Don't Forget Volunteer Appreciation

Just got back from vacation where my wife and I volunteered for 11 days at one of our church’s historical sites. We fast learned the value of seeing volunteer appreciation and recognition in action both from our volunteer coordinators as well as with our fellow volunteer couples.

Here are some things we saw and learned:

* Provide both a general and a specific orientation session to review duties and responsibilities. This gets you at ease with all you will be doing and irons out the unasked questions or chance to ask those not addressed.

* Provide an orientation booklet with a list of all contact information of coordinators, volunteer schedule, and their assigned responsibilities. Sometimes you forget things so having this resource to refer to is so helpful.

* Hold a pre-shift meeting each day and each time thank volunteers for what they have done previously and what they will be doing that day. The faces may change but what a great way to connect each day you’re on shift.

* Assign volunteers to participate in pre-shift meeting in some way if only to give an inspirational or motivational thought for the day. For newly assigned volunteers to be involved in some way when everyone is together is just a nice way to feel important.

* Give any kind of report to show progress whether number of visitors or individuals assisted based on the services provided. Knowing how volunteers are making a difference by whatever metric available is important.

* Have some snacks and drinks available in the volunteer break room and invite volunteers to add goodies as they can. We noted the gamut from healthy fruit to sweet tooth homemade and bought candies and cookies.

* Take photographs of individuals during service and where possible arrange to take some group shots as a keepsake. Life can get busy as volunteers so stopping to capture these photos is a great memory maker.

* Go the extra mile and get a photo album and not only include the individual and group photos but take some of the site locations so they won’t forget their experience. These days we tend to send things electronically to one another so the tangible album with compiled photos was a great WOW ! moment.

* Include a photo guide to show the names of each individual. Some people’s names are easier to remember than others so having a coordinator make time to create a legend was a wonderful gesture.

* With permission include the contact information of all volunteers so people can stay in touch with one another. Friendships are made very quickly with other volunteers so having each other’s contact information is lovely to stay connected.

* Provide a small gift to thank volunteers that will be a memorable reminder of their experience together. When you volunteer it is choice, so receiving a thank you gift for service given is far from expected but graciously appreciated.

* Have a small celebration with all volunteers at the conclusion of the term of volunteering. One never knows when one will be back together with the same people you served with so take some time out to say farewell and give hugs and handshakes together.