Saying Thank You to Outgoing Board Members (4 Ways with Examples)

Acknowledging your outgoing board members is an important part of showing your appreciation for their service.

After all, these individuals have dedicated their time and energy to ensure the success of your organization!

Here are four different ways you can say thank you to outgoing board members and ensure they leave with a smile, fond memories, and a send-off that they’ll remember!

Saying Thank You to Outgoing Board Members: 4 Ways With Examples

Writing Them Thank You Letters

Probably the most common way to say thank you to outgoing board members is by writing them a thank you note or letter.

Here are some examples of short thank you notes you write to outgoing board members:

• “Thank you for your years of service and dedication to our board. Your contributions of ideas, energy, and enthusiasm have been invaluable.”
• “I want to thank you for your committed service on our board. Your enthusiasm and thoughtful guidance helped us accomplish so much.”
• “Your wise counsel and friendship have been an asset to our board and we are truly grateful for your service. Thank you!”
• “We really appreciate your hard work and dedication to our board. Thanks for all you have done and all the best for the future.”
• “Just wanted to send you a heartfelt thanks for your leadership, service, and commitment to our board. We couldn’t have done it without you and you’ll be missed!”

Giving Them Public Recognition

Another good way to say thank you to outgoing board members is by publicly recognizing and celebrating their service. You can do this in a number of ways, such as:

• Making an announcement or presentation and publishing it on your website.
• Creating an award or certificate of appreciation.
• Using social media to thank them publicly.
• Writing a letter to the editor in your local newspaper or another publication linked to your industry.

Here are some examples of public recognition for outgoing board members:

• “We would like to thank our outgoing board member for their years of service and dedication to the organization. They have been instrumental in helping us reach our goals and wish them all the best for the future!”
• “We would like to recognize our outgoing board member for their tireless efforts and commitment to our organization. They have been a tremendous asset and we are grateful for their service.”
• “We would like to express our gratitude to our outgoing board member for their hard work and dedication. Their guidance, energy, and enthusiasm have been invaluable.”

Related content:
Examples of thank you notes and letters to send committee members;
Examples of how to thank someone for their patience and understanding;

Hosting an ‘Outgoing’ Party

Organizing an event to celebrate outgoing board members and their service can be a great way to show your appreciation.

You can invite all of the board members to attend and make it a fun evening with food, drinks, music, and activities.

Here are some examples of the kind of thing you could do to make your event special and memorable:

• Present outgoing board members with a special memento or gift.
• Invite a keynote speaker to give a speech.
• Ask the outgoing board members to share stories from their time on the board.
• Have a slideshow or video with pictures of their time on the board.
• Invite other local organizations and community members to celebrate your outgoing board members.

The opportunities are endless, I’m sure you’ll be able to think of something specific to your company or board members.

Giving Them a Leaving Gift

Giving a leaving gift or token of appreciation is an excellent way to say thank you and show your appreciation for the outgoing board member’s service.

Here are some examples of gifts you could give to outgoing board members:

• A personalized journal or notebook with a thank you message.
• A gift basket with their favorite items.
• An inscribed photo frame or album of memories from their time on the board.
• A book related to their field of expertise.
• A gift voucher for a restaurant or experience they’ll enjoy.

Whatever you choose, make sure you also include a card with a heartfelt message of thanks and appreciation.

Wrapping Up

These are just some ideas on how to properly thank an outgoing board member for their service.

Saying thank you and showing your appreciation is an important part of acknowledging the contribution they have made to your organization.

No matter what method you choose, make sure to be sincere and genuine in your appreciation – that’s the important thing here.

Your outgoing board member will surely remember and appreciate the gesture for a long time to come and help you end on the best possible terms.

Image credits – Photo by Smartworks Coworking on Unsplash