Top 3’s about Volunteer Appreciation
16 Aug
Volunteer appreciation is something I believe you can do well on any sized budget. Particularly in this economic season. Over the past 9 years my team has used multiple methods appreciate our volunteers. Anything from exclusive t-shirts & coffee mugs to engraved Bibles. These are great gifts… and people truly appreciate them. However, the gift that seems to stick the most is the personal expression of thanks.
- Written “Thank You”: Our mailboxes are filled with bills, form letters and junkmail. Imagine being surprised by a handwritten card that says “Thank You” for all you do. A reminder of how your contribution has significance. These small gestures are cheap, specific and more impactful than most realize. I’ve tossed out many of the appreciation trinkets I’ve received as a staff member. Yet I’ll never part with handwritten cards from my pastor, my peers or my volunteers. Their words mean more to me than they will ever know.
- Spoken “Thank You”: The weekend is busy and you’re pulled in multiple directions. Yet stopping the chaos long enough to make eye contact and express a sincere Thank You goes further than we think. It can’t be flippant. It can’t be rushed. It must be sincere. And it must come from you.
- Token “Thank You”: Low budget trinkets are a fun way to make someone feel special. They’re even more fun when they’re specific. In LifeKIDS, we have our volunteers complete an “In the Spotlight” form. Click here to see. With these questions we harvest the most specific ways to express gratitude toward our volunteers. Anything from surprising them with a Snickers bar, giving them a side-hug, to mapping out a great walking trail simply b/c that’s how they love to spend their time.
There are so many creative ways to express gratitude and appreciation toward our volunteers. What would you add to this list?
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Kenny (3)
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The handwritten Thank-You card is my secret weapon. I write about 3 a week to different volunteers, even if they’re deeds have just been passed down to me.
And I’m with you on the spoken. I think it’s better done when it’s not directly after they’ve completed something awesome; but instead just given during a normal time. The unexpected Thank You’s always mean the most, right?
and I totally just typed They’re when I should have typed their. Crap!
As a volunteer myself, I was surprised and pleased to get a hand written thank you note from my experience captain last week. And yes, it was nice to hear a thanks instead of opening another bill…or just feel like you always go unnoticed. Write on leaders!