4 Ways that Presidential Candidates Thank Their Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any campaign. Not only do they save a campaign a lot of money, they give the candidate credibility. After all, a candidate who can’t inspire people to donate their time for their success probably isn’t worth voting for. Because you aren’t compensating your volunteers, it is easy to take them for granted. However, you can easily avoid that by finding new and creative ways to thank them for their time. Here are some tricks that any campaign — from presidential to school board — can utilize to support, encourage, and thank their volunteers.

1. Buy Pizza.

Campaign volunteers are out day after day, rain or shine, in the blazing heat or freezing cold. What better way to reward them than free food, especially pizza? Apparently, that’s what the 2016 presidential candidates think. According to an analysis of campaign expenditures, Hillary Clinton, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, and others have spent thousands of dollars on pizza for their campaign this election. While pizza is not necessarily the cheapest food to purchase, it is better than most, and everyone loves it.

2. Give Out Free Swag.

I asked a friend who leads a campus chapter of Students for Rubio what the senator does to thank his volunteers. When volunteers reach goals like collecting a certain number of signatures for the candidate, the campaign rewards them with free swag. Free swag—like hats and t-shirts—is beneficial for the campaign in two ways. First, the campaign thanks their volunteers in a tangible way. Additionally, it’s another way for the campaign’s name to be visible.

3. Put a Thank You on Social Media.

After the close of the New Hampshire primary, Ben Carson posted the following on Facebook:

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the election process is getting to meet so many great people across the country, and New Hampshire has been no exception…I commend the many staff and volunteers from New Hampshire who worked tirelessly to spread our call to return faith, integrity and common sense to American leadership.

 

This post is a great example of how Dr. Carson used a public platform to thank his volunteers. Thanking volunteers publicly not only shows appreciation, but it is an easy way to demonstrate how your campaign is impacting and inspiring people’s lives. The only thing Dr. Carson could have done better here is include a photo!

4. Throw an Awesome Victory Party.

Each campaign I have worked on, from a state representative race to Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, has had one major thing in common: all volunteers were invited to the victory party. It’s pretty exciting to be in a room full of people with whom you have spent countless hours and days canvassing and phone banking. Regardless of whether you win, like we did in the local race, or lose, like we did on the Romney campaign, watching the results come in with your team is an incredible experience. Being a part of the victory party makes everyone feel like part of the team—and nothing says “thank you” like making a volunteer feel like a team member… and free food.