Volunteer Management Ideas in the

Ultimate Ideas Newsletter

How to lead, recruit and retain more volunteers and members!

Issue 2

From Volunteer Management Newsletter Part 1 to Part 2 Continued...

5 Ways to Personalize Cards for Great Volunteer Recognition

Individualize

Individualize Christmas and other cards. Avoid sending mass-produced Christmas cards with the signature printed on it. These might be cheaper and less time-consuming, but the purpose of the card is lost – the message is ‘I don’t have time to even sign my name for you’. Make these cards count – add your signature and a personal message for each volunteer whenever you can.

A great tip is to sit down, visualize the volunteer you are writing to and tune in to the words that describe what type of person they are – ‘people person’, ‘quiet achiever’ or other key words or phrases that ‘fit’. Let yourself be guided by the words that come to mind – this ensures that your written thankyou is sincere, honest and personalized.

Quote It!

Another quick tip to personalize cards. Quote it! Add different quotes for different volunteers. Get on the internet, type quotes into any search engine – google, yahoo, etc. You will see a list of sites that have quotes. Choose sites that let you search for keywords. Type in keywords that describe the qualities of your volunteers – caring, listening, understanding, leading and so on. You can directly hand-write the quote on your card. Or copy, print and then cut the quote to a slip of paper and add it to the card for each volunteer. See our latest book 'Beyond Just Words!' 502 Inspiritional Quotes for Those Who Serve.

Space It Out

Not enough time and too many volunteers? Space out writing Christmas cards throughout the coming year. Got 100 volunteers? Then write about 3 cards per week. Got 500 volunteers? Then write about 10 cards per week. Break it down into manageable chunks.

New Year

Vary the tradition of sending Christmas cards as a form of volunteer recognition. Be a bit different and send volunteers a New Year’s card instead. Personally sign it and wish them another great year of working together.

Adapted from the book Count On Me! 501 Ideas on Retaining, Recognizing & Rewarding Volunteers by Dr Judy Esmond

More ideas on volunteer recognition for you...

Birthday Cards! Quick Tip on Volunteer Recognition From The Field

One saying that I have found and put into the birthday cards that I send to our volunteers is:-

A special person was born today,

We send wishes full of good cheer,

Along with our thanks to a special volunteer.  

Another is:-

Your birthday's a pleasant reminder of the many things you do,

That make the people in your life so happy that you are you,

You share yourself with others through your caring, warmth and love,

You're the special kind of person this world needs a lot more of!  

Heather Hurley

Volunteer Coordinator

Fullarton Lutheran Homes Inc.

Enjoy!

Judy

Dr Judy Esmond is the leading expert on how to gain, sustain and retain volunteers and members. Join up and receive FREE membership to her 'Ultimate Ideas' Mastermind Group and get the FREE E-Book and newsletter filled with 100s of ideas on volunteer management, volunteer recruitment, retention and volunteer recognition at www.morevolunteers.com

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