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MAVA Connections Re-cap: Methods For Virtual Volunteer Recognition

Carolyn Swenson | Published on 3/4/2021

At February’s MAVA Connections, members discussed the topic of methods for volunteer recognition in the virtual age.  Participants shared ideas for gatherings and activities that could be done virtually or at a distance.  This MAVA Connections provided not only an opportunity to share things that have been tried, but also the chance to think through the possibilities to try something new.  Members chatted in small groups that were reconfigured several times during the session to maximize the ability to meet one another.  Here are just a few of the many great ideas that were shared: 

  • quarterly Zoom social hour
  • a virtual meet and greet for volunteers (and donors) with a client
  • a drive-by recognition event where volunteers pick up a small thank you gift
  • an online get together focused on volunteering for another cause (such as writing letters to seniors via kindly.org)
  • an online game night (trianglegamenight.com as one source for a lower-cost hosted event) 
  • sending out a very simple thank you video/short video snippets daily during National Volunteer Week
  • thank-a-thon calls to volunteers from board members
  • monthly drawings with winner announced in newsletter