April 21 – 27, 2013 is National Volunteer Week. Most nonprofits will spend at least a day of that week recognizing and thanking volunteers. It is likely that your board members may join the staff in thanking the volunteers during the festivities. One problem…who is thanking the board?
Board members give of their time out of love for the mission, just like volunteers. They offer their professional expertise and guide the nonprofit to success. Too often, they are overlooked when it comes time for a thank you.
This year, take time to recognize, and thank, your board members during National Volunteer Week and throughout the year. Some memorable and fun ways to say thank you include:
- A special treat. While your monthly board meeting may include lunch or refreshments, how about having staff members serve up some special treats from their personal recipes. You could go with a theme or simply provide deserts or a “treat plate” for each board member.
- Feature board members in newsletters and on social media. Write a brief article or even a feature story about a board member and post one member daily during the volunteer week.
- Staff members are expected to wear their professional name tag at events and fundraisers, so don’t leave board members with a paper tag! Provide each board member with a professional name tag indicating their position.
- Have a birthday celebration at each month’s board meeting. Provide cake and recognize board members whose birthday is that month.
- Post Board members photos and names inside the organization. This helps staff members to recognize board members and acknowledge them when they visit.
- Recognize board members on your website. Consider posting a photo and brief bio on a page.
- Take a board member to lunch. This might take the entire year, but consider inviting one board member each month to lunch.
- Host a staff/board cookout or picnic. This is a great way to connect the two groups and help the board stay excited about the mission of your organization.
The ideas can be endless. Ask staff members for ideas on how to recognize and thank board members. No matter the idea, be sure to say thank you to your board.