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Volunteer Recognition Ideas from Minnesota Colleagues
Published on 3/5/2020
Thank yous
Keep a log of comments from staff/clients; when you hear a volunteer has been praised or appreciated, send a note of thanks
Encourage others to say thank you
Send handwritten postcards of thanks
Say “Thank you” to volunteers daily
Learning opportunities
Provide volunteers with advanced training
Invite to staff in-services/trainings
Send to relevant conferences
Additional responsibility
Ask veteran volunteers to orient and mentor newer volunteers
Promote volunteers to lead roles and offer more challenging tasks
Networking opportunities
Set up times for group interaction
Provide lunch or social hours for a chance to connect with other volunteers
Arrange lunch with the CEO or key staff
Organizational accomplishments
Report client satisfaction to volunteers
Share program milestones and successes
Send e-mail alerts to volunteers when the organization is mentioned in the news
Volunteer preferences
Survey all volunteers to find out how they might like to be recognized
Discuss options during the initial interview
Feedback opportunities
Seek informal advice from volunteers
Survey them regularly to gather input
Small gifts
Take and share pictures showing personal achievements and ‘on the job’ moments
Give out candy with a related note – i.e., Junior Mints - “You are worth a mint”
Keep a goody treasure bag (i.e., treats, pencils, etc.) for spontaneous thank yous
On-site recognition
Provide ribbons for volunteers to wear at work to draw attention to them
Share volunteer birthdays/achievements with staff and other volunteers so that they can offer congratulations
Personal attention
Send birthday cards; remember to send get well and sympathy cards if appropriate
Seek one-on-one moments to check in
Send ‘anniversary of volunteering’ cards
Make contact on volunteer anniversaries to talk about how their assignments are going
Public acknowledgement
Post volunteer thank yous on social media
Create a “Volunteer Hall of Fame”
Take pictures and post in common areas
Highlight volunteer accomplishments in organization newsletter and local newspapers
Nominate outstanding volunteers for awards
Working conditions
Create a welcoming atmosphere – coffee and tea available during shifts, treats, etc.
Provide volunteers with their own work space and a comfortable work environment
Ensure access to needed equipment and technology, along with appropriate training
Provide durable volunteer name badges
Introduce to all staff and volunteers
Project volunteers
Include project results in a thank you letter
Make sure staff and other volunteers are aware of project implementation and results
Offer lunch/food during project times
Throw an end-of-project dinner/lunch/happy hour celebration
Track project intervals and recognize completion of key goals or milestones
Develop team incentives/friendly competition between project volunteer groups
Present volunteers with project-based recognition items – certificates, tee shirts, etc.
Send thank yous to employers of work teams
© 2019 Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA)
www.mavanetwork.org
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