Retaining your volunteers is key to success. There is no point at being good at recruitment if you cannot keep your volunteers coming back. Recruitment is a solution to the problem of not having enough volunteers; retention is a way to avoid the problem altogether. Volunteers must also receive a sense of appreciation and reward for their contribution. This sense can be conveyed through a number of processes, including both formal and informal recognition systems.

Resources

Adult Volunteer Leader Recognition Program

Hale Master 4-H Family Recognition Program

National 4-H Council's Salute to Excellence Awards

Volunteer Recognition: Ideas and sucess stories by Energize, Inc.