Volunteers offer their time for all kinds of reasons, they come from all walks of life and are all ages.It is important for organisations to acknowledge the contribution and difference that volunteers make in order to keep them motivated and feel appreciated.
Here are a few suggestions to help you say ‘Thank You’ to your valuable volunteers:-
1. Remember their birthday and Christmas, post a hand written card or drop them a little note. We are all so wrapped up in the electronic age of e-mails and other communication via the internet that nowadays a hand written letter, note or card stands out from the crowd and will be noticed.
2. Initiate an annual awards ceremony within your organisation and provide certificates of appreciation to your volunteers or perhaps a small gift if possible.
3. Offer training opportunities and invite your volunteers to participate. Volunteers looking for a change of career or work experience given the opportunity would value the chance to up skill.
4. Permit volunteers to attend seminars and conferences and keep them informed of any upcoming events by adding them into any general e-mails and notices sent to staff.
5. From time to time it can be good to have a “Volunteer Appreciation Day.” This could, for example, be a lunch, dinner, barbecue or even a picnic. National Volunteering Week 2015 taking place May 11th – 17th could be the perfect opportunity to host this kind of event. Read our blog for more details on this event.
6. If you have a photograph board inside your reception which consists of staff and their job title, consider adding photographs of your volunteers too. Give them appropriate job titles; do not just add “Volunteer” as each volunteer should have a defined role within your organisation. This acknowledgment helps to make your volunteers feel a valued part of the team.
7. Let volunteers put their name to something they have helped to produce or make happen.
8. Saying thank you face to face to volunteers is very important. It is also good to offer an open door policy for volunteer to discuss with you any issues that arise if needs be, this promotes friendly and supported environment for volunteers.
9. If your volunteer sits at a computer all day one thing that can be offered as part of the position would be an eye test at the organisations expense.
10. Nominate your volunteers for any National recognition ceremonies like the Volunteer Ireland Awards. Keep informed of what is going on and who and when you can put nominees forward.
11. If your organisation has something to offer, for example a sports organisation may be able to offer free membership to their volunteers, this is a great way to say thank you.
12. Offer a small welcome pack when a volunteer attends their induction to your organisation, this could include information about the organisation, role descriptions, a t-shirt, hat or organisation pen, something to take home and keep.
13. Talk to your volunteers and match their desires with the organisations needs, give them a voice within the organisation, consider any suggestions carefully and if you initiate a suggestion that works make sure to acknowledge the value of the change and appreciation of the effects.
14. If your volunteer has been with you for a number of years and hits a milestone like 5 years reliable service for example, consider sending them some flowers or maybe even having a celebration party.
15. Celebrate the years work together by inviting your volunteers to your organisations annual party.
There are many more ways to say thank you, if your organisation has found a way that works and would like to add to this list to help others please feel free to post a comment below. 
Written by Wendy Brosnahan
