Ways to say "Thank You!"

Here are a few ideas that your organization might wish to use when recognizing the work of your volunteers:

• Have a calligrapher write the volunteer’s name on an appreciation certificate
  
  
• Wrap a few cinnamon buns or cupcakes with a note saying, “Thanks for working your buns off!” or “You take the cake!”
  
  
• Give a potpourri packet with a note saying “You’ve given our project the sweet smell of success!”
  
  
• Take a small box of raisins, attach a strip of magnetic tape to the back and attach a small note saying, "Thanks for raisin' all those funds." These can be put on refrigerators or filing cabinets at work.
  
  
• Smile, and say “Thank You!”
  
  
• Give your volunteers a bag of mixed nuts with a note attached stating, "We would go 'nuts' without your support!”
  
  
• Wrap candles in cellophane and tie them with a note stating, "You light up the lives of so many!"; or "You lighten our load by volunteering."; or “No one holds a candle to you!”
  
  
• Fill an heirloom box with artifacts from the organization's past, and include a note that says, "Thank you for being part of our history in the making".
  
  
• Use children's drawings or pictures of a past charitable event to make a bookmark. Laminate it and include a message on the back.
  
  
• Personal notes sent out periodically to remind volunteers of how important his/her efforts are to the organization.
  
  
• Send a "thought-you'd-like-to-know" letter to the volunteer's employer, acknowledging his/her positive contribution to your organization.
  
  
• Bring volunteers together for a recognition brunch/lunch/tea/dinner in their honor.
  
  
• Send an anniversary card to volunteers highlighting their year(s) of service. Note how they made a difference in your organization over the past year(s).
  
  
• Take photographs of volunteers while they are "on the job" and later give each volunteer a photo of him/herself in a frame with a 'thank you' message.
  
  
• Highlight a “Volunteers of the Month” in your newsletter and/or on your office bulletin board.
  
  
• Fill a wine glass with candy and attach a note saying, “A toast to a job well done!”
  
  
• Check out the Volunteer Recognition Items available through the Volunteer Centre, Community Services Council.
  
  

For more information, check out these helpful links:

• Engergize Inc.
• Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC)
• Celebrate Volunteers, Volunteer Canada website

home	back to previous page
profile of voluntary sector - managing voluntary organizations research and policy - sector news and calendar events
About CSC - CSC Programs - Contact Us - CSC Publications
Copyright 2003 Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador privacy statement