Hey.
Up until recently I shared responsibility for recruiting, training and, most importantly, retaining volunteers for an organic foods coop where I volunteer myself. So I visited a bigger organization nearby that actually has paid staff to manage their volunteers to consult with them. This is what I found out by talking to them and through our own experience.
Parties are key. Good food is the most important, and booze if you can afford it. Only invite the actual volunteers, not family (OK, little kids can come). Also invite recent volunteers who may have become less active lately. They may come back. Make a little speech to thank the group and print up nice certificates that you or somebody else respected in the group signs and are handed out individually.
Send out real paper cards by snail mail, again signed, for birthdays or maybe a date that’s important to the group.
Acknowledge them on your e-media, with photos.
Always treat them with true respect. Sounds simple but when we’re overloaded it’s easy to take ppl for granted. Have events/projects as well organized as possible so they don’t stress of feel like they’re wasting their time. Take the time to thank them and let them know how their efforts contributed to the group’s objectives and listen to their input. Maybe give them some follow-up info.
Be attentive to conflicts between volunteers and between volunteers and staff. It may be very subtle, but important enough that the volunteer will quit. This is tricky since people may not be very forthcoming or may not want to be seen as complainers. It’s essential that they know their comments will be held in strict confidence.
