volunteer recognition from a to z

Volunteer Recognition

From A‐Z

A FREE VolunteerSpot eBook

Creative, inspirational, and manageable ideas for recognizing volunteers

Ways to say thanks without breaking the bank!

Inside this eBook:

© 2011, VolunteerSpot DOING GOOD Just Got Easier!Copyright holder is licensing this under the Creative Commons License, Attribution 2.5.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Please feel free to post this ebook on your blog or email it to whomever you believe would

benefit from reading it. THANK YOU!

~ Team VolunteerSpot

VolunteerSpot Philosophy

At VolunteerSpot, we believe that volunteers should be rewarded for stepping forward and sharing their time and talents with those in need. All too often, volunteering means putting up with a certain amount of hassle or frustration – whether that is late night emails, reply-all messages, reminder phone calls, or searching for a parking space. Our sponsors enable us to provide FREE tools that simplify volunteering, powering your good work in schools and clubs, in your congregation and neighborhoods. We can’t find you a parking space, but with VolunteerSpot, DOING GOOD just got easier!

It’s Easy to Say Thanks!People volunteer because they want to help others and make a difference. Itgoes without saying, people always appreciate recognition for their services.Unfortunately, many organizations can’t afford the type of gratitude they feeltheir volunteers deserve. We have provided some creative ways to recognizevolunteers for little or no cost. VolunteerSpot helps coordinate these eventswith our free, easy to use online scheduler and signup sheets.

This e‐book includes freshideas from A‐Z on how to say“THANKS!” to volunteers whohelp your organization dogood! We’ll also provide tipsfor using VolunteerSpot’s freeonline tool to organize yourrecognition event.

Volunteer Recognition A to Z / VolunteerSpot , DOING GOOD just got easier!

http://www.volunteerspot.com/


AA Simple Note With aSmall Gift Goes a Long WayCandle: "No one can hold a candle to you."Light Bulb Craft Card: "You light the way ‐‐

thanks for your glowing enthusiasm!"Permanent Marker: “Thanks for your lasting

and permanent contribution!" Lucky Charms Cereal: "We're very LUCKY to

have you!"


Gold Chocolate Coins: "Volunteers are worth their weight in gold" Chocolate Mints/Peppermint Patties: "Your service is worth a mint to us!"Ruler/Tape Measure: "It's easy to measure the difference you make ‐‐

you're amazing!“Group's Logo Hat: "Our hats are off to you! Thanks for all you do!" Shirt: "We know you'd give the shirt off your back... so here's an extra one

for the next time you give your all." Plant: "We grow luckier every day you're with us.“


B, CBars of Chocolate: Flat chocolate bars work best with personalized candy wrappers. You can make and print one off of your computer, printer, plain paper, tape and scissors. Use your logo and/or note/quote ( i.e. "thank you for your contributions”) Cut out the wrappers and use tape to hold it in place. Give them out as individual recognitions, or at group events. You can also order through various on‐line companies.

Customized Cookbooks: Collect recipes from each volunteer, a personal story about the recipe, if there is one, and put them together into a booklet. Hand them out as gifts at the next recognition event!

Contests: Enter your super‐star volunteers into local or national volunteer recognition contests.



D, EDigital Photos: Designate someone to take photos of volunteers “doing good” at various events and functions throughout the year. Print a digital photo of each volunteer inside a card and write a hand written personal note. What a great way to say thanks in

a very personal way!

Employer Thanks: Send a thank you note to the volunteer’s employer

for sharing such a treasured resource.

Everyone Wins: Ask local merchants join you in recognizing volunteers by offering a gift card or special discount on their services or products. Include restaurants, boutique clothing stores, greeting card/gift shops, and gas stations. Design a "Volunteer Appreciation Card", listing the merchants name on the back. It’s a "win‐win" for the community, and a good marketing tool for the shop owners.



VolunteerSpot’s free, online scheduler makes it easy to get the help you need during your recognition events. One‐click sign‐ups and automated confirmations and reminders help

everyone keep their commitments.

Save Time! Plan Your Recognition Events with VolunteerSpot!



F, G, H

Goodie Bags: At your next recognition event, goodie bags (decorated lunch bags can work, too!) and fill with treats, teas, and a seed packets. Add a hand‐written note, and hand out to the volunteers.

Holiday Tree: Take photos of each volunteer. Glue the photos to pieces of 3” x 6” card stock paper, punch holes at the top for string and hang them around the office holiday tree. Display the tree at an appreciation event, or any other visible location.

Food: Nothing says “THANKS!” like some home‐cooked food! Organize a pot‐luck luncheon to thank your volunteers. Invite every on in the group to join in, as well as members of the community who may have benefited from the volunteers’ time, to come together and express their thanks publicly!



I, J, KInspirational Cards: Rummage through your arts and crafts table for all types of colorful paper, stamps, extra ink and fun scissors. Use the scissors to create a decorative border, stamps for décor and send a special message ("Keep smiling'" or “We wouldn’t be able to make it without you") Volunteers love the personalized touch.

Jazzed Up Placemats: Take random photos of your volunteers doing their various volunteer work. Scan/print some of the photos, attach them to legal paper and laminate to make "placemats". Use the placemats as a surprise during a recognition event.

Kids Give Thanks: Ask the children to paint terra‐cotta pots. On the rim, with gold paint, write "Thank you for helping us grow!" Place a packet of flower seeds and a certificate inside the pots. Have the children present the pots to those special volunteers.

Ask local businesses to donate

items such as cards or terra cotta

pots in exchange

for free advertising

and promotion!



L, M, N, OLife Savers: Hand out rolls of Lifesavers candy with a mailing label stuck to it that read "Thanks for being a lifesaver!”

Multi‐purpose Tote Bags: Purchase neutral colored tote bags or ask for donations from your local craft store. Have students decorate the bags and add a “thank you” message.

Night on the Red Carpet: Award your volunteers with an "Oscar" for their hard work. Make the award using a votive candle turned upside down with a pom‐pom for the head and googly eyes. Use pipe cleaners for arms.

Oatmeal Cookies: Just a simple gesture like providing cookies or other snacks will make volunteers feel appreciated. A bowl of fruit or other healthy alternatives are also a good idea.



P, Q, R

Quotes: Give each volunteer a framed quote relating to volunteerism. They can display it on their desk or hang it on the wall. Every time they look at it, they can reflect on the service they have been providing.

Recharge Zone: Offer facials, manicures, massages, or golf lessons (on a small putting green), bring in a big comfy chair for foot baths, set aside one room for meditation and some spiritual readings complete with incense to volunteers. Have lots of fluffy towels, relaxing music and flowers. Your local nail salon, sporting goods store, chiropractor, massage therapist or spa will be thrilled to participate in exchange for some advertising.

Photo Album:When a long‐term volunteer decides to retire, put together a photo album of projects they’ve worked on and people they’ve worked with. Give everyone cut‐out paper stars to write farewell comments, and place them throughout the album.



S, T, USpecial Note of Thanks: If your volunteers track their hours, attach a note of thanks to their timesheets once in awhile, from the staff or from those who receive the volunteer’s services.

Thanks You Scrolls: Short on cash? Ask staff members to provide quotes about the value of volunteers in their areas. Print the quotes, roll up the paper, and tie them with a ribbon to make them look decorative.

Unique Roots Vase: An inexpensive and personal gift can come from the local dollar store. Present a large vase full of water with colorful rocks at the bottom and a live plant at the top. Use the bottom of a clear plastic cup to hold the plant from falling down into the water. Add a note; “Thank you for helping us establish our roots.”


A little bit of recognition goes a long way!

http://www.volunteerspot.com/pto/

VVolunteers Make a World of Difference: Borrow a few globes for decoration and create paper banners with the above message printed on them to decorate walls.

Find world maps at a local book store to use as table decorations

Ask volunteers to come to the event dressed in outfits that represent their cultural heritage.

Use VolunteerSpot to organize a pot luck event, emphasizing ethnic foods from around the world.



W

• Paper Clips: Paper clips have many uses, just like each volunteer has many talents.

• Rubber Bands: Rubber bands represent the flexibility that all volunteers need to have. You can adapt to any different situation. As volunteers, you can also stretch your own abilities to have new opportunities.

• Band Aids: Band aids help others and are sensitive to others feelings, just as volunteers have to be keyed‐in to the feelings of those they work with.

• Balloon: This balloon expands and grows as you learn from others when you volunteer.

• Heart Sticker: This heart represents the ability to reach out to others. You care about others too.


We Appreciate You! Collect the following items, along with the “instructions”, in zippered bags, and present to volunteers as goodie bags at your next recognition event.


X, YExcellent Bookmarks and Posters: Use children's drawings to make a bookmark. Laminate it and include a message on the back. Ask children to create hand‐drawn "Thank You Posters" using poster board, crayons, markers, paints, etc.

You will be missed! When a volunteers resigns their position for one reason or another, recognize them with a care package. Wrap some items in a reusable plastic container. Tailor the items to the journey the volunteer will be pursuing. For example, if someone is moving to a new city, include a small clay pot and forget‐me‐not seeds to plant in their new home, a wooden spoon to help make nutritious meals, a scented candle to light the way in their new path. The container itself can be used to carry valuables in from one home to another. Write small notes on each gift to explain the meaning behind each one.



ZZippy Notes:Bags of mixed nuts: "We would go 'nuts' without you!” Mint: “Each volunteer is worth a mint. You are very special and really make a difference.”Lifesavers: Send a note to the volunteers’ family and/or their boss: “Your loved one/employee makes a special contribution to our organization. He/she is a lifesaver!”Hershey Kiss: “A big thank‐you from the many people whose lives you have touched over the years.”A safety pin: “To remind you that you are bright, sharp and indispensable!”

With a few simple clicks, VolunteerSpot can help you organize your next volunteer recognition event –and it’s free!

Just log on to www.Volunteerspot.com to get started!




http://www.Volunteerspot.com

Helping parents, teachers and volunteer leaders coordinate activities and events simply and easily all year round!

• Soccer Snacks

• Scout Campouts

• Walk‐a‐Thons & Fun Runs

• Swim Meets

• Sports Tournaments

• Vacation Bible School

• Girl Scout Cookie Booths

• Neighborhood Clean ups

• Coat, food and toy drives

and more . . .

Simplify ALL Parent Volunteering

Class Parent Volunteer Recognition A to Z / VolunteerSpot , DOING GOOD just got easier!


Click here for Sample Class Parent Letters: www.budurl.com/BTSSampleLetters

See our other free eBooks with ideas andbest‐practices for:

• School Carnivals

• Teacher Gifts

• Family‐Friendly Volunteering

• Fundraising with Kids

• Bake Sales

• Talent Shows

and more . . . www.VolunteerSpot.com/ebooks

Additional Resources

Class Parent Volunteer Recognition A to Z / VolunteerSpot , DOING GOOD just got easier!

http://www.volunteerspot.com/ebooks


http://www.budurl.com/BTSSampleLetters

Thank You!

Thank you for downloading this FREE eBook from VolunteerSpot.

We take the hassle out of volunteering and make it point-and-click simple to schedule all your volunteer activities with our

FREE, powerful, real time calendar sign up tool.

© 2011 VolunteerSpot, DOING GOOD Just Got Easier!Copyright holder is licensing this under the Creative Commons License, Attribution 2.5.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

We love to hear what you have to say! If you:

Liked this eBook

Shared this eBook with a friend

Used some of the ideas in this eBook, or came up with some of your own

Love volunteering

Want to be more involved with your kids’ school

Want your kids to be involved with sharing, caring, and benefiting others

…And much more!

Be sure to visit our blog to post your comments and read what other volunteers have to say!http://blog.volunteerspot.com


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