Membership Hack: The Gratitude Book

How to hack it? The North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants has a special way to say thank you to volunteer members who have dedicated significant amounts of time throughout the year: Staff sign and send a copy of a book called Gratitude  (opens in a new tab).

“We wanted a simple and tangible item to give our members to recognize those in leadership roles,” says Jennifer Rowell, NCACPA’s director of member engagement. “This is an inexpensive but very personal way to thank our members.” The book is filled with inspirational quotes, and NCACPA staff liaisons write personal messages to members inside the book’s pages before sending them on to individual volunteers.

Why does it work? The book delivers a personal connection, Rowell says, going beyond traditional thank you cards. And since a lot of the volunteer experience happens digitally—the association uses an online volunteer network  (opens in a new tab) to connect with members—the book is an old-school way to say thanks.

What’s the bonus? Recognition goes a long way toward increasing member engagement. “We do have a good track record of keeping these types of leaders engaged,” Rowell says, whether that’s through service on a volunteer committee or task force or as a member mentor.

(Handout photo)