21 Last-minute Ways to Show Volunteers Appreciation for National Volunteer Week 2021
National Volunteer Week 2021 is sneaking up fast (April 18-24 in the US and Canada), and if you think you have missed out on the opportunity to recognize your volunteers this year, have no fear!
There is still time to pull something together!
(Note: If your local National Volunteer Week falls on another week of the year, save this post and set a date on your calendar to review it when you are planning your activities. It will be a terrific way to get a quick jump-start on success!)
We get it, there is A LOT going on in our communities these days. It is a struggle to get your must-complete tasks done as it is, and now you need to think about adding more to your plate?
However, for National Volunteer Week 2021 there is nothing saying you need to plan a formal get-together to recognize your volunteers.
Try one (or a combination) of these simple, and mostly free or low-cost, ideas and start your planning this week!
National Volunteer Week Gifts
For National Volunteer Week 2021, you don’t need a big budget (or blow the one you do have) to purchase your volunteers a meaningful gift. There are plenty of free and low-cost ideas that you can give your volunteers to communicate that you are thinking of them.
Free gifts
#1 Thank You Card – When is the last time you received an actual card in the mail from a person? I make it a point to send cards to all my nieces and nephews (and I have 12) for every holiday, just because I know how special it can make someone feel! It takes time, effort, and planning, and for something that costs the rate of a postage stamp, leaves people feeling more wonderful than if you just gifted them with an expensive tchotchke they will likely never use. Learn more about writing the perfect volunteer thank you letter.
#2 Fun-loving Awards – We could all use some extra laughs these days, so consider handing out funny volunteer awards in place of (or in addition to) formal certificates. Need some inspiration? Check out this article.
#3 Creative Coupons – Have you ever received a book of coupons from someone in your life? You know the ones: good for one back scratch, good for one picnic lunch, good for one movie night, etc. Create a version of these for your volunteers!
#4 Recommended Reading – Know that your volunteers are a bunch of bookworms? Curate a list of recommended books for them to read over the next year. Include a good mix of fiction and nonfiction, across multiple genres to ensure something peaks everyone’s interest. Better yet, try to tie the theme of your books into the mission of your organization! Can’t afford to buy everyone a book? Raffle off just a few. Folks like a good contest, now and again.
Low-cost gifts
#5 Tasty Treat Gift Card – If you have a little bit of a budget think about giving a gift card to a local coffee shop or bakery. Just $5 is enough for your volunteers to treat themselves to something special, without you breaking the bank
#6 Kudos Book – Do your staff and clients have amazing things to say about your volunteers? Ask them to write any comments or quotes about volunteers at your organization, then, turn them into a book. You can create an eBook by turning all the quotes you receive into a PDF, or work with your marketing department to ask if they can help you create a booklet. You can also create a booklet online.
#7 Painted Rocks – This idea comes from a member of our VolunteerPro Insiders group. She brought in teen volunteers and had them flex their creative muscles, painting “Volunteers Rock” on you guessed it, rocks, and then she delivered them to her volunteers along with a thank you note.
#8 Yard Art – Work with a local sign company, or order online, and create yard signs you can pass out to your volunteers that say something along the lines of “A great [your organization’s name] volunteer lives here”
#9 Get Crafty – Don’t forget the power of a simple Pinterest search! There are many cute, crafty gifts you can create that will show your volunteers you appreciate their time, talent, and commit-mint to your organization (see what I did there!?).
Recognition Ideas for National Volunteer Week 2021
Some people love seeing their name in bright lights! So, think of some ways you can shout your volunteers’ contributions from the rooftops.
#10 Social Celebration – Collaborate with your organizations marketing team to plan a social media campaign for National Volunteer Week. Post pictures of your volunteers with a quote on why you are so thankful for them. Go live or film a video where you call out each volunteer by name and give them each a complement/word of thanks. Post some quotes your volunteers will feel inspired by.
#11 Phone-a-thon – Host a Thank-a-Thon. Organize some staff, board members, and/or clients to call your volunteers to say a simple thank you for your service. While they will likely be leaving a lot of voicemails, that voicemail will leave a smile on that volunteers face and bring up warm, fuzzy feelings for your organization.
#12 Revisit Your History – Does your organization have a rich history of working with volunteers? Write a blog or create a presentation of the history of volunteers at your organization. Even if you have only been in existence for a few years, it’s great to see where you started and how much you have grown. You can include pictures, videos, and written testimonials from volunteers. Check out this write up by Women’s College Hospital Foundation for some inspiration
#13 Special Edition – Does your organization put out a newsletter to its audience? Work with your marketing team to feature your volunteers in the next newsletter or ask if it’s possible to add a special volunteer appreciation addition that is dedicated solely to volunteer efforts and stories.
#14 Volunteer Features – Put your volunteers in the spotlight! Interview them on video and ask them two questions: what inspired them to volunteer and why they choose to volunteer with your organization. Post the final product for the world to see!
Volunteer Appreciation Events
If you just can’t get away from hosting an event for your volunteers this National Volunteer Week, here are some ideas:
Formal Events
#15 Virtual Gathering – Formal events typically need more planning and coordination, but in this time of Virtual events, you may have time to pull together a virtual awards banquet. Read this post for some tips on hosting an online volunteer appreciation event.
#16 Take It Outside – Looking for something new and refreshing? Consider hosting a drive-in or drive-through event. Do you have access to a large parking lot or field? Host a drive-in movie night. Open the night by bringing your volunteers on stage (but still socially distanced) to receive their awards. If that’s still a little too close for comfort or you don’t have the space available to make it safe, consider a drive-through event. Take some inspiration from Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County and RSVP of Lake County.
Informal Events
#17 Live Stream – Don’t have time or the budget to plan a formal event? Host a Facebook live awards banquet and people can join as they are available or watch later. You can also post the final video or stream to YouTube at the same time for those who don’t have Facebook accounts.
#18 Day Out – If there are local attractions where distancing is possible, consider hosting for a fun day or night out for your volunteers. Think of local parks or hiking trails, zoos, museums, sporting events, etc.
#19 Car Wash – Host a car wash in your organization’s parking lot and invite your volunteers for a free wash. Recruit some staff to help (how great would it be to see your ED out there washing cars?!). With the weather warming up, I think you’d get a lot of takers! This would be a special treat for volunteers who are emerging from a long winter of driving on salt-treated roads.
Demonstrate Volunteer Impact
Something every volunteer wants to know is what kind of impact their contribution has had on the organization as a whole and individual clients. Show them this National Volunteer Week just how much they mean to you and your organization with these ideas:
#20 Share Stories – People love to see and hear good stories, and now more than ever we need all we can get! Soo, create and send your volunteers, staff, donors, clients, and other stakeholders a Volunteer Impact Portfolio. Your volunteers will feel appreciated and everyone else will start to understand the immense value volunteers bring to your organization! Read more about how to compile a portfolio here.
#21 Share Testimonials – Film testimonials from clients and staff on what has changed in their lives due to volunteer involvement. Put them all together and send it to your volunteers so they can see just how appreciated they are! Then, post it on all your social media networks and send it in your newsletter for the rest of the world to see.
Now … Go Crush Your National Volunteer Week 2021 Activity or Event!
After reading this article you will know everything you need to know about creating a last-minute, free or low-cost, meaningful event that celebrates your organization’s volunteers this National Volunteer Week.
Nonprofits can’t do their good work without volunteers, and now more than ever it’s necessary that we recognize their time, talents, and contributions with authentic ways to celebrate service.
