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Motivating Your Volunteers

If the volunteer's motivator is...
PRAISE

Reward him/her with...
Thank yous
Small gifts
Praise for his/her work -- especially in front of others
Public recognition
Reference letters
Letter thanking his/her boss or family

If the volunteer's motivator is...
AFFILIATION

Reward him/her with...
Social get-together
Name badges
Team projects
Special T-shirts for special events
Post a list of all volunteers in public area -- better yet, put up their photos too
Say "we," or "us," not "you"

If the volunteer's motivator is...
ACCOMPLISHMENT

Reward him/her with...
Certificates of accomplishment at stages (5, 10, 15 hours/years, etc., steps reached, projects completed, people served, meals delivered, etc.)
Concrete, perhaps physical projects, with a recognizable and reachable end
A place to put or mark completed projects

If the volunteer's motivator is...
INFLUENCE

Reward him/her with...
Leadership roles
Titles/rank insignia
Opportunities to talk to others about cause: media, voters, donors, public officials, etc.
Take photos of him/her with executive director or VIPs
"_____ of the Year" award
Ask his/her advice
Listen and be open to their ideas: use some of them

— Source: CyberVPM.com

Note from ENEX GROUP: Great ideas from CyberVPM, but interestingly, our source doesn't mention the simple desire to serve others or to serve God. Never underestimate His power to motivate His people through LOVE and COMPASSION!

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