Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation

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1 Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation Presented By: Jamey Bachman, Executive Director Volunteer Starkville IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION & APPRECIATION Do you feel that volunteers play an important role in your organization s mission and your success? Volunteer recognition and appreciation are key when retaining volunteers at your organization Satisfies basic human needs Motivates volunteers to continue their involvement Shows volunteers that others acknowledge and appreciate what they do What might happen if your volunteers don t feel appreciated? 1

2 COMBINE TYPES OF VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION 2 Basic Types of Volunteer Recognition Extrinsic Recognition Tangible forms of recognition (awards, certificates, gifts, etc.) Intrinsic Recognition Less tangible forms of recognition (pride of accomplishment, self satisfaction, and personal belief that they have contributed to your organization through meaningful service APPLYING TYPE OF RECOGNITION TO TYPE OF VOLUNTEER If you do for one, do you have to do for all? Some recognition methods are more appropriate for your ongoing volunteers rather than the one-timers 2

3 TIMES TO RECOGNIZE & APPRECIATE YOUR VOLUNTEERS All throughout the year! National Volunteer Week April 6-13, 2014 Holidays Valentine s Day, Easter, 4 th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Seasons Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION & APPRECIATION IDEAS Low & No Cost Volunteer Appreciation Ideas Volunteer Awards Volunteer Appreciation Gift Ideas Volunteer Appreciation Event Ideas 3

4 Thank You s Personalize the include their name & reference the task they did and tell them how it contributed to the overall success of your organization (Great for 1-time & first time volunteers) For special one-time volunteer events, take pictures, create a photo album on your FB, and include the link in the thank you Expressing Thanks on Social Media Thanking Tuesday Take pictures of your volunteers while doing service Highlight one of your volunteers each Tuesday and tell your social media audience how they are making a difference in your organization! Tag that person if possible Post group pictures on social media after 1-time events Special Thank You Newsletter Send out at end of year to ALL of your volunteers Include a coupon to a local store or an invitation to a volunteer appreciation social Volunteer of the Month Create a special bulletin board at your organization and feature the volunteer of the month Highlight your volunteer of the month on your organization s website, in monthly newsletters, on social media, etc. Nominate as a Volunteer Superstar to Volunteer Starkville Article featured on VS Volunteer Superstar Blog Article in Starkville Daily News 4

5 Volunteer Photo Wall Arrange a special photo wall for your volunteers! Recognize Birthdays & Anniversaries of Volunteers , cards, etc. Handwritten Thank You Notes Print your own customized cards, purchase cute cards from local dollar store, etc. Include pictures of your volunteers with the note Volunteer Survival Kit Band-Aid: For all the aid you provide Piece of Rope: For when you have reached the end of yours! Rubber Band: To remind you to stay flexible Crayon: To color your days cheerful and bright LifeSaver: To remind you that you re appreciated a hole lot Mint: Because we re thankful for your commit mint KitKat: For when you need to take a break! 5

6 Volunteer Appreciation Kit Puzzle Piece: Because without YOU, we wouldn t be complete! Paper Clip: Thanks for helping to hold us together! Rubber Band: Thanks for being flexible! Smarties: Because you are such a smartie! Thanks for the great ideas! Mint: Because we re thankful for your commit mint Tootsie Roll: Thanks for playing such an important roll in our organization! LifeSaver: We appreciate YOU a hole lot Almond Joy: Thanks for all of the joy you bring to our organization and clients! Special Thank You Newsletter Send out at end of year to ALL of your volunteers Include a coupon to a local store or an invitation to a volunteer appreciation social Volunteer of the Month Create a special bulletin board at your organization and feature the volunteer of the month Highlight your volunteer of the month on your organization s website, in monthly newsletters, on social media, etc. Nominate as a Volunteer Superstar to Volunteer Starkville Article featured on VS Volunteer Superstar Blog Article in Starkville Daily News 6

7 VOLUNTEER AWARDS Create volunteer awards specific to your organization Relate to length of service 1-year, 5-year, 10-year volunteers Volunteer of the Year; Behind the Scenes Award; Peer Nominated Award; Client Nominated Award, etc. Certificate of Appreciation VS Volunteer Spirit Award Minimum of 50 hours of service during award year (April 1, 2013 March 31, 2014) President s Volunteer Service Award Minimum of 100 hours of service during award year (April 1, 2013 March 31, 2014) Awarded by VS & MVC at annual banquet VOLUNTEER AWARDS Governor s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Award Awarded by Volunteer MS in cooperation with the Office of the Governor Honor the accomplishments of Mississippians who make a difference in our communities each year Points of Light Awards ( Daily Point of Light Award The Board Member of the Month Award The Extra Mile Points of Light Volunteer Pathway 7

8 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION GIFT IDEAS Candy Bar or other snack with a Note You re such a life saver! You really make a difference at our organization! Thanks for all of your hard work! Thanks for your commit mint to Sally Kate Winters Family Services! Thanks for volunteering your time! Candy Bag with Note Seasonal, on holidays, etc. VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION GIFT IDEAS Tumbler with candy Framed photo of the volunteer volunteering at your organization or a photo album of them volunteering Customized volunteer t-shirt 8

9 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT IDEAS Small social events around holidays Watermelon or Ice Cream Social during summer; Caramel Apples on a Stick for Halloween; Cookie Social around Christmas; etc. Just Desserts Social Only offer great desserts & invite every volunteer who served during the year Movable Feast / Progressive Meal Organize an appreciation meal for your volunteers and feature a different course in a different room of your organization Volunteer Recognition/Appreciation Luncheon or Banquet RESOURCES FOR VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION & APPRECIATION Google Pinterest HandsOn Network & Points of Light National Corporation for Community Service Handouts Provided Today 52 Volunteer Appreciation Ideas 139 Ways to Say Thank-You and Recognize Volunteers 9