How Will You Recognize Your Volunteers?
There are many organizational benefits to recognizing your volunteers including motivating your volunteers, strengthening the bond between volunteers and the organization, and creating additional brand awareness and marketing opportunities.

Leverage the Nation's Focus on Volunteering with a National Volunteer Award
Linking your local recognition activities with national volunteer award programs is the best way to maximize your efforts. There are two well-known national volunteer awards that can help differentiate and elevate your recognition efforts from previous year's efforts and attract increased media attention for your volunteers' achievements:

The President's Volunteer Service Award

• The most prestigious volunteer Award currently associated with the White House.
• Last year during National Volunteer Week, more than 20,000 volunteers received this prestigious Award.
• Join nearly 6,000 organizations that have partnered with the Award program and bestow presidential recognition on your volunteers by presenting them with the President's Volunteer Service Award this National Volunteer Week.
• Award recipients receive a signed letter from the President of the United States, a personalized certificate, and an official lapel pin.
• Visit the official website to learn how you can give the Award to your volunteers.

The Daily Points of Light Award

• Given each weekday, the Daily Points of Light Award honors individuals and volunteer groups that have made a commitment to help meet critical needs in their communities.
• Award recipients are featured on the Points of Light website.
• More than 2800 individuals and/or organizations have received this award.
• Nominate your deserving volunteers today.

Local Recognition Events
During the National Volunteer Week, organizations of all stripes – nonprofits, community groups, Volunteer Centers, businesses, and local and state government agencies – will host events to publicly recognize their volunteers. Many of the Week's events include receptions or luncheons hosted where volunteers actually receive their awards and/or a small token of thanks from elected officials or local dignitaries. (See the National Volunteer Week toolkit for event planning and media outreach resources).

Additional Ways to Thank Your Volunteers

• Recognize a "Volunteer of the Month" in your newsletter or on your website. Also, include information why the volunteer received this type of recognition. Include photos as well.

• Distribute bumper stickers or other promotional items to recognize volunteer contributions.

• Honor the first volunteer recruited during National Volunteer Week. Give this volunteer special prizes or recognition.

• Create a National Volunteer Week yearbook, which can be displayed in a library, courthouse lobby, or another public office. You can also create a display or exhibit at a local public office.

• Ask local radio and television stations to run a week-long series that recognizes a different volunteer for each day of National Volunteer Week.