Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation

As our Volunteer Statement affirms – Volunteers sit at the heart of the CBF. Their knowledge, expertise and passion for community media is central to our decision-making, ensuring our grants reflect the many perspectives, people and communities our sector serves.

The contributions of all volunteers to the CBF are highly valued by our organisation. Given that a key to volunteer retention is appropriate recognition, every effort will be made to thank volunteers and recognise their contribution.

This Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation Policy is intended to provide a framework for ensuring CBF volunteers feel valued and respected by our organisation and that their work is important, meaningful and a direct contribution to the CBF’s strategic goals and vision – ‘Community broadcasting is at the heart of every community.’

Operation of the Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation Process

For the purposes of this policy, recognition is defined as public display of admiration and respect for an individual’s or group’s achievements. Appreciation is different and defined as a more personalised feeling or expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude.

Currently, recognition is shown to volunteers using the following strategies:

  • CBF Volunteer statement published on the CBF website
  • Reference to the importance and value of CBF volunteers in our Strategic Plan
  • Reference to the importance and value of CBF volunteers in key publications including our Annual Report, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDC) Report
  • ‘Meet our assessor’ stories published on the CBF website and in social media
  • Stories and profiles for ‘National Volunteers Week’ published on the CBF website and in social media
  • CBF volunteer survey and Assessor Feedback survey conducted annually and results shared.

CBF volunteers are shown they are appreciated using the following strategies:

  • Gifts for retiring Board and Committee members based on length of service
  • ‘Hard working assessor’ mugs for first assessor to complete assessments each round
  • Assessor awards following each round
  • CBF badge for all retiring assessors
  • Handwritten cards for illness, bereavement, weddings, babies, special occasions
  • Regular communication with volunteers throughout the year
  • Thank you’s to volunteers for their work directly, internally and publicly.

Date of approval by the Board: 23 November, 2022. Download the CBF Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation Policy (PDF, 99KB). Please contact us if you require a Microsoft Word version of this document.

Community Broadcasting Foundation acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which our organisation was founded. We pay our respects to all First Nations people across Australia, including those sitting at the heart of community broadcasting. We recognise and honour their enduring connection to country and community and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as our lands first storytellers. We acknowledge the resilience and wisdom of First Nations people, honouring Elders who have guided in the past and those who continue to inspire us today.

Always was, always will be.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that our website may feature voices, videos, images and names of individuals who have now passed, alongside content of cultural significance.