The following is a “too true to life” scenario, that we as Christian Women leaders may or may not have faced.  Can  you send in your suggestions on how you would handle this challenge?
            
Lucy’s question “How do you encourage, affirm or celebrate the different volunteers in your church or sphere of influence?
 
But have you told them? As simple as this sounds, it works!  Make and effort to compliment your workers before, during and after the event.  Many volunteers will work for no pay, but they will not work for nothing.  Your compliments and encouragement may be the very thing they need to go the extra mile.  Make sure they are sincere.  
Take the time to focus on each person. Do you know their schedule?  Do you know if they have had any outside pressing issues (sick family, financial difficulties or other problems that may affect their work?)  If you have a large group, perhaps you could enlist others to help you keep abreast of what is happening—no gossip here, just caring
A small token effort serves the purpose very well. One teacher placed a can of Sprite™ soft drink at each person’s workstation. He attached a note that was a takeoff on Sprite’s advertising campaign. It read, "I love the Spirit in you! Thanks for a job well done." Another time he used a PayDay™ candy bar. The note read, "Your real payday is coming." Seasons, holidays, and special events are opportunities to be creative.

One administrator who had let his appreciation efforts slide a little attached a chocolate-covered mint to a note that read " I ‘mint’ to do this earlier…."

What you do is not as important as just doing something. Even the person who does not appear to need any affirmation will respond in a good way.

The quarterly event needs to be a little bigger. You can have a quarterly meal. It does not need to be a big thing–maybe someone can bring a grill and make hamburgers for everyone. In one church, the Sunday School staff members come to a quarterly meeting and a member of the congregation makes a big pot of stew and the church provides the trimmings.
 
You can take the group to a local entertainment, a sight-seeing trip in the church van, or perhaps a tour of the fall leaves. Just be creative and make the event special. Cover as much of the expense as your budget will allow. You are doing this for those who give something money cannot buy.

Most leaders opt for the annual appreciation banquet that comes in a variety of styles and formats.
As you plan, keep in mind the event is to honor the staff. Do not ask them to prepare food, move the tables, or help with the decorations. Meals can be catered, prepared by another group in the church, or you can go to a restaurant that offers a private room. Provide free child-care.

An appreciation banquet should be a special dinner, not a preaching service. If you have a speaker, make sure she or he is a good banquet speaker who can be entertaining as well as inspirational.
Recognize staff members in some special way. You might have a small gift for each. You could prepare individualized awards, each relating to something that happened during the year.

Instead of an evening meal, one pastor arranged with a local restaurant to provide a breakfast on Teacher Appreciation Day. Substitute teachers gave the regular staff persons the day off. They all met at the restaurant for a great time of fellowship and food. They then went to church for a special recognition service in their honor. They marched in to a special seating area. They were honored before the church, testimonies of their effectiveness were presented, and each was presented with a corsage or boutonniere.
 
Look for special occasions such as holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries to show your appreciation.
One leader keeps a supply of cards that say, "Thanks," "I noticed," "Job well done," or "Congratulations." A staff member who received a civic award, got a card from him. When anyone does something extra, the appropriate card and a few words are in the mail. If a worker is experiencing a personal trial, this leader sends a card of encouragement.

Look for moments to encourage or inspire your workers. For example, if you meet a worker who is having a tough time, say something to let him or her know you care. A well-timed phone call accomplishes the same thing. Make it a habit to seize the moment.