Am I thanking volunteers enough ?

Question

I send "thank you" cards in the mail to thank my volunteers. I emailed one that I didn't get a chance to tell her thank you before her shift was over, and I tell every volunteer thank you every day.

I am volunteer coordinator for animal control.

Answer 1

yes you are, and besides, they are volunteers, they volunteered for the job (I assume they were not forced into it), so they shouldn't be expecting a world of gratitude (like material things, gifts).

A simple Thank you should be enough (verbally or card)

Answer 2

Volunteers like to know that their contributions are making a difference. There are some volunteers who actually *don't* like thank you cards -- they prefer to know that the organization feels their contributions are essential.

Things that make volunteers feel recognized:

-- seeing photos of volunteers in action on the web site (or on a photo sharing site, like Flickr)

-- getting an email or video thank you from the head of the board of directors or the executive director

-- a blog on the web site from the Executive Director reflecting on the difference volunteers make (NOT that they save money, however -- that's always a no no)

-- an email letting volunteers know about public events or other information and inviting them to attend

-- asking volunteers frequently for feedback about how their experience is going, what they would like to change, what new opportunities they would like to undertake, etc.

-- a letter of recommendation or reference when they are applying for paid work elsewhere

Since you work with volunteers in the USA, consider joining CYBERVPM, a discussion group for volunteer managers. It's on YahooGroups, and they have lots of discussions about basic volunteer management issues such as this.

Answer 3

I think you're fine.  Anyone who wants morethan that is in it for the wrong reasons!  A cake and punch thank you hour wouldn't be amiss, either, and should fit in with most budgets, or the employees or board could chip in for it.  maybe you could do it once a year or quarterly?  Also, your volunteers probably know you can't give more tangible proof of your gratitude!