• Remember a volunteer's name, and use it when you greet them
• Don't forget to say 'thank you'
• Be interested in their personal lives and problems
• Celebrate major achievements - perhaps with an award ceremony to which you invite prominent local people
• Ensure they have a way of taking part in the decision making processes
• Ask them to make presentations at meetings
• Offer training and progression
• Bring food to volunteers meetings
• Nominate them for community awards
• Mention volunteers input at meetings, in the Annual Report, in your newsletter on your website etc
• Remember their birthdays and send them a card
• If they need equipment to carry out their role make sure it works and it is as up to date as you can afford
• Keep a file of specific accomplishments so that you can use the facts when needed
• Use special days - Volunteers' Week & Make a Difference Day' to publicise their work and time put in
• Organise a social event, outing or party to say thank you

Key points

• Make sure any way you choose of recognising and rewarding fits the type of achievement and the volunteer concerned - make it personal and meaningful
• Be honest and sincere - most people can see through superficial praise
• Be consistent and fair - don't have different rules for different people
• Make sure the paid staff are fully aware of how important volunteers are to your organisation and ensure they have some training in managing volunteers