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101 Ways to say

Thank YouThank Youto

Your Volunteers

WhyWhy do we worry about this so much when people tell us it

is not necessary..

We want to APPRECIATE VolunteersWe hope to RECOGNIZE VolunteersWe need to RETAIN VolunteersWe seek to MOTIVATE Volunteers

“Leaders don’t create

motivation, they unlock it. It is the

leader’s job to keep the

dream alive.”John Gardner

On Leadership

Appreciate VolunteersRecognize VolunteersRetain VolunteersMotivate Volunteers

Build Community among volunteersCelebrate work that has been

accomplished!Because it is a part of a healthy

on-going management style

We need to remember that We need to remember that quality appreciation…quality appreciation…

1) Will cost us money and time.2) Must be meaningful to

recipients!3) Cannot be totally pre-

packaged. Must be personalized.

4) Must be timely and clear!

Recognition with a light touchRecognition with a light touch

1) Name the coffee pot each month after a volunteer who has “served” well.

2) Put a survival kit (band-aid, coffee packet, pacifier, etc) together and present to particularly harried volunteers to perk them up!

3) Send anonymous, humorous cards during hectic times.

4) Leave candy kisses at volunteer stations.5) Put up posters with motivational

messages.

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5) Call each volunteer by name.6) Remember birthdays, anniversaries,

personal times of importance.7) Coffee cups with names on them.8) Give them opportunity to decorate work

space.9) Chart to show accumulated hours for

individuals and teams.10) Invited to paid staff team meetings.11) Do a profile in parish bulletin/newsletter.12) Label area to place coat, hat, etc.13) Volunteer of the week or month award.

Match the appreciation you give to person who is receiving it…

AffiliationAchievement

PowerMcClelland’s Motivation

Model

An Affiliation motivated person...

likes to be with peopleworks to make friendsdoes group projectscounts the feelings of others needs relationships

Appreciating Appreciating AffiliativesAffiliatives13) Anything done in presence of peers,

family.14) Banquets.15) Name in church bulletin.16) Photo on bulletin board.17) Personal note from supervisor.18) Opportunities for socialization on job.19) Assignment that offers opportunity for

personal interaction.20) Personal verbal greetings from

supervisor.

21) Letters to family members thanking them for sharing volunteer with church.

22) Unexpected notes on expressing thanks.23) Potlucks, picnics with coworkers and

families.24) Evaluations that measure success in

“people” terms.25) Praising them to their friends!26) Awards that have pictures of clients on them.27) Taking time to talk to them.28) Take out for coffee.29) Inclusion of them in slide show.30) Personal note from the Pastor

Matching the appreciation you give to person who is receiving it…

AffiliationAchievement

PowerMcClelland’s Motivation

Model

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Achievement MotivationAchievement Motivation

excellenceneed specific goalsworks well aloneseeks responsibilitydrivenconcrete feedbackproblem solvertangible rewards

Appreciating the AchieverAppreciating the Achiever

31) Opportunity to give in-put in goal related decisions.

32) Ability to set their own pace on project.

33) Letter of commendation for specific achievement by pastor.

34) Mail letter of commendation for specific achievement to city newspaper, etc..

35) Job assignments that allow frequent check points to measure success.

37) Name attached to specific accomplishment.38) Job assignments that offer increasing

responsibility.39) Job assignments with clearly stated goals.40) Opportunity for advancement.41) Clearly defined parameters for assignments.42) Nomination for local awards.43) Being careful not to waste their time.44) Training that allows questioning, shaping by

recipient.45) Introductions to new people in terms of

proudest accomplishments. “Meet John Jones he was responsible for resettlement of our refugee family this year!”

Matching the appreciation you give to person who is receiving it…

AffiliationAchievement

PowerPowerMcClelland’s Motivation

Model

Power MotivationPower Motivationhaving impactself starterstatusverbally fluentforceful, outspokenpublicmover & shaker

Appreciating Power PeopleAppreciating Power People46)Job assignments that permit them to

persuade others.47)Job assignments that allow them to

interact with highest authorities.48)Job assignment that allow them to

teach.49)Awards named for them that

applaud influential achievements.50)Having coffee with Pastor and/or

staff.

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51) Story in church newsletter telling of their impact on people/programs.

52) Impressive Job title.53) Note from Bishop, Diocesan staff.54) Letters of commendation noting their impact

and importance to Diocesan Newspaper, city papers, etc..

55) Job assignments that offer increased responsibility and authority.

56) Asking for suggestions on how church can achieve wider impact, recognition in community.

57) On-going program or site named after them.58) Opportunity to innovate.

Youth Youth VolunteersVolunteers

59) Documentation of training & skills developed for resume.

60) Letter of commendation to parents, grandparents, teacher, etc..

61) Letters to colleges they might be considering.

More Youth Appreciation!More Youth Appreciation!

62)Opportunities to speak to other youth and adults about involvement.

63)Possible credits for classes being taken.

64)Shortened job assignments rather than year long commitments.

65)Letter to editor of school paper.66)Letter to city/town paper.

Appreciation Appreciation Ideas for Ideas for Seniors!Seniors!

67) Transportation or at least, transportation allowances.

68) Meals at the site.69) Discount

coupons for services, food, entertainment, etc..

More Ideas for Seniors…

70)Parking spaces near entrance.71)Socialization at peak lonely times

(holidays, weekends).72)Recreation opportunities.73)Networking information to

agencies/people who might be able to provide them with assistance.

74)Listening!

Or, how about Some Churchy Churchy Ideas…

75) When it is Good Samaritan Sunday, name some of your volunteers as Good Samaritans.

76) Service Pins with the church symbol.

77) Free meal tickets for church picnic or suppers.

78) Bible inscribed to volunteer.

79) Start a Volunteer honor roll.

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80) While doing a projectmake a photo collage

that shows the people who worked in it, it’s stages of

development, and its completion and presentation. With just a little more work this can also be turned into a Power Point Demonstration for use on Volunteer Recruitment Sunday to tell a story about the power of volunteers in your parish!

81) Ask three staff members to go up to the volunteer and say, “______ (name of supervisor) asked me to thank you for _________. Good job!”

82)Develop a Behind the Scenesaward, specifically for those whose actions are not usually in the limelight.

Coupons and/or Gift Coupons and/or Gift Certificates you can give..Certificates you can give..

83) Subscription to magazine related to their interest.

84) Free babysitting, so couple can have a night off.

85) Bookstore.86) Tickets to theater.87) Car wash/gasoline88) Couple: Marriage Encounter Weekend.89) Local Coffee shop.

Gifts and TrinketsGifts and Trinkets90) Mugs with design special for volunteer

thank you and/or parish logo. $5.50 -$10.00 each. For something really unusual have printing reappear when cup is filled!

91) Keychains. $1.25 - $2.95 each92) T-Shirts. $7.79 and up93) Refrigerator Magnets. Price varies

according to quantity.94) Pencils or pens with Thank You message

on them. Price depends on quantity95) Post-it pads! My personal favorite.

Sources Sources for Giftsfor Gifts

www.pointsoflight.orgwww.greateventspublishing.comwww.streff.com A Milwaukee based incentive and printing company.www.volunteergifts.comwww.thankscompany.comwww.volunteersales.com

Some Ideas on Special Clothing Some Ideas on Special Clothing Items, Items, i.e. Ti.e. T--shirts, sweaters, hats..shirts, sweaters, hats..96) Make an eye-catching design to feature the

project they participated in and/or feature parish logo, placed prominently on item.

97) Opt for more subtle placement by sewing a tag with parish name and logo onto a sleeve or cuff.

98) Create a special label to appear inside the garment.

99) Place a crest with parish logo on pocket of shirt, using a color slightly darker than that of the garment.

100)For special volunteers purchase a high quality brand name item with your parish name and present with a special card conveying your sincere appreciation for all their work.

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The MOST IMPORTANTThe MOST IMPORTANTAffirmation you can do is…Affirmation you can do is…

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SMILE!The people we seek to recognize are our most priceless resource and

therefore deserve our most creative and sensitive

thinking!