How to recognise Volunteers

People volunteer for the benefit of our Movement. That’s what motivates us. Everyone appreciates being valued even if it’s a “thank you”. The Youth Members, parents and Leaders who attend ARP’s do not expect recognition for their contribution and or attendance, but they should be considered so that they feel valued and know they are valuable to the Group, District etc.

International Volunteer Day will be held on 5 December 2023 so start thinking about whether you should recognise some of your supporters. Some of the awards you can nominate someone for include:

• NAB Volunteer Awards?– aiming to recognise the commitment of volunteers and to reward the community groups who show the best practice in their management of volunteers.

• National Honours Award Scheme?– awarded twice yearly by the Governor-General in their capacity as Head of State, to very publicly recognize, reward, and celebrate outstanding achievements and service to the community.

• Australian Safer Communities Awards?– awarded to community groups or individuals (mostly volunteers) who make our communities safer places to live in, conducted by Emergency Management Australia.

• Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence?in Community Business Partnerships?– aiming to publicly recognise business and community groups who are working together in a ‘spirit of social coalition, to tackle problems of disadvantage and to build stronger local communities’.

Finally, phone your local council or find its website off the list of Queensland local councils. Many local councils have Community Volunteer Awards and nominating one of your volunteers can be a great way of recognising their efforts.

Kirsty M Brown AM

Project Commissioner