Volunteer Week Supports Organizations

The idea of Volunteer Week may confuse people. If participants are volunteering, they expect nothing in return, no pay, no compensation, just the satisfaction of giving to the cause and helping out. So the act of handing out gifts and throwing celebrations for volunteers may seem a bit contradictory. Regardless, organizations set aside budgets for National Volunteer Week, spending on locations, decorations, and gifts for volunteers. The value in doing so is not as obvious to outsiders but it is very real, and comes in the form of recruitment, retention and promotion.

Keeping volunteer organizations stocked with capable and motivated volunteers is a goal of every coordinator and director. Outreach to communities, schools and the public can come in the form of a public celebration of Volunteer Week. Seeing a group of volunteers who are being honored, listening to testimonials from beneficiaries who may speak and receiving a gift of appreciation can influence someone to inquire about the organization. This display of satisfaction and reward can be very attractive to someone who is curious about volunteering and may be on the fence. Recruiting these potential participants is critical to injecting new blood into the organization, and in turn can spark existing members to new enthusiasm.

Retention is the second biggest personnel issue facing coordinators. Volunteers may become bored or disillusioned with the cause of an organization over time. After years of giving to the same group, interest may naturally wane. Holding a Volunteer Week celebration can remind the veterans of why they volunteered in the first place. With the event including a lunch or dinner where representatives may hand out years of service awards and speak highly of the contributions of the group or guests who may have benefited from the work of the organization relating how much they appreciate the group, members can be refocused. A special volunteer gift of budget friendly promotional item can be kept as a reminder of their noble work, while keeping event costs low.

Volunteer groups are held to the same requirements as any business or organization, having to promote themselves to the communities, supporters and government. A properly planned Volunteer Week event can provide great public relations value, educating the public on the accomplishments of the group and what their goals are. Volunteer Week gives supporters and politicians the ability to associate themselves with the organizations while they don a t-shirt, cap or other promotional product with the logo or slogan of the group. Local news organizations, social media and websites will go out of their way to report on the event, highlighting the presence of public officials and philanthropists.

So while the volunteers may be the immediate beneficiaries, receiving gifts and praise from their constituents, the added value to the organizations that produce the Volunteer Week event validates its expense. Carryover effect on volunteer recruitment, retention and public relations come as a benefit of the celebration, supporting the organization and furthering its cause.

Michael Lerner is a recognized expert in the field of promotional products and volunteer recruitment techniques.

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