1. 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

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

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

5. Why Say Thanks?

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

7. 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

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

9. Tip #4: Connect accomplishments and thanks

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

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

13. 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

14. Types of Volunteer Motivation
Affiliation
Achievement
Influence

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Preferred Way of Networking

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

19. 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.

20. Preferred Way to Show Proof of Impact

23. 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.

24. 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.

28. Tip #6: Not Everyone Likes Mint

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

30. Reflection