Thanking volunteers

Thanking volunteers is important. Volunteer motivation and well-being are enhanced by appreciation, encouragement, and positive feedback. Lead volunteers in the branch play an important role in ensuring that members and volunteers are acknowledged equally.

There are many different ways to express gratitude. Here is a list of some suggestions:

• Communicate the results of volunteer activities widely to volunteers, members, and the general public. In your communications, utilize the data from the Event and Activity Reports found in OMA Red Cross (see Continuous data collection).
• By sharing stories about the work, you can highlight the valuable impact volunteers have in promoting humanity and defending those in vulnerable positions.
• Organize informal gatherings for the board or activity groups, or branch development days that include good food along with some planning.
• Provide refreshments at meetings and offer small gifts.
• Please ensure you apply for service and merit badges, as well as Medals of Merit. Instructions for applying can be found in the Recognition Guidelines and Application Form.
• Send thank-you messages via Oma Red Cross, email, or social media.
• Host celebrations, such as Christmas parties (pikkujoulut), end-of-season gatherings for spring or autumn, or wrap-parties after major events.
• Remember volunteers on special occasions, such as graduations, birthdays, the birth of a child, etc.
• Encourage and praise volunteers for a job well done.
• Offer training or courses to volunteers (where the branch pays the course fee either in full or in part).