4.

Successful Practices for Implementing JustServe in the Community

Successful Practices for Stake JustServe Working Groups

Under the leadership of the stake communication director or JustServe specialist, working group members may assist with all or part of the stake JustServe working group’s responsibilities. The lead may consider the unique contributions that working group members or others in the stake may add because of their community involvement. Typically, wards and stakes have at least one member who is already involved in the community through his or her work or personal interests. Returning members or friends of the Church could also be invited to serve on the working group but would not be called or set apart.

To successfully implement the JustServe initiative in the stake, JustServe should be introduced to the stake council. Stake JustServe working groups have used imaginative ways to find service projects to post on the website. Some have called a representative from each ward to identify projects. The stake communication director or JustServe specialist takes the lead in contacting organizations and populating the website, although other working group members may assist. The stake Relief Society president or her representative takes the lead in introducing JustServe to members, teaching them how to register and use the website and app, and encouraging participation in community service.

Introducing JustServe to Ward Members

1. Before encouraging members to sign up on JustServe.org, the working group should first post 15–20 recurring projects. Inviting members to register before projects are available can lead to discouragement and frustration.

2. The best way to introduce JustServe to the members of a ward is during a combined Melchizedek Priesthood, Relief Society, Aaronic Priesthood, and Young Women meeting. A combined meeting gives stake leaders and JustServe working group members 45 minutes to introduce JustServe and answer questions. Encourage members over 13 years old to register as volunteers on the website during the introduction meeting. Stake and ward priesthood leaders should be given time to speak about the doctrine of service and bear testimony of the blessings that come through community service.

3. Other stake and ward meetings are ideal opportunities to share positive JustServe experiences.

4. Assure members that JustServe is a tool or resource to volunteer out of love and a desire to serve in the community. It is not a program to add to their to-do list, nor is it a pretext for missionary work.

Introducing JustServe to Community Organizations

JustServe.org and the app make it easy for local volunteers to find opportunities to help those in need and enhance the quality of life in the community. JustServe helps people connect with others, develop mutual understanding, and make new friends, all while making the community a better place. JustServe can also help organize volunteers for disaster recovery.

You may want to consider using the following information when approaching community organizations about JustServe:

1. To help organizations connect with volunteers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has developed JustServe.org and the JustServe app. This site and app are a service provided at no charge or obligation.

2. Expected outcomes for the Church:

   • As we work side by side and learn from each other, we can build bridges of understanding with each other.

   • Missionaries are able to use some of their daytime hours for community service.

3. Expected outcomes for service organizations:

   • By providing opportunities for service on JustServe.org, qualified organizations may receive community volunteers as their time permits.

   • When appropriate, full-time missionaries may be invited to participate in projects.

4. Manage organization expectations:

   • Never make commitments for the number of volunteers who may actually sign up for a service project posted on JustServe.org.

   • Once there are a variety of projects listed, citizens in the community, including Latter-day Saints, will be invited to sign up and volunteer.

   • These things take time, and any decision to volunteer is made by the individual, not the Church.

5. Initially, all projects are vetted to ensure that they meet JustServe general guidelines (see “JustServe Stake and Ward Implementation”).

6. Invite the organization to partner with JustServe by agreeing to the general guidelines and receiving website administrative rights and civic boundaries to manage their own projects. As a partner, they are also asked to share the resource with their followers through their own communication channels.

7. Here are some simple guidelines for stake JustServe specialists:

   • We prefer to work with organizations whose purpose includes helping those in need or improving the quality of life in the community and whose projects conform to the general guidelines.

   • JustServe is not seeking publicity for the Church, nor do we want to compete with other faith-based organizations or volunteer platforms. JustServe.org is simply another channel for increasing exposure to volunteers.

   • We will not ask for donations; we simply want to help where we can.

   • If the organization is currently using a different website, encourage them to continue to use that website but also post their projects on JustServe.org to reach a broader group of potential volunteers.

   • Some volunteers may be missionaries, but they will not proselyte as they work. Of course, they may answer questions that might arise from others’ natural curiosity. They work in pairs, do not work with children, and do not use dangerous power tools.

   • While serving, missionaries will wear appropriate work clothing and their customary name tags.