When I chaired the Board of the UNICEF Committee of Greater Boston, we had one full-time staff person and more than fifty volunteers who "staffed" locations across the region to sell UNICEF cards. It was then I first recognized the incredible importance of volunteers who work with the commitment of staff and staff whose passion motivates these volunteers.

This is true throughout the nonprofit sector: staff and volunteers make up the team. Volunteers set policy and govern on the boards of our nonprofits. Volunteers deliver meals and conversation to the housebound, mentor youths and tutor young scholars, act as guides to sight-challenged skiers and runners, monitor water quality and conduct the annual bird count, and so much more. At ESC of New England, our consultants volunteer their time so that ESC can offer the highest quality consulting services for the most affordable price.

National Volunteer Week is April 23-29. Whether you do something special for your volunteers in April or at another time of year, here are some questions to consider:

A philanthropist once told me that the appreciation gift he most treasured was a book selected by the executive director that she loved and believed he too would enjoy.