An online conversation started with Seth Godin promoting the idea of a Customer of the Month program for businesses. Searchgive continued the conversation by suggesting a Donor of the Month program might be worth trying for nonprofits. A similar concept could be established for volunteers. The purpose of recognizing a volunteer each month is to express your appreciation.
Doing everything you can to retain good and experienced volunteers is important. Letting them know you value and appreciate them is an important part of meeting this need.
One of the nonprofit organizations I volunteer with has done a great job of letting me know I am appreciated. I have received three thank you notes in the last several weeks. One from the staff person responsible for my area, one from the President of the organization, and one from a child who suffers from the disease I am working hard to fight (this note meant the most to me). They also contact me in other ways on a regular basis and give me opportunities to get involved in many new ways.
Consider announcing your first Volunteer of the Month this week. Determine what motivates each of your volunteers and show every one how much you appreciate their efforts.