Rewarding volunteers

Ways to recognise volunteers:

• smile, say hello and thank you to your volunteers regularly
• send welcome letters when volunteers are first recruited
• include volunteers in organisational charts
• write letters and postcards of thanks to volunteers
• write letters of reference and include details of service
• provide identification pins, badges, shirts or caps
• provide discounted memberships to volunteers
• acknowledge and profile volunteers in newsletters
• present volunteer awards at annual general meetings or awards ceremonies
• feature your volunteers at special events throughout the year (for example state championships, national league games, family days)
• provide complimentary tickets to volunteers for special events functions
• send get well, birthday and Christmas cards to your volunteers
• arrange discounts at local sport stores or restaurants for your volunteers
• have a volunteer-of-the-month award
• name events or facilities after long-serving volunteers
• award life memberships for long-serving volunteers
• reimburse out-of pocket expenses for volunteers
• acknowledge the efforts of volunteers during committee meetings
• hold special “thank you” or social functions in honour of volunteers
• present volunteers with a special memento recognising their service to the organisation
• farewell volunteers when they move away from the area or leave the organisation
• provide meal and petrol vouchers to volunteers
• arrange for free or discounted use of facilities
• present special awards for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and more years of service
• celebrate International Volunteers day – December 5.

Source: Recognising Volunteers – Active Australia Volunteer Management Program; Australian Sports Commission,