Someone has nominated “FREE” as the most powerful word in the English language. But right behind it, I believe, come the words, “thank you,” sincerely offered.

CTA is all about helping you express your appreciation to staff and volunteers in meaningful ways. (We are, after all, “Christian Tools of Affirmation”!) Our affordable products help you say “thank you.” But most of all, we want to help you develop a “culture of appreciation,” in which everyone feels affirmed and appreciated all the time. That kind of culture just naturally draws the best talent—both volunteer and staff. And that kind of culture retains the best people, too!

So, with that in mind, here are a few FREE ways to say Thank You!

• Look for each worker’s unique talents and find ways to use them. Would that church secretary make a great leader for your single mom’s ministry? Would that children’s ministry helper be wonderful at organizing the nursery worker schedule? Help everyone find just the right spot for service–their “sweet spot”–and then support them in it.

• After a major event gather everyone involved (staff and volunteers) to debrief. Ask questions like, “What went well? What will we repeat next time? What can we do even better?” Then actually use the workable ideas you gather!

• Work to learn each person’s name. Then use it often.

• Pay attention to your orientation process. Help every new youth worker and each Sunday school volunteer feel fully “at home” and valued.

• Say hello every day—and smile when you say it!

• Take time to explain new projects or approaches to committee chairs, deacons, greeters, and Sunday school helpers–everyone who might possibly be affected by the changes. Invite questions, and then answer them patiently.

• Listen! Listen! Listen!

• Point reporters from local newspapers to stories about your organization and call special attention to the people who have made the event or service possible.

• Make sure pastors, teachers, nursery workers, office volunteers, and other staff have the supplies and equipment they need to do their job. And that they know where to find them and how to use them! (It’s easy to take this for granted.)

• Make birthdays and organizational anniversaries (1 year, 5 years, 10 years on the job) special times to recognize individual contributions.

• Nominate workers for awards. For example, CTA sponsors the annual Servant Heart Award to help churches honor their pastors.

• When workers return from an absence, let them know they were missed.

• Praise your DCE, your visitation pastor, and VBS volunteers in front of their spouse, children, and friends.

• Write a note or pick up the phone and thank your children’s pastor, DRE, or church secretary “just because” you appreciate their contribution.