Categories
motivation

Do You Volunteer For the Right Reasons?

It was great to see nonprofits and volunteers help ease the pain through the coronavirus pandemic. It’s safe to say most people don’t volunteer for the money like our guy in today’s cartoon. But do you volunteer for the right reasons? And does the motivation matter?

Some volunteer projects can be gross. Others have nice perks like donuts. There are projects that put a spotlight on the volunteers while others faithfully serve in the background. As this article shows, Our motivations to volunteer can be quite varied. Do these factors matter?

As long as something good is coming out of volunteering, motives may take a back seat. However, we know of stories where someone appeared to be doing something for altruistic motives and they ended up embezzling or taking advantage of someone or a group of people.

Cartoon of a burglar who says, "I'd love to volunteer, but I only want to count the money."
Categories
children's ministry cartoons

Gross Volunteering Cartoon

Sometimes, volunteer workers encounter disgusting situations. I thought about what that would look like if a boy volunteer was hoping for such a situation, but he had no luck. That led to this gross volunteering cartoon.

Gross volunteering cartoon: A boy says, "Our group is cleaning this park. Anything disgusting in this area?"

This cartoon reminds me of two times I volunteered and encountered something gross.

Categories
webcomic

You Can’t Squeeze Blood from a Turnip

Asking for donations can be a tricky business. While there are many generous people, it isn’t hard to find someone who is reluctant to give for any cause. After all, you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip!

Cartoon on giving and turnips. Cliche You can't squeeze blood from a turnip

Where in the world, did, the phrase come from? When I did a search, it appears it’s one of those proverbs that came out of nowhere. I forgot that “you can’t get blood from a stone,” is a variation on this, I wouldn’t recommend trying to get blood from either one.

Categories
CHOG News church cartoons Newsletters

Volunteering for the money

Cartoon of a burglar who says, "I'd love to volunteer, but I only want to count the money."
I’ve heard it said that it takes a leader to motivate paid staff, but it takes a real leader to motivate volunteers. That’s why I believe one of the best leaders I’ve seen is my wife. I have seen her cast vision, inspire and motivate children’s ministry volunteer staff at three churches. 

At none of the churches have I seen a guy like the burglar in this cartoon. He would not be allowed to rock babies or make crafts with the preschoolers. Besides, he wouldn’t pass the background check!

I drew this for the October 2017 Church of God e-newsletter.

Categories
CHOG News church cartoons Newsletters

Frozen Church Greeter | Cartoon

Cartoon of a man saying to a snowman, "You're doing great, but I don't see you on the greeter volunteer list."

The best volunteers show up in the most unexpected places. I am not saying snowmen make the best greeters. After all, their verbal skills leave a lot to be desired. But they do have two attributes every greeter needs; be present and smile. 

When I came up with this idea, I thought of all the hard working greeters that brave the elements over the winter. They do their best to make a visitor feel welcome. They make us feel warm on the inside even though they are freezing in the doorway. 

Let’s give credit to all the church greeters who brave the winter elements to make everyone feel welcomed.

I drew this cartoon for the “January 2017 Church of God Newsletter.”