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

Guides

Volunteer role descriptions

Guide outlining how to create clear and effective volunteer role descriptions.
1 minute read
Volunteer Scotland
General
Information

Including volunteering in your CV

Guidance for volunteers on how to include volunteering experience in a CV or résumé to demonstrate skills and experience.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
General
Resources

Organisation and Management Structures

This guide explains organisational structures, including levels of authority, boards, CEOs, and volunteer leadership.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
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
VIKTOR Lite
Tech

VIKTOR Lite

VIKTOR Lite enables volunteer involving organisations to recruit volunteers via a range of websites run by local governments, state peaks, local volunteer resource centres, Volunteering Australia and SEEK Volunteer.
Volunteer database Recruitment Onboarding / training Reporting
Better Impact
Tech

Better Impact

Better Impact offers a comprehensive software solution for volunteer program management, to simplify administrative tasks and enhance volunteer engagement across every stage of the volunteer lifecycle.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Social media Donations
scheduled

Responding to Social Isolation and Loneliness webinar

Responding to Social Isolation and Loneliness is a practical 3.5-hour webinar for volunteers and frontline professionals. Learn to recognise and respond to isolation and loneliness, build connection, and support wellbeing.
Volunteering Queensland
–
Free
on-demand

Certificate IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs

Nationally recognised qualification for people who manage volunteers. Over a 12-month period, develop leadership and management skills to lead volunteers, or formalise your experience.
Volunteering Queensland
Peak body members: $1950. Standard course fee: $3,500.
scheduled

The Role of Volunteer Management

Strengthen your volunteer management practice by exploring the key roles and responsibilities of volunteer leaders. Gain practical strategies to improve recruitment, engagement, inclusion, wellbeing and retention.
VolunteeringWA
–
Free