If you want volunteers to go the distance with you, then you've got to consistently encourage them. I think the following quote is so true.
“Be an encourager: When you encourage others, you boost their self-esteem, enhance their self-confidence, make them work harder, lift their spirits and make them successful in their endeavors. Encouragement goes straight to the heart and is always available. Be an encourager. Always.”
Roy Bennett
One easy way to encourage your volunteers is to give them a small gift. But not just any gift. Make it a personal gift. Here's how you can do this. Have each volunteer fill out an information sheet that asks what their favorites are. Favorite candy bar, favorite food, favorite song, favorite color, favorite ice cream, favorite dessert, favorite coffee, etc.
Then when you want to give them a personal gift, take out the list and use it to purchase something. The fact that you took the time to get something unique to them will make the gift extra special. I have a ministry friend who went the second mile to do this for one of his volunteers. She had listed a candy that wasn't available locally. So he went online and found it, purchased it and had it shipped to give to her. It was such an encouragement to her.
And the cherry on top is adding a personal note to the gift for your volunteer. Share with them how much you appreciate them and the value they add to the ministry.
This is a small way to bring BIG encouragement to your volunteers.
Join me, Frank Bealer and Gina McClain for other great ideas like this at our Live Webinar "Building Great Volunteer Teams" on Saturday, Feb.18th from 12 noon - 3 pm EST. When you register you will also get an ecopy of my new 150 page book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams." You can register at this link.