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Clubs should show volunteers that they are fully appreciated and this should form part of the club’s volunteer policy. Management of this process should be given to the volunteer coordinator or equivalent role. Simple steps that clubs can take here include:
- Thanking volunteers - personal praise during the programme/at committee meetings/letters of thanks. Try to refer to something specific when thanking volunteers, it shows that you have noticed what they’ve been doing.
- Value all volunteers regardless of their role within their club
- Acknowledge your volunteers (by name) in your club programme, newsletters and notice board
- Run Newsletter features about people behind the scenes - an excellent example of this is done by Badminton (see links and downloads)
- Present an award for the Volunteer of the Year
- Have a volunteers week during the year to highlight the contribution of volunteers
- Provide refreshments for volunteers
- Reimburse out of pocket expenses, for example, travel. Encourage all volunteers to take up expenses so that those who really need to do not feel stigmatized. Have clear guidelines on what expenses will be paid e.g. mileage/public transport, meals. Those who do not wish to keep their expenses can re-pay them as a donation to the club.
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