Volunteers Are the Backbone of Nonprofits—Here's How to Show Them Your Appreciation
With National Volunteer Week approaching, and events in Boston and Texas reminding us of the importance of community, it’s become even clearer that volunteers really are the backbone of nonprofit organizations.
Volunteers help with fundraising, administrative tasks, and operations, and they help spread the word about the organization's mission. Although volunteers tend to perform such duties out of the care and concern they have for the goals set forth by the organization, there are a few key strategies that can be used to make these all-important volunteers feel recognized and appreciated:
1. Shout out your volunteers
The simple things are sometimes the most respected, this is true for recognizing outstanding volunteers within an organization. This can be as simple as printing off a volunteer of the week award and hanging it on a wall and doing this every week, or being a little more formal and making a presentation in front of others.
The point is that when you take the time to publicly recognize the efforts of those volunteers who go above and beyond, they will feel proud of their accomplishments and thus work harder for your group’s goals.
2. Set aside some fun time!
Volunteer work can sometimes be cumbersome, labor-intensive, and mentally draining. This is a great reason to set aside some fun time every week or month to show appreciation. A night out for dinner, a day of bowling, a round of golf, or even a cookout in the parking lot can all show everyone that their hard work truly does matter and makes a difference.
3. Share the swag
Give your volunteers shirts, hats, jackets, and other items normally reserved for donors. Ensure everyone has at least one item they can proudly wear to show they are happy to be a volunteer. The volunteer can display their pride in their work, and your organization gets a little extra visibility in the process.
Remember: Even the smallest gesture can make volunteers feel good about themselves and their work.