Opportunities to Recognize Service - Volunteer Appreciation - Service Appreciation

It's customary in many churches and service organizations to recognize volunteers who are stepping down following their terms of service. Kudos! That's a wonderful tradition. But must we wait until a person leaves a position to convey thanks? What about providing encouragement - or acknowledging achievements - along the way?

If you're looking for inspiration in terms of the types of things you might recognize, why not take a peek at how some of our customers have used our appreciation plaques to express gratitude:

Milestones
This is the obvious one: recognition for X number of years of service. The recipient is still "on the job," but he or she is coming up to the 5th year, or 10th, or 20th. There is something pretty wonderful about those who "stick around." These are the dedicated folks you can count on, week after week, year after year.

Acknowledgement of a Goal That Was Reached
Often, the gratitude of our customers extends outside their walls, so to speak, to friends and supporters in their towns. For example, following the successful achievement of capital campaigns, we've created plaques for churches who wanted to acknowledge community members whose financial support was substantial. Others, while building new facilities, have wanted to convey thanks to "friends of the congregation" who donated material support: for example, architectural services, concrete, and heavy equipment. Faith-based service organizations often recognize people who have supported fundraising efforts.

Recognizing the Successful Creation of New Program
So far-reaching! Some recent examples: people who organized and oversaw a disaster response effort following extensive flooding in their area...someone who conceived and launched an "Adopt a Grandparent" program...people who spearheaded the effort to create a relief supplies collection program...and acknowledgement of those who implemented and oversaw a new transportation ministry to support those who cannot drive or don't own a car.

Recognizing the Successful Completion of a Project
Just a sample: sponsoring beautification of the church grounds...donation of landscaping materials and services following a building project...congregational liaison in charge of facilities renovation...father and son construction team who undertook a parsonage update project.

Bottom line? There are all sorts of extraordinary things going on around us every day. No doubt your church or organization has many great volunteers contributing in a variety of ways. If you're thinking about recognizing your volunteers and are interested in using our personalized appreciation plaques as a tangible expression of thanks, we'd be happy to help you out! 

Of course there are plenty of other options. You might sponsor a group dinner in their honor, or have a "volunteer appreciation party," take volunteers out one-on-one for a cup of coffee, recognize volunteers via your church or organization's social media pages, or send a handwritten note of appreciation. A little acknowledgement can go a long way.