Engaging the Volunteers

Volunteer Orientation – April 24, 2007

A time to give more information to people interested in volunteering for Friends of the Carpenter.

Volunteer Appreciation

We thank God for you….

Volunteers are a vital part of our ministry and WE ARE SO GRATEFUL!

A Volunteer Appreciation Dessert was held on the evening of May 8, 2007 at the Friendship Center to honor and appreciate all Friends of the Carpenter volunteers. The crowd of 73 volunteers were entertained by a quartet of singers, Sally Bodine, Sue Kitchin, Julie Sich and Linda Wagar. Each volunteer received an appreciation gift of a ‘Friends of the Carpenter’ notepad and pen. This year’s theme was We thank our God every time we remember you. In all our prayers for all of you, We all-ways pray with joy…

Dessert made by volunteer Lee Nichols was served. Ellie McCallum and Bill Jennings each shared what the Friends of the Carpenter ministry means to them. This was another wonderful event to recognize the gift of our committed and dedicated group of FOC volunteers.

Share Outreach

This agency is housed at Share House and provides services for people on the street ranging from bus tickets, phone calls, job and housing referrals to clothing and shower needs. Friends of the Carpenter volunteers assist every Friday morning by providing one or two volunteers to help with the shower sign-ups and clothing needs. This is a good way for volunteers to meet and talk. There are three volunteers doing this on a consistent basis.

Share House Meals

Three or 4 Friends of the Carpenter volunteers help to cook and serve the breakfast meal at Share House every week day. Early morning breakfast volunteers include 13 dedicated individuals.

Friends of the Carpenter volunteers help to cook and serve the breakfast meal on the 3 rd Saturday morning of the month with a woodworking event following and dinner on the 4 th Monday night with a worship service following the meal. Over the past twelve months more than 40 different volunteers have joined us for at least one of those events.

Hospitality Hosts

These volunteers are the first friendly face visitors see when they enter the Friendship Center . They meet and greet the hundreds and hundreds of people who come through our front door and also help by answering the telephone and assisting with clerical tasks. We now have eight people filling this role on a regular basis, but throughout the monthly schedule there remain many unfilled shifts that are waiting for additional volunteers.

Woodworking & Product Room Activity Hosts

Every Tuesday and most Wednesdays we hold woodworking events at the Friendship Center . Although a variety of tasks are assigned that include sanding, gluing, painting, and drilling, the focus is not on the wood. We invite these volunteers to join in the ‘table’ fellowship of building relationships with our friends and with our Lord. Listening and being present to all those who participate are especially important skills needed for this role.

200 Volunteers for 2 Hours each

It continues to be our goal to have the Friendship Center and all Friends of the Carpenter events teeming with volunteers and participants. The philosophy is that an increase in the number of people we have involved in the ministry will result in more positive relationships and friendships developed and more people experiencing God’s love and grace. We continue to strive for a consistent 200 volunteers for at least 2 hours each a month or more! The “Volunteer Numbers & Hours / Participant Numbers / Community Organizations” Chart (see attached) illustrates our monthly accounting of numbers and hours. This isn’t an exact tabulation of our numbers over the last year; however, our goal is to involve more and more people in all areas of the ministry of Friends of the Carpenter.

“Challenge Program” Student Volunteers

Middle School youth in the Vancouver School District “Challenge Program” volunteer once a month during the school year. They are given a choice of where to serve and come to us interested in the homeless dilemma, and also in woodworking. They are given the opportunity to visit with persons in transition and to talk to other volunteers who give of their time. They also work on wood projects and help out where needed.