Volunteer Recognition

Volunteer recognition is a proven volunteer retention strategy for nonprofit organizations. Recognition can and should take multiple forms.

• Formal recognition might include a certificate or award.
• Informal recognition can consist of a verbal thank you, written note, or a token of appreciation.
• Confirmatory recognition acknowledges volunteer participation or achievement of clearly identified goals (through a pin, badge, or graduation to new status).
• Discretionary recognition is any recognition effort celebrates a volunteer’s impact, rather than their tenure or role within an organization.

Ensuring a healthy “diet” of formal and informal, discretionary and confirmatory recognition practices ensures that all volunteers are acknowledged and honored for their contributions. The UC Master Gardener Program offers a variety tools and practices to support your local volunteer recognition efforts.

Pins and badges

Volunteer name badges for UC Master Gardeners, Gold Badge, and Platinum Badge achievement levels are available for order through an approved vendor. Name badge info can be found on the Marketing Supplies Name Badges webpage..

Volunteer recognition pins celebrate a variety of hours milestones and are available to order from the statewide office. Visit the Supplies - Pin page to learn more about pin options and ordering.

Gardeners with Heart

Gardeners with Heart is an annual volunteer recognition campaign, celebrating volunteer contributions in key impact areas for the UC Master Gardener Program. Fellow volunteers and coordinators are invited to submit nominations of exceptional volunteers. While all nominees are recognized on social media and in the Impact Report, select Gardeners with Heart are featured in a series on the UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog.

Certificates

The Green Thumb Award is a certificate issued to volunteers at the discretion of local programs. It is available for download on the Template page. 

The Certificate of Completion can be customized for Trainees graduating to UC Master Gardener Program volunteers, UC Master Gardeners transitioning to Gold Badge volunteers, and more. The certificate is available for download on the Template page.

Thank you notes

Handwritten notes are a simple way to appreciate a volunteer’s special effort on a project or event, celebrate their volunteer “anniversary,” or welcome them to a new leadership role. Blank notecards are available for purchase on the Supplies page.