Skip to main content

What are you looking for?

Enter keywords to search across resources, guides, training, tools, and more.

Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Create account
Articles & Reports
1 minute read

Rethinking Recognition

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Introduction

This article explores how to recognise volunteers in a way that truly motivates them. It argues that traditional methods like awards ceremonies are outdated, and that volunteers value a more personal approach.

Summary

  • Some top tips for recognising your volunteers are as follows:

  • Focus on informal, ongoing recognition rather than grand events.

  • A simple thank you for a job well done can make a big difference.

  • Help volunteers see the difference their work is making.

  • Provide opportunities for volunteers to learn new skills.

  • Offer ways for volunteers to get involved that fit their busy schedules.

  • Treat volunteers as part of the team and listen to their ideas.

Benefits to volunteer managers and their organisations

Keeping volunteers happy is vital for any organisation that relies on their help. By understanding what volunteers value, organisations can create a more positive experience and encourage them to stay involved.

How to Use This Resource

Volunteer organisations and managers can use this article to brainstorm new ways to recognise their volunteers. By implementing these tips, they can create a more rewarding volunteer experience.

Downloads and sources

Visit source

More about the author

Engage (formerly e-Volunteerism) is written for volunteer engagement leaders around the world who want to be informed and challenged about volunteering trends and issues. It is published by the Susan J. Ellis Foundation.
Visit website

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

More like this

Information

Recruiting Volunteers

A guide on recruitment, including information on selection, screening, and types of recruitment.
1 minute read
Volunteering Victoria
General
VIKTOR
Tech

VIKTOR

VIKTOR is a volunteer recruitment system designed to run a referral service for volunteers. It allows you to create and advertise volunteer roles, enter volunteers and match them to roles offered by your members.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
Be Collective
Tech

Be Collective

A volunteer management & community engagement platform. Be Collective is all about empowering volunteering and the organisations supporting volunteering to build stronger, more sustainable networks for doing good.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

SEEK Volunteer helps connect people to volunteering opportunities that enrich their communities, lives and careers.
Recruitment
scheduled

Workshop: Applying the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Join us on the Wednesday 3 December 2025 for a workshop tailored for Volunteer Managers, Coordinators, and Leaders. This workshop, facilitated by Volunteering Tasmania, focuses on the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement and how you can apply them in your Volunteer Involving Organisation.
Volunteering Tasmania
–
Free
scheduled

Exiting and Transitioning Volunteers 'It's not always as simple as it seems'

This workshop will explore the different reasons and circumstances that may lead to a volunteer transitioning out of their role. Work through different scenarios to build your understanding of this space and leave with practical tools, resources and a plan for managing this moving forwards.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free
scheduled

Managing Challenging Conversations with Volunteers

This session provides a chance to share, discuss and explore different approaches to challenging conversations with volunteers, volunteers managers/staff and community. Leave with tools and practical steps/ideas to plan, facilitate and support challenging conversations.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free