Volunteer of the Year

We’re thrilled about our first annual Volunteer of the Year nominations process. So far, nominations have uncovered some hidden gems in churches across the state.

From a dedicated Sunday School teacher to a fabulous men’s group, these volunteers are knocking our socks off!

Volunteers are necessary for the running of a church, an extension ministry, or really any endeavor that is taken up in love.

According to Donorbox, a platform for nonprofit donor and volunteer support, volunteers are essential for five reasons:

• They help boost visibility.

• They can be turned into advocates for your cause.

• They save money and increase donations.

• They can increase your impact.

• They can bring a diversity of skills to your organization.

More than that

Churches can definitely benefit from those reasons; however, even more essential is the role volunteers play in evangelism. Volunteers are vital because they are the hands and feet of God. By living out their faith with their actions, volunteers serve not only as ambassadors for the church, but as the church itself.

Churches in the Oklahoma conference host numerous food pantries run by volunteers. Volunteers teach children’s Sunday school and adult Bible studies. Volunteers prepare communion and decorate buildings for holidays.

Choirs and modern worship bands are staffed with volunteers. Students are fed lunch by volunteers on college campuses across the state. Building upkeep, church van maintenance, and lawn care are often done by volunteers.

Volunteers are youth groups, men’s groups, women’s groups, cooks, drivers, paper folders, communion servers, acolytes, and so much more.

Volunteers respond to disasters and respond to the call to mission work near and far. They are resourceful, innovative, helpful, and kind.

Oklahoma United Methodist volunteers are the lifeblood of their communities, and they respond to crises with open hearts and strong support.

“Volunteers are so very important in disaster response,” stated Dana Parker, associate director of Connectional Ministry for community engagement and disaster response. “Volunteer labor stretches our dollars so that, by only paying for materials, we can help twice the amount of families recover. But also, I always feel such joy working alongside folks serving their neighbors!

Nominations are still open!

As we finalize the nominations process, this article should serve as a catalyst for those considering nominating someone for Volunteer of the Year.

There is no “perfect volunteer,” since all who volunteer give their best for the glory of God and the care of the service they provide.

For this reason, the simple fact is, we won’t be able to choose the “best” volunteer, but simply one whose story touches our hearts.

We plan to share as many volunteer stories as we can in the fall issue of the Say So. We encourage you to nominate an individual or a group for Volunteer of the Year. If you’re working on a nomination, please have your submission turned in by Sept. 30.

FAQ

Does the nominee have to be an individual?

Not at all! We can take nominations for groups, Sunday school classes, clubs, and more - as long as their work is through a United Methodist church or extension ministry.

Can I make more than one nomination?

Yes! Please just fill in the form for each nomination.

What are the criteria for Volunteer of the Year?

We’re looking for moving stories of fantastic UM volunteers. As long as you fill in the form and send a photo, we’ll consider your nomination.

How will I know the results?

Our October issue of the Say So magazine comes out in late October. It will be published online via Issuu, and will be available on our website and social media. It will also go out to our email list.