When a volunteer adopts an EVENT need and says they are bringing multiple people with them to serve, have you ever wanted to know who those people are and have each of them receive automated reminder emails?  Want to see the serving activity of your small groups and families?  Well now you can!

Registration is quick!

If a volunteer changes the quantity of people coming to anything greater than 1 then a pop-up appears asking if they’d like to register a “group”.  That individual names the group and registers everyone in their group to meet that need by entering the following information for each group member.

• email
• name
• phone
• age range

Each individual becomes a Pending Member of the Master Organization (if they are not already approved). The system will remember the group so that the user can utilize it at a later date.  Group members can always be deleted or added.

Note: do not check the per user limit when posting the need if you want to allow your volunteers to utilize group sign-up.

Reporting is easy!

Data for each volunteer is captured on your current Needs and Commitments Reports.

• See what individuals and groups have sign up for particular need.
• Search easily by group name to see all the serving activity of a particular group.
• Sort by individual to see how he/she as served by themselves or with a particular group(s).

Emails Go to Everyone!

• Each group member receives a confirmation email with unique access to their personal serve account (through a temporary password).
• Each group member can edit or cancel their own commitment at their convenience.
• Each Group member receives automatic reminder emails at 21, 7, and 1 day prior to the need date.

Posted in Community Outreach, Events, Families & Individuals Serving, Uncategorized
No Comments »

Do you ever feel overwhelmed?  Like there is too much to do with being a spouse, a parent, serving in ministry, being a leader, being a friend, a child, etc.  You see all there is to do, but just can’t do it all on your own.  God makes these seasons in our life to call us back to Him – because guess what?  . . . We can’t do it on our own, we need Him.  I found comfort in God’s word in a season in my life, where I felt just this way.

7 Steps from Jesus

In John 6:1-15 there is the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand.  In that story there is a “formula” for what to do in life when we feel overwhelmed, when we see a crowd coming and just don’t feel like we can do it.

1. Ask for help – In verse 5 Jesus (although he already knew the answer) asked for help.  We should ask God for help and put down our pride and ask those around us for help.

2. Don’t focus on what we don’t have – In verse 7 Philip pointed out what they didn’t have.  Quickly Andrew changed the subject to what they did have.  We need a community of believers to help keep our focus on the positive.

3. Give what we have to God – In verse 9 they gave the five small loaves and two small fish – small things, but in God’s hands can be big.  We should surrender all we have to God our talents, our mind, our body, and our soul.

4. Be still – In verse 10 Jesus instructed the disciples to have the people sit down – take a break, prepare in mind and body to fully receive what the Lord is about to do.  We should slow down and be still in His presence.

5. Give thanks – In verse 11 Jesus gave thanks to The Father for what they had. Give thanks for the small things in our life that God can use to perform a miracle.

6. Expect a miracle plus leftovers – In verse 12 they were all fed and there were even leftovers!  Anticipate that God will provide abundantly more than we can imagine when you put your trust and faith in Him.  I don’t know about you, but I’ll take a “doggie bag” from God.

7. Tell others – In verse 14 the people began to tell others about this miracle.  Be sure to share what God has done in our lives with others.  This is our testimony of God’s love.

Rejoice in the Leftovers

Now don’t get me wrong, our God is not a genie where as we do certain steps, we will get hat we want.  However, our God is one that wants our whole hearts, to surrender to Him, and seek His guidance.  As we seek his wisdom, what we ask for will align with His will.  It is when we are in His will, that He will provide all that we need . . . plus leftovers! Next time you feel overwhelmed, be encouraged in His word.

Posted in Families & Individuals Serving
1 Comment »

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  -Proverbs 22:6

Why Serve Others?

Serving others in need is what we are commanded by God to do.  Serving as families and teaching our children this virtue is what we are called as parents to do.  We read in Colossians that as we serve others it is really Christ we are serving.  Do we take the time to really ‘see’ Jesus in the face of the person we’re serving?  Do we recognize that he is at the heart of what we’re doing?

Serving is kind of like Christmas – it is fun to get together with other Christians and serve, there’s activity involved, it feels good.  But we can make the mistake that just like Christmas we can forget that Jesus is at the heart of it, that it is something that we should continue to do all through the year.  Serving ought to be a daily lifestyle, not just focused on events a couple times a year.

In order to make serving a lifestyle we need to get involved regularly.  Any ministry can only survive with ongoing year-round volunteer help.  We have to be the church outside of the 4 walls – Be the church in our homes, work place and communities.  We need to cultivate this lifestyle in our family – our children need to see it and they can be involved too.

Our Family

I would like to share one simple way our family has served together year after year.  It has been great for our family to participate in an annual community event called Relay for Life.  We camp out together and walk a relay (all night long) to raise money to support a cure for cancer.  Cancer  is something that has plagued our family for generations.  Teaching our boys about this disease and how God is our ultimate healer has been a blessing.  Talking to cancer survivors and praying withe those currently in the battle has really brought home how others sometimes suffer.

Our kids have been a part of the body of believers in making a difference in the lives of others.  This has been one great way to teach our children about the needs of others, to give them an active role in serving and a reminder of how blessed we are.

Serving takes the focus off of us and makes us think of others.  As we continue as a family to seek ways to get involved in serving outside the walls of the church building our prayer is that our children grow up in that lifestyle and be a part of what God is doing in the real world.

Posted in Community Outreach, Families & Individuals Serving, Missions & Outreach
1 Comment »

Do you know the definitions of Volunteer or Voluntary?

Has it been awhile?  Me too, so straight from the dictionary:

Someone who does something without being forced to do it.

Proceeding  from the will or from one’s own choice or consent; unconstrained by interference. 

These definitions are obviously similar because they are both related to internal motives and are based on personal interests.  However, there are many times when volunteering is not voluntary.  Have you been involved in these “non-voluntary” types of volunteering events?  Are there still rewards from even times like these?  I believe there are, if we can get past ourselves to see them.  The goal is to simplify Volunteer Management.

Reactions to Volunteering

Do you immediately raise your hand when volunteers are requested?  Or do you look for the quickest place to hide in order to avoid volunteering at all costs?  Both of these reactions come from internal drives and are based on personal enthusiasm.  The volume of opportunities and organizations that needs volunteers seems endless because the number of needs to meet is endless. 

We are needy people.  God made us to need Him the most, but I doubt He ranks in most people’s top 5 list.

We need ­­­­__________ and __________ and __________, fill in the blanks that best apply to the needs YOU have.

10 Tips for Successful Volunteer Drives

1. Impress potential volunteers by managing your next Volunteer drive with online sign-up sheets that provide a higher level of organization.
2. Provide consistent contacts with all volunteers to gain their ongoing support.
3. Take every opportunity to promote the positive benefits of volunteering.
4. Never underestimate the value of planning.
5. Constant communication of details is key to recruiting and retaining volunteers from event to event.
6. Make it a family affair.
7. Create a motivating environment by encouraging new ideas and implementing suggestions.
8. Delegate a majority of the duties to others so you can welcome and direct the volunteers when they arrive.
9. If creating a donation list, or if you have specific donation needs, create an online list of “suggested” wish list items.
10. Provide plenty of thanks, recognition and results back to your volunteers at the conclusion of the event.

Hopefully, these tips are helpful to you and will increase the success of all your Volunteer drives!  For ideas on creative ways to volunteer and help others click here.

Posted in Community Outreach, Events, Families & Individuals Serving, Missions & Outreach
No Comments »

Although it’s not Valentine’s Day yet, we wanted to get you thinking about the holiday and how love and appreciation can be translated into your community work.  While giving others a Valentine once a year is definitely a nice gesture, finding ways to show them how much you love and appreciate them on a regular basis should be what you strive for daily.  Consider involving your children and  apply your creative energy to think of new ways to accomplish loving others daily.  Remember, love tends to bring separate people together; love is sharing and caring;  love unites us; and love is your willingness to share yourself.

1. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter
2. Read a book at a school
3. Visit the elderly in a nursing home
4. Coach a youth sport
5. Do crafts at an after school program
6. Deliver baked goods to a rescue station
7. Give clothes to a family in need
8. Host a dessert party in your neighborhood
9. Take magazines for those in the hospital
10. Write a note of encouragement to a coworker
11. Give bibles to a church or local ministry
12. Play outside with a child of a single mom
13. Take a family a meal – just because
14. Volunteer at a community event
15. Pick up trash at a park
16. Give socks and undergarments to a homeless ministry
17. Invite a friend, neighbor, coworker  to church
18. Give a bible to someone that doesn’t have one
19. Plant flowers for a neighbor or at a community agency
20. Give a manicure to an elderly person and listen to their stories
21. Tutor a child after school
22. Become a foster parent
23. Give travel size hygiene items to a homeless ministry
24. Babysit for a single parent or foster family
25. Wash a car for a family in need
26. Sort items at a local food bank
27. Help with office work at a community agency
28. Give baby items to a local pregnancy center
29. Teach English as a second language
30. Share the gospel of Christ with someone through your testimony
31. Give new undergarments to a women’s shelter
32. Give copy paper, office supplies, school supplies to a struggling school
33. Sounds crazy – give your car away
34. Go on a missions trip – it will change your life
35. Give a gift card for a single mom or foster family to go out to eat or for an activity
36. Give an old computer to a needy school or ministry
37. Send a thank you card to someone who has influenced you lately
38. Mow the lawn of someone else
39. Sing a song to someone in the hospital

Posted in Community Outreach, Events, Families & Individuals Serving, Uncategorized
No Comments »

Happy New Year!  A new year and a new beginning to focus your church and ministry efforts on the plans that God has for you.  As everyone is busy setting goals for 2013, we must turn to the Word of God . . .

Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands that I give you today. When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster.  Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.. Deuteronomy 27:1-3  

Making memory of the past as God is leading you in the “promised land” is wisdom from the word of God.  His promise to those who fully obey His commands are in Deuteronomy 28:4,

“You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.” 

Don’t we all want that for our ministries?  As we at Meet The Need were looking back on the past year to plan for 2013, we wanted to share with you a few highlights and thank you for partnering with us as we lead into another year.

What started as a small, simple idea years ago has become the standard for connecting and mobilizing churches and ministries to help families in need across the nation.

Imagine people searching the web sites of churches and ministries for opportunities to serve the community that fit their skills and interests, ministries are getting the volunteers and resources they need to continue their work, families  receiving help and hope.  Well now in many cities that has come true.

With Meet The Need, the gap no longer exists between the thousands of needs in the community and the thousands of people able and willing to help.  God showed favor in 2012 as Meet The Need  . .

2012   

• Launched nationally and now in 37+ different states, with 1,000+ churches/ministries, and 36,000+ volunteers
• Started relationships with over 65 city reaching organizations
• Developed a new event module to make the posting and adopting of volunteer and resource needs more customizable and efficient
• Began relationships with national ministries such as NAMB, Campus Crusade, Focus on the Family, Christian Emergency Network, Christian Volunteering, World Wide Open, Mission America Coalition, Logos Bible Software, etc.
• Built single login APIs for several church databases as well as building a customized directory solution for several city reaching organizations and national ministries

2012 was about breadth and starting relationships in new cities across the nation.  In 2013 our focus is about depth in these new cities.  We are looking forward to continuing to follow God as He leads us in another exciting year with the following on the horizon . . .

2013

• Form deeper relationships with partners and city reaching organizations to see cities transformed as Meet The Need is shared with more churches and ministries
• Complete the national missions and disaster relief modules for more efficient searching, adopt, and reporting of these needs
• Expand the media through which needs are communicated, searched, and adopted (text, iphone app, etc).
• Link key contacts through a culture change portal to easily distribute and share tools, materials, discussion forums, and training materials related to “external focus” best practices
• Publish a book on the importance of the church being far more engaged in the community
• Launch in 3 new countries with a feature to translate MTN in to multiple languages
• Enhance the adoption of needs with “group sign-up” to provide families and small groups and even easier way to serve together and for leadership to track which groups are serving together.

What an exciting time to be a part of the body of Christ!  We are praying for knowledge and wisdom for your church/ministry as you begin to live out your 2013 goals and Meet The Need is here to support you in accomplishing those goals.

Posted in Community Outreach, Families & Individuals Serving, Missions & Outreach
No Comments »

Businesses and churches alike seem to struggle to simultaneously build infrastructure and grow outwardly to be externally focused. Focusing on infrastructure usually interferes with externally-focused efforts in sales and marketing (for businesses) or community outreach (for churches). It is understandable, often even necessary, for a business to shift focus from time to time. But outreach is a primary responsibility of a church. God does not call Christians to “seasons” of outreach ministry but rather to lives dedicated to Him and to reaching others. Without sustained, effective outreach, a church cannot fulfill its purpose and cannot survive.

There are 3 primary reasons to be outward focused:

• Prepare People to Hear the Gospel – The underlying purpose of outreach is not just to meeting needs in the community, it is to build relationships to gain the trust to share the gospel of Christ.   The best place to share the love of Christ is to start with felt needs.  Because the spiritual, material, physical, financial emotional, intellectual and social needs of people in the community are so diverse, several different types of outreach programs are necessary.
• Church Growth – Church outreach is also means to introduce people in the community to the church by making them aware of God’s love for them.  Outreach stimulates church growth by mobilizing members to minister to the un-churched.  Outreach is only a starting point for many people on their path to a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Churches must pick up where outreach ends, providing the worship, fellowship and discipleship opportunities to those they have reached out to.
• Church Morale – Besides leading people to Christ and drawing people into the church, bringing healing and help to our communities, outreach encourages the church volunteer as well.  This is an important part of the process for growing disciples and fostering fellowship among believers.   Discipleship involves much more than training and education; it requires practical application.  A church goal of reaching out to the community in love and service, with the ultimate purpose of witnessing to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, will absolutely unify a congregation.

1. How do we measure outreach success?

The church simply cannot be effective without a priority placed on outreach ministry.  So why does outreach seem, so often, to either not be our focus or, despite our best efforts, not be very effective? Essentially, the challenge becomes finding the time and money necessary for effective community outreach.  But I believe, more often than not, the resources are there but the delivery systems are flawed.  We’re simply not making the best use of the time (energy and intentions) and money available to the church and its members.

The level of participation of church members in ministry, and the number of souls saved, are ultimate measures of the “fruit” of a church. Ask yourself  . . .

• How many have been equipped and mobilized for ministry?
• How any are fulfilling their life mission in the world?

This is the fruit of fulfilling the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

2. How do we empower members/volunteers for effective and efficient outreach?

Today, many churches and ministries are using innovative, effective and inexpensive outreach programs.  While big events can be an expensive, like block parties that bring Christian churches in a community together to help those in need, they can also be landmark occasions for both the church and the community.  Support groups and classes on topics like marriage, child rearing, career planning, etc. require time but not much money.  Meet The Need minimizes the resources or effort traditionally required of the church. Meet The Need can mobilize church members to be ministers in the community directly and in very impactful ways.  Making an investment in community outreach is not optional; the only question is how to be most effective and efficient in bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the un-churched in our communities.

3. How do we keep the balance of ministry and outreach needs? 

Churches must be cautious as to not have an inverse relationship between an emphasis on building buildings and building disciples. Many churches have ambitious building programs but often seem to lack ambitious discipleship processes and a bold message from the pulpit.  Maybe in those cases the attention has shifted so much internally, like the company that is overly focused on building infrastructure, that the church is not maintaining a reasonable “balance” across its purposes, under emphasizing evangelism and outreach ministry.  Understanding how to grow without building new buildings is a difficult question, but if you concentrate on building people, God will build the church.

Posted in Community Outreach, Families & Individuals Serving, Missions & Outreach, Uncategorized
No Comments »

What are you doing about helping others?  So often, I believe, we try to make our acts of service so grand and over the top that we fail to really see the small acts of service that we could be achieving on a daily basis.

What about the little girl without a mommy that you could invite to go shopping or to a Mother/Daughter event?  Or a basketball game and Christ centered conversation with the young man who doesn’t have a father figure in his life? How about the elderly couple or single mom next door that need their weeds pulled or the garage cleaned out?  What about simply offering a tissue to a child that is crying in Wal-Mart?  Merely offering a helping hand to push a wheelchair over a curb in a crowd of people who are watching as someone struggles. We are called to love one another and one way we can do that is by helping others year round, truly identifying simple needs and reaching out without expecting anything in return.  Daily putting our love in action as the opportunities arise.

•   “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”– Mother Teresa

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa

“Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead.” – Mother Teresa

Think about this, if God doesn’t view our sins on levels then why would he view our acts of service on levels?  James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.   Jesus washed feet, why shouldn’t we pull weeds if we truly want to serve like He did, humbly without pride?  God will always honor a humble servant and dislikes people filled with pride and self-centered motives.

Let’s keep in mind that doing these small acts should never negate the larger acts of service and put us in a “that’s good enough” state of mind.  If you are having a difficult time recognizing service opportunities, try to identify a special group of people you may be passionate about helping.  Consider the interests and talents that God has given you and ask Him for the wisdom to figure out which people group you can focus on helping. But don’t let this “box you in” and follow as God leads you daily.  Some suggestions to consider:

• Children who are struggling in school and need tutoring
• Elderly assistance in a nursing home or in-home care
• People who suffer from a certain diseases, like cancer
• Prison ministries
• Homeless or hunger initiatives
• International Missions projects
• Disaster Relief projects
• Families in Crisis
• Crisis Pregnancy initiatives
• Building and construction projects

When you help people in a way that you’re passionate about, you’ll discover the thrill of fulfilling more of God’s purposes for your life. Click here for more ideas…

Meet The Need encourages you to serve with a cheerful heart and with the love of God not because of the rewards you will reap but because when you serve you imitate Jesus and are pleasing to the Lord.

Posted in Community Outreach, Families & Individuals Serving, Missions & Outreach
No Comments »

How MTN has impacted individuals in Arkansas through The Central Arkansas Area Command Salvation Army.

Beth just recently lost her job working for a local doctors office. For the next 3 months she spent the majority of her time trying to find employment to make ends meet for her family. Struggling to pay her utility bills and to give her daughter some sense of a normal Christmas she went to her local Salvation Army center for support.

There she applied for an opportunity to receive help by getting her daughter added to the local Angel Tree Campaign. For months her daughter continued to mention that all she wanted for Christmas is a mini-play kitchen. Knowing how expensive her daughter’s gift was she doubtfully added the request to the Angel Tree in hopes of receiving something even if it wasn’t the mini-play kitchen.

After a few weeks she returned to the Salvation Army to pick up her items. When she arrived at the distribution center she was greeted by a volunteer that was pushing a large cart. As the cart got closer to her she realized that it was a mini- kitchen! She began to cry and hugged the volunteer. ” that was one of the greatest moments I can remember since working here. The funniest days of the year is during the holiday distribution were you can see reactions from families in need. – Kathy Barbeire

The Salvation Army in Central Arkansas uses Meet The Need for online outreach to receive volunteers. With the Holiday being their busiest season, the Salvation Army broadcast their open opportunities to serve and meet the needs of thousands of individuals in the Central Arkansas community.

The well-known Angel Tree Campaign will give donations to 3,000 children over this holiday season. “The key to being successful is early planning’ said Kathy who started posting needs several months ago to be prepared for this season.

The Salvation Army is known for its holiday campaigns and events like The Angel Tree, and The Red Kettle campaigns but want volunteers to know that while the abundance of support through the holiday season is greatly appreciated; they are also in need of support throughout the entire year. They also host an annual Luncheon Gala and Music Education Summer Camps that you can also support. Form more information about The Salvation Army Central Arkansas Command Contact Kathy Barbeire.

Posted in Community Outreach, Families & Individuals Serving, Missions & Outreach, Uncategorized
No Comments »

 Galatians 5:13-14
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Some of our biggest spending occurs during the Holiday season. No matter how tight our budgets we often  find room to splurge. As many of us already know it’s not the amount we spend that makes our holidays eventful but the quality of our serving. Here are 4 ways to volunteer and support your community throughout the holiday that cost almost nothing.

1. Skip a Latte’ (or martini) for Charity.  Make a commitment to skip a latte’ (or your beverage or choice) once a week or more during the holidays.  Take the savings and donate to a local nonprofit or a cause you care about.  With 12 weeks left ’till Christmas, you could easily save $60 or more.  $60 would make a big difference to hungry families and kids without books and medicine here or abroad. Recruit your friends and coworkers to pledge to Skip a Latte’ too, and see what kind of impact you can make together.

2. Create a Caring Circle Calendar for a Relative.  Rake leaves, shovel snow, prepare a meal, or visit for coffee — these are simple gestures that can make a world of difference for relatives during the holidays (and throughout the year).

3. Stick Close to Home
Many charities have volunteer jobs which can be done from home. These jobs range from creating flyers to advertising special events hosted by the charity to creating gift baskets of food or clothing for needy families. This type of volunteer opportunity permits your whole family to participate in the fun, but requires very little travel or time set aside for the project. Contact local charity organizations and see what they need help with. These opportunities will allow your entire family to be involved, including small children.

3. Scour Your Neighborhood
Many times, members of your neighborhood may be in need of assistance. Consider whether any elderly, handicapped or other needy individuals live in your area and if you could somehow bring them joy over the holidays. Perhaps you could invite the needy individuals over to your house for a meal or bring them a meal that your family cooked together. Another great idea is to help decorate a senior citizen’s home with Christmas lights. This activity will be fun for you and your children and make the recipient smile. Don’t be surprised if you’re offered cookies when you return to take the lights down after the holidays.

Posted in Community Development, Community Outreach, Families & Individuals Serving, Missions & Outreach
1 Comment »