Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Create account
Factsheets
1 minute read

Volunteer Reward and Recognition

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

Introduction

Volunteers play a crucial role in many organisations, and understanding what motivates them can help in retaining their valuable contributions. This document explores the key factors that drive volunteer motivation and offers practical ways to show appreciation.

Summary

This document highlights the importance of valuing and appreciating volunteers. It offers practical strategies for volunteer organisations to enhance motivation and retention, such as saying thank you, including volunteers in decision-making, and offering training sessions. Implementing these strategies can lead to a more engaged and committed volunteer workforce.

Benefits for Volunteer Involving Organisations

This resource is beneficial for volunteer organisations and management practitioners as it provides insights into effective volunteer appreciation strategies. By implementing these strategies, organisations can enhance volunteer satisfaction and retention.

Practical Applications

Volunteers are motivated by feeling valued, respected, and appreciated. They also seek opportunities for personal and professional growth. Rather than flashy displays, volunteers prefer meaningful rewards and recognition. Volunteer organisations can apply these insights by:

  • Saying thank you

  • Holding team meetings

  • Including volunteers in decision-making

  • Using newsletters and social media stories

  • Offering training sessions, gift cards, and certificates

  • Organising events/functions

  • Appointing dedicated volunteer coordinators

Downloads and sources

Visit source (opens in new tab)

More about the author

Volunteering Queensland has for 41 years been the state’s peak body for advancing and promoting volunteering. It represents over 300 member volunteer involving organisations and support thousands more through a wider network, encompassing hundreds of thousands of volunteers, who contribute their time, money, and skills to the benefit of all Queenslanders.
reception@volunteeringqld.org.au 07 3002 7600
Visit website (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Resources

Foundations of Volunteer Management: Work Legally and Ethically

This unit explores Australia’s legal system and ethical frameworks, equipping you to apply laws, manage ethical dilemmas, and uphold integrity at work. Aligned with CHCLEG001, it builds practical skills for legal compliance and ethical decision-making.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, National Volunteer Management Activity Project
Research and Reports

Volunteering and psychological contract

This document dives into the concept of volunteer management, emphasising the importance of the unspoken agreement between volunteers and organisations – the psychological contract.
1 minute read
M. Hager, K. Renfro
General
Information

Volunteer Recognition

This article and guide highlights the importance of recognising volunteers and provides suggestions of various methods to show your appreciation.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
General
INVOLVE
Tech

INVOLVE

Volunteer management a headache? INVOLVE simplifies everything! Automate tasks, gain instant insights, schedule visually, track hours effortlessly, and collaborate seamlessly. Built in Australia, your data's safe. Focus on your purpose, not admin.
Volunteer database Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Event management
MyPass
Tech

MyPass

MyPass is volunteer onboarding and compliance management software centred around a digital Skills Passport, designed to help volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) reduce their risk and cost of operations.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
Volaby
Tech

Volaby

Volaby is an end-to-end volunteer and people management platform, enabling organisations to do more with less! Built from the collective voice of our volunteer managers using the platform, Volaby helps you automate and simplify the volunteer and manager experience to save time and scale impact.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
scheduled

2026 National Volunteering Conference

Under the theme Innovation and Impact: Reimagining Volunteering, the conference will bring us together to address high-priority issues and explore bold, practical solutions that support the National Strategy for Volunteering.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
A$227.27
scheduled

Creating an Impact: Volunteering for a Cause

This webinar explores how volunteering can create meaningful social impact. Learn how to turn your interests into action, connect with causes you care about, and understand the role volunteers play in driving positive change in communities.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness

This webinar explores cultural sensitivity and awareness, including unconscious bias and its impact. Learn how to recognise bias, improve communication and build inclusive practices when working with diverse communities.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free