Ideas for Recognition
Recognition makes volunteers feel appreciated and valued. If volunteers feel like their contribution is valuable or necessary, they are more likely to volunteer again. Volunteer recognition can take many forms, from a simple thank-you card to a large annual event. Consider different ways to thank your volunteers before, during, and after their service.
Here are some easy, everyday ways to recognize volunteers:
- Use e-mail to send thank you letters/messages.
- Send postcards or thank you cards to volunteers after they attend a project.
- Send a birthday card.
- Submit pictures of volunteers to be in your organization’s newsletter.
- Post pictures of volunteers on a bulletin board at your organization.
- Provide organizational goodies – hats, shirts, pins, magnets, water bottles, etc.
- Have them join you for coffee or lunch.
Below are some more involved, intermediate recognition ideas:
- Nominate a volunteer Star of the Month – award them a certificate, letter, or small gift.
- Sponsor happy hours and social events. Encourage volunteers to meet each other.
- Recognize volunteers on local radio or television stations.
- Invite volunteers to serve as project leaders or committee members.
- Give gift certificates to museums, movies, restaurants, etc. Solicit your community for donations!
- Nominate volunteers for local/national awards such as the Presidential Service Awards.
- Write articles about them in newsletters or newspapers.
- Write a letter to their employer highlighting the accomplishments of the volunteer. Be sure to find out of the volunteer would appreciate this before writing the letter!
- Celebrate major accomplishments.
- Recognize anniversaries with your organization.
- Have them attend a training, workshop, seminar, etc. at the expense of your organization.
- Give them additional responsibilities.
- Create a photo collage or slide show of volunteer activities.
Some large-scale means of recognition:
- Hold annual recognition events: a dinner, a breakfast, an awards ceremony/celebration, a picnic/potluck, theme party, etc.
- Recognize long-term volunteers with Service Awards: a plaque, trophy, certificate, etc.
- Give additional responsibilities and a new title.
- Put up a banner celebrating major accomplishments.
- Enlist them in training staff and other volunteers.
- Involve them in the annual planning process.
- Make a donation to the organization of their choice in their name.
- Organize an outing at a zoo, amusement park, sporting event, etc., where volunteers get in for free.
Portions of the above information are taken from materials by Make A Difference, a member organization of Hands On Network; Volunteer Management by Steve McCurley and Rick Lynch (1997); http://www.serviceleader.org; and http://www.independentsector.org.
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