Non-Gift Volunteer Appreciation Ideas

Volunteer appreciation is a key part of retaining your team and creating a healthy culture. But remember to think beyond just gifts for appreciation! Think about your volunteers’ love languages and how you can show appreciation without physical items. Here are some ideas: 

• Host a special event. Invite them out to dinner or host a special event at your church just for your volunteers. Maybe you bring in a Christian comedian? Maybe you host a game night for their families? Maybe you provide lunch after services one Sunday in the form of a fleet of food trucks? Maybe you host a Parents’ Night Out that’s just for volunteer families. Bonus points if you can include their families in the event too! 
• Ask them questions, get their input, and gather feedback. One of the best ways to show volunteers you care and respect them is to reflect on the systems your volunteers interact with and the feedback they’ve given you, and implement changes for improvement. (Check out this resource for a ready-made volunteer feedback system to get you started!) 
• Share their stories and wins. While you’re gathering feedback, make it a habit to gather wins and celebrations too! How can you incorporate a time of sharing positive things that happen in your ministry? One church I know of has a “Tell Me Something Good” time every time their team gathers, and they spend 10-15 minutes just sharing good things they see happening, whether it’s related to child discipleship, administrative details, or even celebrating other volunteers. When you hear about a win or a good thing, don’t keep it to yourself! (And you can use our Sunday Celebrations journal to help you document these wins over 5 years! Find a printable version here, and find a hard copy on Amazon here!)
• Shout about them on social media! Use your ministry’s social media accounts to brag on your team and give them a shout-out on social media. Use #TeamTuesday to share about someone on your team and why they’re so awesome. Snap a quick pic of them serving, and you’re all set!
• Launch a “Volunteer of the Month” campaign. Recognize your most active volunteers each month with a “Volunteer of the Month” award. You’ll acknowledge their dedication and even invite a bit of light-hearted competition. Feature your monthly volunteers on your website, in your family newsletter, and social media accounts. And if there are prizes involved? Even better! Volunteer of the Month winners might receive a gift card, their favorite drink, some special ministry swag, etc. 
• Write notes. Create a system to make sure every volunteer receives a handwritten note from you or a key leader at least once a year. Instead of simply thanking your volunteers for their time (which should still happen often), use these notes to recognize their specific gifts and impacts. Be specific in your notes, and aim to show your volunteers that their efforts have real, powerful results. 
• Step into their world. Do you have any school teachers on your team? Ask if you can help them set up their classroom for the school year. Does one of your volunteers have a fundraising event for their company? Ask how you can attend and support them. Is one of your volunteers a stay-at-home mom? Invite her and her little one out for a playdate, or offer to babysit so mom can get some errands done. Whatever it looks like, step into your volunteers’ world and find ways to serve them there. 
• Consider skill development. Can you bring your key volunteers to a conference, or set up a retreat for your team leads to get away for a night? How can you invest in the skills and gifts they have? Consider any of these volunteer trainings (some in-person, some digital!) to grow your team.