Recognizing Volunteers: How to Feature Volunteers in Your Newsletter

Volunteers are the heart of any community organization, and senior centers are no exception. They bring warmth, energy, and invaluable skills. Recognizing their efforts in your senior center newsletter not only shows your appreciation, but can also inspire others to get involved.

Vaguely asking people to volunteer can be a little risky. The uncertainty of what kind of work there is out there might make people a little hesitant to contact you to find out the details. By sharing the stories of specific volunteers and how they support your organization, however, you make it easier for others to picture themselves helping.

One effective way to accomplish this is to feature volunteers in your senior center’s newsletter. Here are a few tips for getting started.

Promoting Your Volunteer Program in the Newsletter

• Establish a “Volunteer Spotlight” section
  Create a dedicated “Volunteer Spotlight” section in each edition of your newsletter. Use this space to highlight one or two volunteers, sharing their backgrounds, motivations for volunteering, and their specific contributions to your organization. A standard format to use might be:
• First name and photo: Start with a photo of the volunteer alongside their name or nickname.
• Background: Share a brief biography: Where are they from? What do they do outside of volunteering? What led them to volunteer?
• Involvement: Describe what the volunteer does at the senior center — activities they lead, services they provide, or special projects they’ve been involved in.
• Personal quote: Include a quote from the volunteer about why they enjoy their work and how they benefit from sharing their time and talent. This personal touch can resonate with readers and foster a sense of connection.
• Obtain testimonials from senior center members
  Gather testimonials from seniors who have benefited from the contributions of your volunteers. These stories help to illustrate the positive impact that volunteers have on your community, and their testimonials can be powerful motivators for others to follow in their footsteps.
• Highlight volunteer achievements
  Recognizing specific achievements is a great way to celebrate volunteers. For instance, if a volunteer led a successful event or initiated a new program, share details in your newsletter. You could also commemorate milestones, such as number of hours logged or yearly service anniversaries.
• Create a “Volunteer of the Year” program
  Each year, consider selecting a “Volunteer of the Year” and dedicating a feature to them in your newsletter. This could coincide with a larger event, like National Volunteer Week. Share an in-depth look at their story, such as their contributions over the years and the impact they’ve made on your center. An accompanying awards ceremony or presentation during a community event can enhance the recognition and make yet another great newsletter article.
• Encourage volunteer input
  Invite volunteers to contribute to the newsletter themselves. They can write about their experiences first-hand or share tips for others interested in volunteering. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and encourages more volunteers to engage with the newsletter.
• Share volunteer opportunities
  Feature a section on upcoming volunteer opportunities in your senior center. By showcasing how others can get involved, you not only recognize current volunteers but also invite new ones to join the team. Clearly outline the roles available and any training or orientation sessions coming up. You can find plenty of graphics calling for volunteers in WeCreate, our library of graphics and content.
• Acknowledge contributions
  In addition to featuring volunteer spotlights, consider adding a “Thank You Corner” in your newsletter. This can be a short but heartfelt section that acknowledges the contributions of all volunteers, offering a warm reminder of how vital their support is to the organization’s mission. This simple gesture not only shows appreciation but also strengthens the connection between volunteers and the impact they help achieve.
• Growing Community Through Volunteer Outreach
  If you’ve been struggling to grow your volunteer force numbers, we hope featuring and promoting your program in your newsletter will yield positive results. If you want to learn more about why a successful volunteer program can help create awareness for your senior center, How Volunteer Recruitment Can Ignite Community Involvement is a good article you’ll likely find helpful.

For more inspiration for your senior center, head over to the “Senior Centers” section of our blog.