Christian Retailing

ADVICE: Dear Betty Bookstore Print Email
Written by Staff   
Friday, 03 April 2009 10:12 AM America/New_York

altSometimes our services run way over time, making it difficult for bookstore volunteers who have other commitments to get to later in the day. What do you suggest?

With volunteers, you must be flexible in your expectations. Their time is a gift, and they should always be appreciated for whatever time they are able to give.

If your store is full of customers and the time grows late, you could consider:
* Seeing if paid staff members can pick up the slack so that volunteers can be excused.
* Polling your volunteers to see if any with no pressing commitments can stay longer, if needs be. If one can help this way, be sure to thank them personally. Write them a thank-you note.

If no one can stay, you’ll just have to apologize to your customers for the wait. But you don’t want this to become a regular practice or customers may be put off returning. Make plans to enlist additional volunteers, and consider the possibility of hiring additional staff.

You could also ask your pastor to make sure services don’t run over in such a way—but that might be hazardous to your employment.

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