Volunteer Appreciation Ideas
You don't need a ton of time to recognize and celebrate your champion volunteers this National Volunteer Week (4/21 - 4/27) - whether you have a few minutes or a few hours, we'll break it down for you with creative volunteer appreciation ideas for any amount of time.
Have a few minutes?
- Hand-write a Thank You note to a volunteer - the feeling behind a heartfelt note of appreciation can get lost in today's technological world. Take a few minutes to write one for a top volunteer in your organization or simply a volunteer who helps make your own life easier. Check out 8 Tips for Writing the Perfect Thank you Note
- Give volunteers a social shout - whether it's quickly tagging them in a message of thanks on facebook or twitter, or posting a special dedication on your volunteer web page or facebook group page, a fun social shout that your volunteer community will see is a great way to recognize your champions of service. See: Building Volunteer Communities with Social Media
- Make a Thank You video - it's easy to capture a quality video these days with something as small as your smartphone. Apps like Tout and Viddy let you take a short (15 to 30 second) video (think volunteer leaders shouting 'thank you') and post to email or social channels with a click. Platforms like Animoto let you take your volunteer pictures and put them in a beautiful slideshow with music.
Planning for a few hours?
- Coordinate a brunch/lunch for your volunteers - nothing says 'thanks' quite like a delicious offering of scrumptuous goodies and good company. Organize a celebratory meal for your volunteers with free online sign up sheets!
- Organize a volunteer appreciation party - if an all-out party is more your volunteer group's flavor, then throw one! Incorporate fun themes, decorations and engaging activities (kareoke, roasts of volunteer coordinators, dancing, limbo, you name it!) and have certificates on hand for individually recognizing your dedicated volunteers.
- Network with local businesses - get on the phone and start emailing local businesses to see if they would be interested in donating goods, special offers or discounts to your volunteer group for National Volunteer Week. Compile goodie bags or baskets as small gifts for volunteers and hand them out at your brunch or party.
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Don't miss our Volunteer Recognition eBook with more great ideas!
