Meetings
One-on-one meeting questions for checking in with volunteers
A ready set of one-on-one meeting questions for checking in with volunteers, plus how to book the chat, keep it to twenty minutes and follow up after.
The huddle
Every piece we have published on small groups, volunteer teams, meetings, talks and team health, newest first.
Speaking
Public speaking tips for people who dread the microphone
Public speaking tips for nervous volunteers: what to do about shaking hands, a blank mind and racing speech, plus how to use a microphone and screen in a hall.
Book notes
Leadership books worth reading if you lead volunteers
Nine leadership books worth reading if you lead volunteers, with what each one offers a team lead or group host and one honest caution for every title.
Leading well
Servant leadership in practice, on an ordinary Tuesday night
Servant leadership in practice for volunteer leads: what it looks like hour by hour on a weeknight, a weekly checklist, and the habits that only look like serving.
Team health
When two volunteers clash: conflict resolution in small teams
Conflict resolution in small volunteer teams: how to spot a clash early, talk to each person alone, hold a calm joint talk and write down what you agreed.
Volunteer teams
How to keep volunteers coming back after the first month
How to retain volunteers past the first month: why new helpers drift away, a week by week plan for their first 30 days, and the words to use at each step.
Speaking
How to write a sermon or message when you speak only now and then
How to write a sermon or message as an occasional speaker: get a clear brief, find one main idea, build an outline, time each part and deliver it from notes.
Small groups
Small group icebreakers that nobody dreads
Small group icebreakers that feel like conversation, not a party game: a table of options by comfort level, ready questions, and what to say to start.
Team health
Volunteer burnout: the early signs, and what a leader can change
Volunteer burnout rarely arrives all at once. Learn the early signs to watch for and the practical changes a team leader can make this month.
Meetings
A meeting agenda template for volunteer teams
A copyable meeting agenda template for volunteer teams, with timed items, owners and decision labels, a filled example and a message to send before the meeting.
Speaking
How to give a ten-minute talk without reading it
How to give a short talk of ten minutes without reading a script: pick one point, build three blocks, rehearse out loud and speak from a single card.
Volunteer teams
A volunteer schedule template people actually keep
A copyable volunteer schedule template with roles, backups and a swap rule, plus the reminder message to send and fixes for the usual ways rotas break.