In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson discusses the importance of strategic volunteer appreciation. Moving beyond traditional gifts and certificates, she explores how to recognize and value volunteers in ways that are meaningful and aligned with core human needs and organizational goals.
Tobi provides 12 innovative appreciation ideas categorized into meeting volunteer needs for safety, connection, and purpose, and aligning with organizational goals such as program quality, DEIJ, and donor engagement. You'll learn how to create impactful and heartfelt recognition that sustains both volunteers and the mission of their organizations!
Full show notes: 176. Beyond Pizza Parties: Innovative Appreciation Ideas for Volunteers
Appreciation Ideas for Volunteers - Episode Highlights
- [02:00] - Why Recognition Must Go Beyond Trinkets
- [06:00] - Aligning recognition with Organizational Goals
- [14:10] - Aligning Appreciation with Organizational Goals
- [15:00] - Mission Awareness: Mission Ambassador Awards
- [16:00] - Recognition as a Change Management Strategy
- [17:00] - Program Quality Champions: Rewarding Volunteer-driven Improvements
- [18:00] - DEIJ Leadership Spotlights: Inclusivity & Serving Diverse Communities
- [19:00] - Growth Catalysts: Celebrating Expansion & Innovation
- [20:00] - Data Heroes: Connecting Volunteer Data to Grants, Funding, and Impact
- [23:00] - Why Random Giveaways and Trinkets Don’t Work
- [24:30 - The Bottom Line: Strategic, Meaningful Recognition
Helpful Links
- Volunteer Management Progress Report
- VolunteerPro Impact Lab
- Volunteer Nation Episode #024: The Best Volunteer Recognition is a Well-Run Program
- Volunteer Nation Episode #169: How to Meet 3 Core Volunteer Needs Right from the Start
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.
For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.