When a nonprofit or church plans a building project, they often have supporters or members who want to be part of it. How can you make the best use of your volunteers’ enthusiasm and skills?

NCI-Roberts has seen volunteer labor successfully incorporated into construction projects. We’ve also seen times when relying on volunteers has had unintended consequences. There can be real advantages to using volunteers, but it’s important to consider the potential impacts to your project — and risks to the volunteers themselves — before you start.

VOLUNTEERS ARE AWESOME!

portrait of Jace JontzChurch and nonprofit organizations often already have a willing pool of volunteer helpers, and using volunteers can help save money.

Being part of an important building project can be rewarding for volunteers and gives volunteers a sense of accomplishment. “It makes them feel like part of the project for the rest of their lives,” says Jace Jontz, senior project manager for NCI-Roberts.

PROTECT YOUR ORGANIZATION — AND YOUR SUPPORTERS

“Any remodel project comes with some unknowns,” says Jace. Before a single volunteer swings a sledgehammer or climbs a ladder, consider these risks:

hand with tablet on top of building plansConstruction work is inherently dangerous regardless of project type. Consider:

And if the reality of your project causes you to rethink having volunteers participate, you’re not the first. “Sometimes organizations look into having volunteers help out with the construction and then change their minds once they understand the risks,” Jace says.

EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS

If you decide not to include volunteers in the actual construction, “a building project often has many other tasks where volunteers might be able to help out,” says Jace.

Volunteers can contribute through:

rusty wheelbarrow next to pile of mulch with broom nearby“Landscaping often happens at the end of a project, so the schedule may not be as much of a concern,” says Jace. Some gardening tasks well-suited for volunteers:

One of the best ways for volunteers to help is by keeping enthusiasm high during the weeks or months of construction. “Counting down to occupancy and building excitement for the big reveal is a great way for volunteers to help,” says Jace. “Achieving the goal is a major milestone and something to celebrate!”

NCI-ROBERTS CAN HELP

NCI-Roberts Construction is committed to being stewards of the hard-earned resources of your church or nonprofit, and keeping your missions at the center of what we do. Learn more about NCI-Roberts’ philosophy and process, and contact us with any questions you have.

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