If You Missed Volunteer Recognition Day

Were you one of those managers who missed Volunteer Recognition Day this year? Well, it's past, but that doesn't mean you have to wait until next year. Show your volunteers how much they are appreciated at other times, too. My motto is to take every excuse in the book for Volunteer Recognition.

So what are you going to do now? At Appreciate Volunteers, we have some other ideas for you. In fact, that's what the whole site is about. Ways to show your appreciation.

If your budget allows, plan a special event to recognize all your volunteers, but especially those who have been with you for a time. If you can pick the week where your longest service volunteer celebrates a milestone, then you can honor that person and recognize the time or service hours of each volunteer in turn.

Remember to include the newest volunteers. Welcome them into your organization or group. It's especially helpful and encouraging to them to see the others who have been with you for a nice length of time.

If your budget doesn't allow for a big event, think about smaller events. Bringing lunch in for your volunteers on special days is a less expensive alternative. You can still honor milestones and welcome new volunteers.

Even on the smallest budget, simple things that sending a thank you card or note on a volunteer's anniversary with your group can mean so much. Bringing some home baked cookies in with you to share with the volunteers is very inexpensive.

You may have missed Volunteer Recognition Day this year, but put it on your calendar for next year. Then do other things to appreciate your volunteers during the rest of the year.

Simple Ways to Express Volunteer Appreciation

Large events and large gifts are not always necessary for volunteer appreciation. Sometimes the budget just doesn't all for much. But we still want show our thanks in some special way.

Simple ways tend to be the best for volunteer recognition on a budget. Everybody enjoys food while at work or taking a break from the work. So think food treats. When I can get around to baking, I always make extras to take into work for the volunteers. Especially cookies, but I've brought in cupcakes, fresh bread pieces with a couple of spreads to go on top, even chips and dip. Whatever treat you pick will be appreciated by your volunteers.

This doesn't need to elaborate nor does it need to be homemade. You might just enjoy stopping by the grocery store on your way into work and picking up a few food items. Think a little ahead for this and bring along some proper serving dishes. A plate for cookies or cupcakes, a bowl for chips, that sort of thing.

Also, think a head and prepare a little tent sign that you can stand alongside the plate of goodies. The sign can say something simple as well. Thanks to all our volunteers works just great.

At Appreciate Volunteers are always busy sharing our ideas, plans and tips for ways to show recognize and thank the many hard-working people who make our organization run. Stop by and get ideas for your own group, or share with us some of the successful things you've done.