By Shauna Mullins, Gamma Upsilon-East Texas A&M
CAB Manager-Recruitment 

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and it’s the perfect time to show gratitude for the alumnae who serve your chapter behind the scenes — advising and mentoring members, strengthening your chapter and helping it thrive. While you see these women and their impact, what you may not always see is their life outside of Kappa Delta — careers, families and countless responsibilities they balance while giving  back to our sisterhood.

This Volunteer Appreciation Month, take some time to pause and thank your local volunteers — chapter advisory board, house corporation board members and other alumnae — who play such an important role in your chapter’s success. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive — the most meaningful thing is simply letting these sisters know how much they are appreciated and valued.

Here are a few ideas to get started!

Five Simple Ideas to Show Appreciation to Volunteers 

• Say thank you. A simple handwritten note goes a long way. Let your advisors know how much their guidance, time and care mean to your chapter. Encourage governing and executive council members write notes to the CAB members who support them, and the chapter president or treasurer write to housing volunteers. 

• Host a small appreciation gathering. Invite your volunteers to the chapter facility (if you have one) or a spot on campus or in your community. Keep it simple — desserts and beverages are perfect. You might create small floral arrangements or even put together a short video featuring members sharing messages like, “Because of you, I ______.” Make it personal and reflective of your chapter’s sisterhood. 

• Plan a dinner together. Invite your CAB and house corporation board members to dinner at a local restaurant. This is a great opportunity to connect beyond chapter business and build meaningful relationships. If your group is large, consider smaller, more intimate dinners. Be sure to plan ahead so volunteers are treated as your guests. 

• Celebrate them on social media. Highlight your volunteers with a post that shares your appreciation and the impact they’ve made. If you have photos from chapter events, post and tag them so they can feel the love from your chapter. 

• Give a small, thoughtful gift. A coffee shop gift card, homemade treats or a small bouquet are all meaningful ways to say thank you. Pair it with a heartfelt note to make it even more special. 

A final takeaway: What you do for Volunteer Appreciation Month is not as important as how your local volunteers feel afterwards. A simple, authentic and heartfelt show of appreciation is all that is needed.