A Fresh Look at Volunteer Recognition

We love our volunteers—and we want them to know it. We all know it’s important to say “thank you” and to let volunteers know they’re appreciated. And although funds may be limited, we still want the recognition to be meaningful. The good news is that many volunteers prefer informal and ongoing signs of appreciation rather than a formal, public event.

If you’re looking to upgrade your volunteer recognition, this Along the Web column by Faye C. Roberts includes ideas you can use throughout the year. Some ideas will have special appeal for specific groups such as school, youth, or church-affiliated volunteers, but most are easily adapted to broader audiences. And as Roberts explains, if you want to learn the very best ways to recognize your volunteers, “Ask them.”