We love volunteers. Most events would never even come together without a talented set of dedicated volunteers. But, just like talented employees, volunteers can get burnt out and feel under-appreciated if not effectively recognized. The people at the HandsOn Network came up with 6 great ways to keep volunteers coming back day after day, year after year.

1. First, be sure to not only recognize your volunteers privately, but also publicly. Thank you cards, handshakes or even an old-fashioned hug can make all the difference in the world.

2. Next, use creative gifts or treasures. The end result doesn’t have to break the bank, but a well-thought out useful gift brings out the warm and fuzzy feelings.

3. Let them grow. It can be difficult if you assume that a volunteer wants to always be the head of a certain committee. By taking the time to talk with your volunteers and get to know their strengths and their goals, you might be surprised at new ways to utilize their talents.

4. Food. You can never go wrong with providing snacks, drinks or full blown meals for your volunteers. It’ll not only keep the natives from getting restless, but it’ll refuel their desire to help you out!

5. Don’t forget to give them a break once in awhile. Remember that your helpers are volunteering their precious time to help you out. Be sure to reward them by letting them off the hook occasionally or by rotating people to new stations.

6. And finally, just say thank you. It’s amazing what power those two little words can hold. More often than not, that’s all they want to hear – that you truly appreciate the hard work they’ve put in.

Wrangling volunteers can sometimes be a daunting task, but keep in mind that the more recognition you provide, the happier your volunteers will stay, and the better return you will get from their services.

If you’re in need of a bigger gesture of thanks, but don’t know where to start, we can help.