Is there a way to keep my volunteer staff satisfied even though I'm not paying them?

Volunteer work can either be very fulfilling for the volunteer and keep him or her coming back to help, or it can feel like a waste of time. Use the following tips to help your volunteer staff feel needed and appreciated.

• Find opportunities for new volunteers right away.
• Make sure that you clearly express your expectations of them.
• Be careful to communicate the importance of the work that the volunteer is involved in.
• Make sure that there is always enough work, so that they will not feel useless.
• Give titles for jobs; “Assistant Coordinator” helps people recognize the importance of a job.
• Be flexible; allow volunteers to maintain their lives.
• Provide refreshments at the end of projects.
• Remember and celebrate the birthdays and other special dates of devoted volunteers.
• Create a way for committed volunteers to be able to “move up” – to take on more responsibility.
• Involve all active volunteers in brain-storming sessions and decision making.
• Do things that build the team mentality like going on retreats and making t-shirts.
• Have your current volunteers help you bring in new volunteers.
• Give honest praise and sincere thanks! Even recognize them publicly.
• Be genuinely interested in your volunteers – as individuals, not work tools.
• Stay positive, honest, and enthusiastic.