5 Essential Print Materials for Welcoming New Board Members & Volunteers

Imagine this: You're rolling out the welcome mat for new board members and volunteers, and poof! Your nonprofit is suddenly bubbling with fresh energy, brilliant ideas, and enough passion to power a rocket ship to the moon! Whether you're welcoming an entire dream team of board members or sprinkling in new volunteer superstars one by one, the right print materials can transform a simple "hello" into a confetti-cannon moment of connection that sets everyone up for spectacular success! 

Let's face it—first impressions matter! The way you introduce newcomers to your organization says everything about how much you value their contribution and sets the tone for their entire journey with your nonprofit. Ready to make your onboarding process something special? We've gathered five essential print materials every nonprofit needs to welcome new board members and volunteers with style and substance! 

1. Welcome Packets That Make a Great First Impression! 

Nothing says "we're so glad you're here!" like a professionally designed welcome packet that makes new team members feel valued from day one! 

Create custom folders filled with carefully selected materials that help newcomers understand not just what your organization does, but why it matters and how they'll make a difference. Include: 

• Personalized welcome letters that speak directly to each person (not just a generic "Dear Volunteer" greeting) 

• Visual mission impact summaries that bring your statistics to life with compelling infographics 

• Organizational charts that help everyone understand where they fit in the bigger picture 

• Contact information for key staff and fellow board members/volunteers 

Design Tip: Use bright, inviting colors that match your brand and include plenty of inspiring photos showing your mission in action! A welcome packet isn't just information—it's the beginning of a relationship that could transform your organization! 

2. Professional Name Badges & Business Cards 

Want to help new volunteers and board members feel "official" right away? Nothing beats personalized name badges and business cards that let them proudly represent your organization in the community!  

Business cards aren't just for the corporate world—they're powerful tools for your nonprofit ambassadors! When new board members can immediately hand out professional cards at networking events, you're not just making them feel valued; you're expanding your nonprofit's reach exponentially! 

Design Tip: Include your organization's mission statement on the back of business cards to help board members share your "why" with every handshake! For name badges, consider magnetic backings instead of pins—they're kinder to clothing and easier to put on! 

3. Orientation Materials That Inspire Action 

The right training materials don't just inform—they inspire! Transform dry policies and procedures into engaging resources that get newcomers excited about jumping in! 

Create colorful, easy-to-navigate materials that balance need-to-know information with inspiring content: 

• Board/Volunteer Handbooks: Make these accessible with clear sections, plenty of visuals, and inspiring stories 

• Role Description Cards: Pocket-sized reminders of key responsibilities and opportunities 

• Commitment Calendars: Attractive planners that outline meeting dates, events, and important milestones 

Design Tip: Break text-heavy information into digestible chunks with eye-catching headers, pull quotes, and callout boxes. Remember, orientation materials should energize, not overwhelm! 

4. Recognition Mementos to Show Immediate Appreciation  

Don't wait until the annual volunteer banquet to show appreciation! Start recognizing contributions from day one with thoughtful printed items that make newcomers feel valued immediately. 

Consider creating: 

• "Welcome Aboard" certificates that can be framed and displayed proudly 

• Personalized thank you cards to acknowledge first contributions or completed training 

• Small branded items like bookmarks or notepads that create a sense of belonging 

Design Tip: Add a personal touch with handwritten notes whenever possible. In our digital world, the impact of pen-to-paper appreciation is more powerful than ever! 

5. Event Materials to Build Your Team

Nothing builds community like gathering together! Create special event materials for welcome receptions, orientation sessions, or board retreats that help newcomers connect with your organization and each other. 

Make these gatherings memorable with: 

• Welcome banners that celebrate new team members by name  
  

• Photo backdrop signage for social media-worthy team pictures 

• Table tents for meetings that include names, roles, and even fun facts about each person 

• Agenda handouts that include icebreakers and relationship-building activities 

Design Tip: Incorporate your nonprofit's brand colors, but don't be afraid to add special touches just for these events—like a unique welcome logo with "Board Class of 2025" or themed graphics that include the specific event name ("Spring Volunteer Orientation"). Dating these materials makes them feel like commemorative keepsakes and creates a sense of cohort identity among new members!  

Next Steps for Success 

Ready to transform your onboarding process? Here are some quick tips to get started: 

• Start early! Begin designing welcome materials at least a month before new board members or volunteers arrive 

• Stay on brand while still making welcome materials feel special and distinctive 

• Balance information with inspiration to avoid overwhelming newcomers 

• Get input from recent recruits about what would have helped them feel more welcome 

• Create templates that can be easily updated for future onboarding needs 

<H2> How MissionPrint Can Help 

At MissionPrint, we understand that nonprofits need high-quality welcome materials that don't break the bank! That's why we offer: 

• Nonprofit preferred pricing that respects your budget constraints 

• Quick turnaround times for those last-minute board appointments 

• Customizable templates that make design a breeze, even if you don't have a graphic designer 

• Bundle options that give you better pricing when ordering multiple welcome items 

• Expert guidance from a team that understands nonprofit needs 

Remember, the print materials you create for new board members and volunteers aren't just paper—they're powerful tools that shape the way people engage with your mission from day one! With thoughtful design and messaging, these materials can transform someone from a casual supporter into a passionate advocate for your cause. 

Ready to create welcome materials that truly celebrate your newest team members? Click here to start designing today!  

Need more inspiration? Check out our Inspiration Hub for examples of welcome packets and volunteer materials that other nonprofits have created with MissionPrint!