Volunteer Appreciation

Volunteers make Nonprofit organizations go round. They're there to lend their knowledge, time, and hands – all because they love your organization! Sometimes the passion is enough, but is it always enough? There's no simple answer to this question. However, if someone who is lending their knowledge, time, and energy continuously doesn't feel appreciated, there's a chance you will lose them over time.

We asked one of our writers who works with volunteers at her organization daily to give some of her best tips to make sure volunteers are NEVER left feeling unappreciated. Here are her top 10 tips to maintaining a great volunteer relationship:

1. Before you give a volunteer an “assignment”, ask them what they like to do, and propose what you're thinking to them. It creates a space for them to feel heard and it also lets you get the chance to evaluate where your volunteer is best served.
2. Thank your volunteer after the event or project they helped with. I am personally a big fan of handwritten thank you notes. There's something so personal about them, that when a volunteer sees that I took the time out of my day to appreciate them, it makes them feel so special. If your time doesn't allow for handwritten thank you notes, an email is perfectly fine!
3. Respect your volunteer's time. Yes, we would love to have help for the event set up, during the event, and event cleanup, but that is A LOT. Some volunteers are more than happy to be with you and do whatever you need, but always, always give them an out. Volunteers are busy and we should be grateful for however much time they give us.
4. If a volunteer has a question/needs help with a task you've assigned them, make yourself available. This sort of goes with the tip above because when a volunteer is working on the task, it's likely that they're doing it in their free time. Of course, there are some boundaries that should be set, but if a volunteer is asking for help, your priority should be to help them as soon as you can.
5. Have volunteer appreciation events! Your event doesn't have to be anything big, it could be a picnic in a park with a cool giveaway. Whatever it is, take the time to plan something thoughtful. Gifts are great, but events give a social component that gifts cannot do. Other volunteers get to meet each other and form friendships.
6. Always greet your volunteer with a smile and ask how they are. A smile is a great way of showing appreciation and asking someone how they are before giving them the rundown will go miles.
7. Remain calm and collected when a volunteer is upset and taking it out on you. When you're dealing with multiple different personalities in a somewhat stressful environment, it's only natural that someone will get upset. It's not personal, and you shouldn't get upset back at your volunteer.
8. When a volunteer is speaking, listen and hear them. Volunteers are the perfect people to get feedback from. They're a new set of eyes and hands. Events, projects, and anything your organization is doing is always a chance to learn.
9. Don't bring a volunteer into office drama. Need I say more? It's unprofessional, and it could potentially leave your volunteer feeling uncomfortable and in a weird spot.
10. Be your volunteer's confidant. All of the tips above create a great space for a volunteer to feel comfortable with you and form a working relationship. There is no better feeling knowing that you can call a volunteer in a pinch, and no better feeling knowing that they, as the volunteer, are valued.

There's no better time to implement ways to show volunteers love than at the conclusion of Volunteer Appreciation Week because volunteer appreciation doesn't only have to be limited to one week. In fact.. it shouldn't! Volunteers are your organization's biggest advocates. Appreciate more.