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101 Ways to Recognise Your Volunteers

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This resource provides a wide range of ideas to help organisations recognise and value the contributions of their volunteers. The list includes simple, low?cost and formal recognition ideas that can be adapted to suit different volunteers, roles and organisational contexts.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • recognise volunteers contribution
  • strengthen retention and engagement with volunteers
  • support positive volunteer experiences through effective recognition.

How to apply this resource

Use these ideas to design or refresh volunteer recognition practices and tailor recognition to what motivates your volunteers.

Downloads and sources

More about the author

Volunteering Australia is the national peak body for volunteering, working to advance volunteering in the Australian community. Their vision is to promote strong, connected communities through volunteering, and their mission is to lead, strengthen, promote and celebrate volunteering in Australia.

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