Volunteer Recognition
12 Days of Christmas Day 10
Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas Museum Education Edition, a special podcast series designed to give museum educators actionable tips and research-backed strategies to elevate their programs for 2025.
In today’s episode, we’re focusing on volunteer recognition programs—a cornerstone of many museum operations. Volunteers are often the unsung heroes of museum life, providing support for tours, events, and so much more. But as we move into a new year, it’s time to rethink how we inspire, reward, and retain our volunteers to create meaningful, long-term relationships.
This episode will inspire you to take your volunteer recognition efforts from transactional to transformative!
Key Insights
"Volunteers want to feel like they're contributing something meaningful, not just completing a task."
We need to move beyond the transactional model of volunteer recognition. Volunteers are looking for more than just certificates or discounts—they crave purpose, community, and opportunities for growth.
We need to connect our volunteers with our site’s mission. Try aligning volunteer roles with your museum’s big-picture goals, such as sustainability, diversity, or social justice.
We need to make recognition personally meaningful. Are you highlighting the value and impact of your volunteers’ efforts?
We need to foster community among our volunteers. Involve them in the planning of the recognition efforts and acknowledge them as important stakeholders.
Check out the episode on your favorite podcast player!
Looking for the transcript? Find it here.
