How can you creatively recognize volunteers?

1 Personalize your thank-you notes

A simple but effective way to recognize volunteers is to send them handwritten thank-you notes that express your appreciation and highlight their specific contributions. For example, you can mention how they helped with a particular event, project, or task, how they made a difference for a beneficiary, or how they demonstrated a core value of your organization. You can also include a photo, a sticker, or a small gift that relates to their interests or hobbies. Personalizing your thank-you notes shows that you care about your volunteers as individuals and that you notice their unique strengths and talents.

2 Showcase their stories and achievements

Another way to creatively recognize volunteers is to showcase their stories and achievements on your website, newsletter, social media, or other platforms. You can feature a volunteer of the month, share a testimonial or a success story, or create a video or a podcast that highlights their work and impact. You can also invite your volunteers to share their own experiences and insights on why they volunteer, what they learned, and what they enjoyed. Showcasing their stories and achievements not only recognizes their efforts, but also inspires other volunteers and potential supporters to join your cause.

3 Celebrate their milestones and occasions

A third way to creatively recognize volunteers is to celebrate their milestones and occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or retirements. You can send them a card, a cake, a balloon, or a certificate that congratulates them on their special day. You can also organize a party, a luncheon, or a picnic where you can gather your volunteers and staff and have fun together. You can also present them with awards, pins, badges, or trophies that honor their years of service, hours of commitment, or levels of achievement. Celebrating their milestones and occasions shows that you value your volunteers as part of your community and that you want to share their joy and happiness.

4 Involve them in decision-making and feedback

A fourth way to creatively recognize volunteers is to involve them in decision-making and feedback processes that affect their work and your organization. You can ask them for their opinions, suggestions, and concerns on various issues, such as goals, strategies, policies, or challenges. You can also invite them to participate in surveys, focus groups, or brainstorming sessions where they can share their perspectives and ideas. You can also provide them with constructive and positive feedback on their performance, strengths, and areas for improvement. Involving them in decision-making and feedback shows that you respect your volunteers as partners and that you value their input and expertise.

5 Offer them opportunities for learning and growth

A fifth way to creatively recognize volunteers is to offer them opportunities for learning and growth that can enhance their skills, knowledge, and confidence. You can provide them with training, mentoring, coaching, or shadowing programs that can help them develop new competencies or improve existing ones. You can also connect them with other volunteers, staff, or experts who can offer them guidance, support, or inspiration. You can also encourage them to take on new roles, responsibilities, or challenges that can stretch their potential and broaden their horizons. Offering them opportunities for learning and growth shows that you support your volunteers as learners and that you want to help them achieve their goals and aspirations.

6 Surprise them with unexpected gestures

A sixth way to creatively recognize volunteers is to surprise them with unexpected gestures that can delight them and make them feel special. You can send them a flower, a chocolate, or a coupon that they can use for something they like. You can also give them a shout-out, a compliment, or a hug when they least expect it. You can also arrange a visit, a call, or a message from someone they admire, such as a celebrity, an influencer, or a leader. Surprising them with unexpected gestures shows that you appreciate your volunteers as friends and that you want to make them smile and laugh.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?