The Army is no stranger to the volunteer workforce. At some point in your Army “career” you either volunteer or get “volun-told,” as I like to call it, to do something. But, what if you’re the leader of volunteers? What can you do to make sure they feel appreciated? What can you do to recognize their contributions? Here are 52 fabulously fun and creative ways to recognize your volunteers all year long. They’re so easy to do and the rewards are two-fold. You’ll have more productive and happier volunteers just because you took the time to say “thanks.”

Week 1: Give your volunteers a "Round of Applause." Cut a piece of paper into a circle with a photo of people cheering that lists to, from, why, and the date. To say thanks to anyone give them a “round.”  After a person collects three of them, they turn them in for a prize.

Week 2: Provide your volunteers with a babysitter certificate or free child care.

Week 3: Make a volunteer recognition board to display somewhere publicly that your team (and others) can all see it. As each person makes a contribution give them an “Atta-Boy” or “Atta-Girl” via the board.

Week 4: Have a team meeting and brainstorm together.

Week 5: Send a Valentine’s Day card using “love” as a theme. (i.e., I love the work you’ve done).

Week 6: Challenge your team to fill openings by finding new members for your organization. People who are passionate about what they do want their friends to be a part of it,too.

Week 7: Start a volunteer of the month program.

Week 8: Give a mini-rake with a note telling your volunteer, “Thanks for your help raking in the donations.”

Week 9: Have a team t-shirt made for volutneers to wear. You could even have them design it.

Week 10: Invite your volutneers to help you with policy formation, group rules and regulations. Have each of them weigh in on your group’s mission statement. 

Week 11: Give your volunteers a clover and tell them, “We’re lucky to have you on our team.”

Week 12: Give each member of your team a flower bulb and say, “You have blossomed.”

Week 13: Buy each of your team members a soda.

Week 14: Give a mini box of Frosted Flakes cereal with a note that says “You’re Grrrreat!”

Week 15: Write each of your team members a heart-felt thank you note.

Week 16: Give a mirror and say, “You’re looking at the world’s best volunteer.”

Week 17: Ask your volutneers what you can do for them.

Week 18: Send volunteers an e-mail pointing out what you appreciate about them specifically.

Week 19: Send your team resources for training and development specific to your mission.

Week 20: Award a plaque to key volunteers.

Week 21: Give your volunteers additional responsibilities (provided this is a good thing).

Week 22: Nominate your volunteers for Installation Volunteer Awards.

Week 23: Give each volunteer one hour of your time one-on-one for mentoring.
 
Week 24: Have an ice cream social.

Week 25: Give a box of Fourth of July sparklers with a note saying, “Your talents just sparkle.”

Week 26: Have a special guest come in and do a seminar or informal talk on motivation or other pertinent topics to your cause.

Week 27: Give each volunteer a pair of scissors with a note that reads, “You’re a cut above the rest.”

Week 28: Make sure your volutneers understand your open door policy and be a real person they can talk to.

Week 29: Make a team or organizational magnet and give one to each volunteer for their fridge.

Week 30: Have a volunteer picnic in the park.

Week 31: Surprise your group with coffee and cake.

Week 32: Make a huge banner full of recognition and place it in a highly visible area.

Week 33: Send a stack of play money and say “Spread the wealth of our organization.”

Week 34: Have a contest and give out fabulous prizes!

Week 35: Have a team meeting and brainstorm together! (yes, I’ve said this before)

Week 36: Praise your volunteers publicly.

Week 37: Make it a point to compliment your team on something they did this week.

Week 38: Send a yo-yo with the note “Thanks for sharing the ups and downs!”

Week 39: Write a letter of recommendation for your team members.

Week 40: Take your volunteers to the movies – or give them gift certificates with popcorn.

Week 41: Give your volunteers a fishing lure with the note “You’re a great catch!”

Week 42: Have an informal get together with your team.

Week 43: Submit a story about your volutneers to the local newspaper. 

Week 44: Have a team softball game or other athletic challenge.

Week 45: Create a team scrapbook. Ask for everyone’s input.

Week 46: Give a set of chopsticks with the note “Thanks for learning to use a new tool.”

Week 47: Remind your volunteers how their work fits into the overall mission of your organization. Paint the whole picture of how their efforts are propelling that mission forward.

Week 48: Send a box of Christmas lights with the note “You light up our organization!”

Week 49: Have a “Secret Santa” party.

Week 50: Enlist your “seasoned” volunteers to train new volunteers.

Week 51: Give out service pins and certificates.

Week 52: Give a bunch of goodies wrapped up in a bandana with a note saying “This wraps up another great year – Thanks!”

Additional bookshelf resources for your “volunteer” library:

"Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them" (Paperback) by Helen Little

"1001 Ways to Reward Employees" (Paperback) by Bob Nelson Ph.D.