Rob Podlasek World-Renown Volunteer Recognition Expert It Doesn’t Have to Be a Gift Card: Free and Low-Cost Ways to Say Thanks to Volunteers Rob Podlasek World-Renown Volunteer Recognition Expert

Agenda Welcome and Warm Up Principles of Volunteer Recognition Volunteer Motivations Volunteer Recognition Ideas

Warm Up: What is your favorite and least favorite way to be thanked?

Why Say Thanks?

Tip #1: Recognize the Behavior You Want to Encourage Longevity/Volume Complexity Leadership Impact Specific Skill

Tip #2: Deliver recognition in an open, public way…and in person. Balance personalization with consistency Establish organizational guidelines Don’t annoy your accountant The IRS is watching

Tip #3: Reward contribution close to the time an achievement is realized. Good Recognition is ongoing.

Tip #4: Connect accomplishments and thanks

I like it when you… Thanks for… Here is your certificate for…

Tip #5: Tailor your thanks to the people involved.

In order to tailor your thanks to the people involved, what do you need to know about the people involved? Personal interests Why motivated to volunteer Why motivated to volunteer in ABE/ESL

Types of Volunteer Motivation Affiliation Achievement Influence

Affiliation Seeks socialization opportunities. Gets involved with group projects. Likes to have a personal relationship with supervisor. Needs to be perceived as a good person. Needs to be liked.

Ideas for Thanking Cards, gifts, etc. on their birthdays, or special holidays. Letters to supervisors telling of their work to benefit people. Unexpected thank you notes. Awards that are personalized with a thank you from client served. Opportunities to give input about specific clientele needs. Banquets, luncheons, picnics, social outings or attending community events as a group. Include volunteers in slide shows or photos showing their work.

Preferred Way of Networking

Achievement Needs specific goals with boundaries and feedback. Has a desire to achieve unique accomplishments. Needs to measure success. Seeks responsibility. Needs tangible rewards.

Ideas for Thanking Tangible awards, plaques, or pins that can be displayed. Letters of commendation for specific accomplishments from board members and to area newspapers. Opportunity to use their own ideas to attain goals. Include in staff meetings when appropriate. Nomination for area, state or national awards. Careful not to waste their time. Color name tags, badges to honor time spent with the agency. Remind them that they are needed. Everyday.

Preferred Way to Show Proof of Impact

Influence Needs to impact and influence others. Enjoys teaching others. Seeks position of authority and responsibility. Responds to titles that depict authority; has strong feelings about status and prestige.

Ideas for Thanking Impressive job title. Ongoing program or site name for them. Recognition that is broad-based that will be seen by people in authority and power. Letter of commendation noting their impact and importance sent to newspapers, colleges, and magazines. Send them to seminars for volunteers and ask them to teach others. Introduce them to people of influence and media contacts. Give them the opportunity for input into the agency direction and decisions.

Tip #6: Not Everyone Likes Mint

Tip #7: Recognize recognition That is, recognize people who recognize others for doing what’s best for the organization.

Reflection