Volunteer Appreciation Month: Let’s Talk About Your Board for a Second

Pull up a chair for a minute.

You know how everyone is posting about volunteers this month? The thank you posts, the appreciation graphics, the big “we couldn’t do this without you” energy?

I keep wondering how many boards are feeling that love.

Because if we are real, board members sit in this weird space. They are volunteers, but they do not always get treated like it. They are expected to lead, give, open doors, make decisions, and somehow just know how to do all of that without much support.

And then we wonder why they go quiet.

So, if you are thinking about appreciation this month, let’s make it real. The kind that actually lands.

Start simple. Just say something real.

Forget the polished email for a second.

Who on your board has been showing up consistently? Who asks thoughtful questions? Who follows through?

Tell them.

Not in a big formal way. Just a quick note or a text.

“I see you. I appreciate how you show up.”

That kind of acknowledgment sticks. 👈🏾

Let them see the difference they are making

A lot of board members are doing their best without fully knowing if it matters.

They show up at meetings. They review materials. They vote. And then they go back to their lives.

Close that gap. Tell them what shifted because they were in the room.

“That idea you raised helped us rethink our approach.”

“Your connection brought in someone we would not have reached otherwise.”

“Your presence brings a level of steadiness we needed.”

People stay where they feel useful.

Make space for honesty

If you really want to show love, ask a real question and be ready for a real answer.

“How is this experience for you?”

Not the version people answer quickly. The real one.

Where are they confused?

Where do they feel unsure?

What feels like a waste of time?

You cannot fix what no one is saying out loud.

And trust me, there is always something. 👈🏾

Treat them like people, not positions

Your board list might say attorney, banker, executive, founder.

But those are not the only things they are.

They are moms, dads, uncles, aunties, best friends and grandparents with full lives. Some are stretched thin. Some are figuring things out. Some are carrying more than you know.

Check in beyond the agenda. Celebrate something personal. Ask how they are doing and really listen.

That is how you build a board that feels connected, not just committed.

Give them clarity. This is the big one.

Let me say this plainly.

Nothing kills engagement faster than confusion.

If your board is unsure about their role, unclear about expectations, or quietly guessing what fundraising looks like, no amount of appreciation will fix that.

Clarity is care.

When people know what is expected and how to do it, they show up differently.

This is where I spend a lot of my time with organizations through The Board Pro. Helping boards move out of that fog and into something that works. 👈🏾

Because once things are clear, appreciation starts to feel earned on both sides.

Do something that feels a little special

It does not have to be big.

A short gathering before a meeting.

A handwritten note.

A quick video from someone impacted by your work.

Just something that breaks the routine and reminds them why they said yes in the first place.

Invite them to grow

The best kind of appreciation says, “We see you, and we want more with you.”

Ask them what they want to lean into.

Do they want to get more comfortable with fundraising?

Do they want to take on more leadership?

Do they want to be more visible as ambassadors?

Board service should not feel static. It should feel like something you grow into.

One last thing

If your board feels a little disconnected right now, you are not alone.

A lot of boards are trying to find their rhythm again. Some are stuck in old habits. Some are unclear about their role. Some are just going through the motions.

Appreciation is a good place to start.

But if you really want a board that is engaged, accountable, and fun to work with, it takes more than a thank you.

It takes intention. Structure. Clarity.

And when you get that right, everything else starts to click.

If that is something you are thinking about, that is exactly the work we do at The Board Pro.

But for now, start with this.

Reach out to one board member today and say something real.

That is how it begins. 👈🏾

Christal M. Cherry is the Founder of The Board Pro, where she works with nonprofits to build boards that are engaged, clear, and actually enjoyable to work with. She spends her time leading trainings, facilitating retreats, and helping boards figure out what they’re supposed to be doing and how to do it well. She believes board service should feel human, not confusing, and is known for keeping it real while getting results.