Volunteer Recognition
Checklist for Crew Chiefs 


  • Are we kind and thoughtful?
  •  Do we smile?
  •  Do we offer to buy volunteers a cup of coffee or tea?
  •  Do we accommodate personal needs?
  •  Are we aware of the volunteers’ personal limits and are we not asking too much from them?
  •  Do we treat volunteers with kindness and understanding?
  •  Do we communicate effectively with our volunteers?
  •  Do we take the time to talk and explain things fully?
  •  Do we yell when volunteers make mistakes or just don’t get it?
  •  Have we put up a suggestion box?
  •  Do we give volunteers permission to say NO!?
  •  Do we keep volunteers “in the loop”?
  •  Do we keep volunteers informed about our organization and its work?
  •  Do we include volunteers on our mailing and e-mail list?
  •  Do we involve volunteers in our plans and our planning exercises?
  •  Are we helpful?
  •  Do we provide babysitting services during meetings or activities?
  •  Do we reimburse assignment-related expenses?
  •  Do we offer to act as a reference?
  •  Do we provide a good experience?
  •  Do we provide volunteers with a good orientation?
  •  Do we provide volunteers with opportunities to attend workshops?
  •  Do we enable volunteers to grow in their work with us?
  •  Do we understand why volunteers are involved with our group?
  •  Do we offer volunteers the opportunity to move into a leadership role within the organization?
  •  Do we provide special activities for volunteers?
  •  Do we plan an annual recognition event?
  •  Do we plan an outing, just for fun?
  •  Do we make sure it’s fun?
  •  Do we build fun into our work?
  •  Do we offer and create a friendly environment for all?
  •  And last, but not least…
  •  People are busy. Do we offer them a rewarding experience?
  •  Do we treat each member as a VIP, because each volunteer is a VERY IMPORTANT PERSON!
  •  Other things we do to recognize and thank volunteers:
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      Recommend additions to this list.      

 Thanking someone for the work they have done or the time they spent helping your group can be done in hundreds of different ways. Each volunteer has different needs and motives for getting involved – keep the individual in mind when determining your recognition approach. Making sure that volunteers know how important they are to your group will go a long way to keeping them involved!


Weasel Workers at Work