -
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Won't you join us at the (name of vbs) campfire as a (position) (date) and raise your voice in praise to God as we serve Him by helping kids come to Him?!!"
- Transparent Whistles -
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Won't you join us in making a difference in the lives of kids this summer as a (position) at (name of vbs) (date)?!!"
- Construction, INC. - Concordia
- Design your own visor craft kits - (decorate and hand out)
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Recruiting tag - "Won't you help us build in kid's lives as a (position) at Construction, INC., (date)?!!!"
Resources from USToy are available online at www.ustoy.com
or by calling, 1-800-255-6124
- Any VBS
- Smile Men Spring Keychains
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting tag - "You'll put a smile on our faces if you'll serve as a (position) at (name of vbs) (date)!!!"
- Smile Flashlight keychains & Smile Locks
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting tag - "You're the key to our happiness - join our VBS team as a (position) for (name of vbs) (date)!!!"
- Mini Smile Tambourines
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting tag - "You can help us make great music by joining our VBS team as a (position) for (name of vbs) (date)!!!"
- Lava, Lava Island - Group
- Luau Sun Visors & Luau Glasses
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting tag - "We'd have it made in the shade if you'd be part of our VBS team as a (position) for (name of vbs) (date)!!!"
- Mini Maracas
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting tag - "You can help us keep the beat by being part of our VBS team as a (position) for (name of vbs (date)!!!"
- SonGames 2004 - Gospel Light, Power up - Standard, God's All Star Champions - Cook
- Mini Sports Balls
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting tag - "You'll have a ball as part of our (name of VBS) team! Join us as a (position) (date)!!!"
- Sports Ball Whistles
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting Tag - "You'd make a great (position) leading your team of kids at (name of vbs)! Join us (date) and make a difference in the lives of kids this summer!"
- Sport Maze Puzzles
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting Tag - "You're the answer to our puzzle - we need you as a (position) for (name of vbs) (date)!! Join our team!!"
- Castle Kids - Regular Baptist Press
- Prism Metallic Crowns
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting Tag - "We'd like to crown you our royal (position) for Castle Kids VBS! Plan to join us (dates) and make a difference leading kids to the King of kings!!
- Construction INC. - Concordia
- Assorted Tools
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Recruiting tag - "You're just the tool we need to make Construction, INC. as effective as possible in reaching kids for Jesus! Won't you join us as a (position) (dates)?!!!"
When your VBS is completed, be sure to
take time to thank your volunteers - in a church service or individually.
The following ideas utilize fun things from ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
and USToy to say a unique and fun thank you to your volunteers!
- Any VBS -
- I Love You Signing Cross Pin
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Thank you tag - "Thank you for sharing God's love with kids at (name of vbs)! You made a real difference!
- Wooden Fish Hook Key Chains
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Thank you tag - "Thank you for being willing to serve in (name of vbs) as a fisher of kids - you were the key to our success!"
- Candy Cross Bracelets
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Thank you tag - "Thank you for being a sweet part of (name of vbs)!!!"
- Smile Face Clackers
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Thank you tag - "We'd like to give you a hand! Thanks for being part of (name of vbs)!!!"
- $100 Bill Keychains
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Thank you tag - "You're worth more than any amount! Thank you for being part of our (name of vbs)!!!"
- Spinning Tops
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Thank you tag - "You're tops with us! Thank you for being part of our (name of vbs)!!!"
- Metal balancing Toys
- Manufacturer - USToy
- Thank you tag - "We couldn't have done it without your help! Thanks for making a difference at (name of vbs)!!!"
- Lava, Lava Island - Group
- Tropical Fish Bubble Bottles
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Thank you tag - "We're truly celebrating that you were part of our Lava, Lava Island Crew! Thank you for letting the love of Jesus flow through you!"
- Smile Face Luau Bean Bag Key Chains
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Thank you tag - "We're so happy you were part of our Lava, Lava Island team! Thank you for being a key to our success!"
- SonGames 2004 - Gospel Light, Power UP - Standard, God's All Star Champions - Cook
- Kick balls
- Manufacturer - ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY, INC.
- Thank you tag -"We had a real ball with you as part of our VBS team at (name of vbs)! Thanks for making a difference!!!"
- Sports Spring Keychains
- Manufacturer - USToys
- Thank you tag - "You were the key to our success at (name of vbs)!! We had a real ball with you on our team!!!"
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'Round About the Church - VBS 2004 Recruiting/Thanking Copyright Lynda Freeman Updated March. 11, 2004 Web Page By David Freeman Send an e-mail to Lynda at Lynda@roundaboutthechurch.com