Thanking your volunteers for their time and dedication is an important part of being an effective manager of volunteers, as well as ensuring your organization retains long-term volunteers. There are many ways to show your volunteers that you appreciate the work they do on an on-going basis, not just at an annual volunteer appreciation event. We asked volunteer managers and here are some of the most effective ways they recognize their volunteers:

1. In-Person communication

81% of volunteer managers surveyed stated that they prefer to thank their volunteers in person. This is the most effective way of communicating gratitude for a job well done. There is nothing like being face-to-face with a volunteer to convey your thanks and it’s one of the most sincere ways to compliment someone.

2. Events

Tied for the #1 spot, holding events to recognize volunteers also held 81% of volunteer managers’ votes. If you have the budget, throwing an event is a great way to bring your volunteers together, as well as express your appreciation for their work. The events can be big or small. The important part is that you dedicate some time on behalf of your organization to recognize volunteers.

3. Thank you cards

Because so much of our daily lives revolves around email, smartphones, computers, tablets, and more, getting a personalized card in the mail is often cherished. Set aside some time after each event to handwrite thank you cards. It is a low-cost way of thanking your volunteers, and by customizing each card, you can communicate how you truly feel and how their volunteerism has positively impacted your organization.

4. Email communications

Sending out a weekly or monthly email conveys a message of gratitude and lets your volunteers know that they are important to you. Like in-person communication, there is no cost associated with this method and it gives you the perfect opportunity to keep the lines of communication open.

5. Awards

Giving awards to your top volunteers is a great, tangible way of expressing your thanks, particularly for exceptional performance, or long-term service. Volunteers are often the back-bone of a non-profit organization and it is very important to take a moment to recognize the actions of the most dedicated and hardest working volunteers. Having other volunteers nominate award recipients is a great team building exercise and is quite meaningful to recipients upon learning that their peers value their work as much as the organization does.

6. Certificates

Certificates of achievement are another low-cost method of expressing your thanks. Many volunteers who receive these certificates will display them in their homes or offices. They can be mailed out with a personalized thank you, or you may want to host an event like a luncheon or an afternoon tea to distribute them. Programs such as PREB-Ontario offer resources related to volunteer recognition certificates.

7. Newsletters

Chances are, your organization already sends out e-newsletters. If not, it’s something to look into as soon as possible. Newsletters are great for communicating updates, listing volunteer opportunities, and can also include profiles of top volunteers, or a section of praise from those who directly benefited from a volunteer’s work.

8. Social media blasts

Depending on your volunteer demographic, social media is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your volunteers and what they do. It also acts as advertising for your organization, and as a recruitment effort for new volunteers. Seeing that you are active on social media and frequently honouring volunteers speaks volumes about volunteer appreciation. It is also a great way to reach and engage the community as a whole.

9. Birthdays

If your organization collects birthday information from its volunteers, take advantage of it! Sending a celebratory good wish to a volunteer on a milestone day, like a birthday, lets them know you are paying attention and appreciate their dedication. It could be a card in the mail, an email, or a phone call. If you have a particularly notable volunteer, you may even take them for lunch to help celebrate their special day.

10. Thank you letters

Showing your appreciation through a thank you letter is something that volunteers value. They may even ask if they can use the letter as a letter of recommendation with their resumes. Much like thank you cards, letters are a great place to share your thoughts with your volunteers. 

No matter how you choose to do it, it’s important to recognize your volunteers in the most sincere way possible. Blocking off time in your schedule, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly, to spend on volunteer recognition goes a long way. Remember – happy volunteers who feel valued are more likely to become long-term volunteers with your organization.

Charity Republic makes it easy for schools and non-profits to track and manage hours and volunteer activities in one place: www.charityrepublic.com