Cartoons for church volunteers can make every stage of volunteering a little lighter. They can soften the ask when you need more hands. They can also turn a reminder into something people don’t mind receiving, and make a thank-you feel personal. This guide explores the many ways churches use cartoons to recruit, remind and thank the people who keep church life running.
This post is part of our guide, Cartoons in church life and ministry (coming soon).
Why use cartoons with volunteers?
Because asking is hard, and so is being asked. Most church appeals for help sound much the same, and people learn to read past them. A cartoon changes the tone. It says “we know this is a big ask” with a smile, which can make people far more willing to listen.
Cartoons also capture the shared experience of volunteering. The coffee rota, the chairs that need stacking, the sign-up sheet with one name on it: everyone recognizes them. That recognition builds a sense of being in it together, and it’s one of the reasons cartoons for church volunteers work so well.
How can cartoons help you recruit volunteers?
When it comes to recruiting, there are lots of ways to use cartoons for church volunteers. Here are a few ideas churches use.
- On the sign-up sheet. A cartoon at the top of the sheet in the foyer can draw people over and make signing up feel less daunting.
- In the bulletin or newsletter. Placing a cartoon beside a volunteer appeal can catch the eye of people who usually skim past. Our guide to using cartoons in church bulletins and newsletters has more ideas.
- At a ministry fair. A cartoon on each team’s table can start conversations and make every team feel approachable.
- On screen before the service. A cartoon shown with the announcements can give an appeal a lighter touch.
- In emails and on social media. A cartoon can help an online call for help stand out. Our guide to cartoons in church emails and social media explores the options.
How can cartoons help with reminders?
Reminders are easy to ignore, and nobody enjoys sending them. However, a cartoon can help them land without sounding like nagging. For example, a cartoon in the weekly rota email can make the schedule something people actually open. Similarly, a cartoon on the noticeboard next to the rota can help those who check it in person.
Some churches also like to use a cartoon for the “just a friendly reminder” message that goes out the week before a big event. It keeps the tone warm, even when the message is “we still need three more people for Saturday.”
How can cartoons help you say thank you?
Thanking volunteers is where cartoons can really shine. A cartoon shows you’ve put thought into the thanks. As a result, it often raises a smile that a plain note might not. That’s why cartoons for church volunteers are such a natural fit for appreciation. Here are a few possibilities:
- A volunteer appreciation Sunday, with a cartoon on screen or in the bulletin celebrating everyone who helps.
- A thank-you note or card, with a cartoon that captures the role someone has played.
- An end-of-year celebration, where a few cartoons can help look back on the year with laughter.
- A shout-out in the newsletter, with a cartoon alongside the names of the teams who made something happen.
How can you find the right cartoon?
First, think about the moment you want to capture. Then look for a cartoon that matches it. A good place to start is the Faith Collection (coming soon), which we put together for churches. It gathers cartoons about church life, from the choir to the potluck, alongside Bible stories and everyday faith.
You know your volunteers best, so trust your sense of what will make them smile. To learn more about how CartoonStock works with churches, visit our page for churches.
What should you know about licensing?
Each place a cartoon appears is its own use, so the license follows where the cartoon is going. For example, a cartoon on the sign-up sheet and the same cartoon on Facebook are two different uses. Our friendly guide to cartoon licensing for churches explains how that works.
If you’re planning a volunteer campaign across several places, tell us your plans and we’ll help you find the right fit.
Questions about cartoons for church volunteers
Could a cartoon make an appeal feel less pushy?
It often can. A cartoon acknowledges that you’re asking a lot, with a smile rather than pressure. That light touch can make people more willing to say yes.
Can we use a cartoon on thank-you cards for volunteers?
Yes, with a license for that use. If you’re planning cards for a whole team, let us know how you’d like to use the cartoon and we’ll help you get it right.
What if we’re short of volunteers for everything?
Then you’re in good company. A cartoon about that very problem can show people you understand. After all, a shared laugh about the empty sign-up sheet is sometimes the first step to filling it.