Comments on: 3 Simple Ways to Recognize Volunteers Without Spending a Dime http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime Maine Conversations about Volunteer Management Mon, 6 Oct 2008 16:54:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Dorothy Grannell http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-78 Dorothy Grannell Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:14:36 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-78 Today is Valentine's Day. Have you sent your e-card to your volunteers to say how much you appreciate them and their work? It is usually free from most card sites, sometimes you can personalize it with a photo of the volunteers at work, and you can never say thank you too many times in too many ways! If you miss Valentine's Day there is always, St. Patrick's Day. Today is Valentine’s Day. Have you sent your e-card to your volunteers to say how much you appreciate them and their work? It is usually free from most card sites, sometimes you can personalize it with a photo of the volunteers at work, and you can never say thank you too many times in too many ways! If you miss Valentine’s Day there is always, St. Patrick’s Day.

]]> By: Christy Monroe http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-34 Christy Monroe Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:38:51 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-34 Thank you all for your comments. I've really enjoyed reading them. It seems to me that a theme has emerged -it's the little, old fashioned, tried and true methods of recognizing volunteers that count the most. Of course I'd never turn down an awards ceremony in my honor, but I wouldn't trade it for the smile when I walk through the door everyday and the personally delivered "thank you." Like Trudy says, empowering people daily, informally, and off the cuff gets great results. Thank you all for your comments. I’ve really enjoyed reading them. It seems to me that a theme has emerged -it’s the little, old fashioned, tried and true methods of recognizing volunteers that count the most.

Of course I’d never turn down an awards ceremony in my honor, but I wouldn’t trade it for the smile when I walk through the door everyday and the personally delivered “thank you.” Like Trudy says, empowering people daily, informally, and off the cuff gets great results.

]]> By: Kris Weeks Oliveri http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-31 Kris Weeks Oliveri Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:17:54 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-31 This is so basic but so important. It's one of those things we all "know" but it's so easy to forget to do. Thanks for the reminder. I have volunteers who thank ME for "letting them come in" - amazing! Sometimes even a post-it note is all it takes. And a smile - it speaks volumes. This is so basic but so important. It’s one of those things we all “know” but it’s so easy to forget to do. Thanks for the reminder. I have volunteers who thank ME for “letting them come in” - amazing! Sometimes even a post-it note is all it takes. And a smile - it speaks volumes.

]]> By: Steve Hoad http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-29 Steve Hoad Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:09:47 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-29 Well now: What else to say but "Thank You, Christie?" And to add a bit more: The thanks we receive are so often the best reward if delivered in person (that can be a hand written note, personal Email, phone call, etc.) It is probably more fulfilling than an large "awards dinner" simply because it is a personal reflection on the individual's service and an opportunity to give a bit of feedback and build energy toward the next volunteer task. Thanks also to MCCS for the blog! Well now: What else to say but “Thank You, Christie?” And to add a bit more: The thanks we receive are so often the best reward if delivered in person (that can be a hand written note, personal Email, phone call, etc.) It is probably more fulfilling than an large “awards dinner” simply because it is a personal reflection on the individual’s service and an opportunity to give a bit of feedback and build energy toward the next volunteer task. Thanks also to MCCS for the blog!

]]> By: Penny Kern http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-28 Penny Kern Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:09:44 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-28 I tried an idea I got from another volunteer manager. Since I was a one person office and on the road 6 out of 7 days, people got my answering machine a lot. I would leave congrats or thank yous to volunteers as part of my voicemail message. I could even recognize whole troops if it was appropriate. The only caution I have for doing such a public thank you is to make sure the volunteer or group would want it. I've worked with volunteers who absolutely hated public recognition so I'd check first. I tried an idea I got from another volunteer manager. Since I was a one person office and on the road 6 out of 7 days, people got my answering machine a lot. I would leave congrats or thank yous to volunteers as part of my voicemail message. I could even recognize whole troops if it was appropriate. The only caution I have for doing such a public thank you is to make sure the volunteer or group would want it. I’ve worked with volunteers who absolutely hated public recognition so I’d check first.

]]> By: Trudy Hamilton http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-16 Trudy Hamilton Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:16:13 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-16 Great job, Christy! One of the new ways our organization is beginning to recognize volunteers is by moving toward an informal recognition. What I mean by this is, in addition to the usual nominations for community service awards, our own recognition events, all handled through the Volunteer Manager (me), we are empowering the staff who supervise these volunteers on a daily basis to do informal, off the cuff things, like bringing in coffee and donuts on occassion, or ordering pizzas after a really tough week. This serves two purposes...the volunteers have a more regular show of appreciation from their supervisors, and the staff is really getting into the idea of being in control of some of these things. They have improved attitudes about working alongside volunteers, and an icreased awareness and appreciation of how the volunteer management piece affects them. Great job, Christy!

One of the new ways our organization is beginning to recognize volunteers is by moving toward an informal recognition. What I mean by this is, in addition to the usual nominations for community service awards, our own recognition events, all handled through the Volunteer Manager (me), we are empowering the staff who supervise these volunteers on a daily basis to do informal, off the cuff things, like bringing in coffee and donuts on occassion, or ordering pizzas after a really tough week.

This serves two purposes…the volunteers have a more regular show of appreciation from their supervisors, and the staff is really getting into the idea of being in control of some of these things. They have improved attitudes about working alongside volunteers, and an icreased awareness and appreciation of how the volunteer management piece affects them.

]]> By: Kala Stenehjem http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-15 Kala Stenehjem Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:06:31 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-15 I was wanting to write more but hit submit early... It is so true that a simple thank you can go a very long way. When there is so much work to be done and already so much that has been done, it often feels uplifting to hear "thank you" or "this really helps this project in this way". When there is no thank you or gratitude then the volunteer loses steam and most likely starts to feel a little hopeless. Hope for accomplishing a goal keeps us all going. I was wanting to write more but hit submit early…
It is so true that a simple thank you can go a very long way. When there is so much work to be done and already so much that has been done, it often feels uplifting to hear “thank you” or “this really helps this project in this way”. When there is no thank you or gratitude then the volunteer loses steam and most likely starts to feel a little hopeless. Hope for accomplishing a goal keeps us all going.

]]> By: Kala Stenehjem http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-14 Kala Stenehjem Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:02:01 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-14 Very nice, I love this stuff! Very nice, I love this stuff!

]]> By: Carla Ganiel http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-13 Carla Ganiel Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:52:29 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/3-simple-ways-to-recognize-volunteers-without-spending-a-dime#comment-13 I love to send good, old-fashioned, hand-written thank you notes. It seems like people hardly ever do this anymore, but it's such a great feeling to get a little note in the mail telling you that you made someone's day. I love to send good, old-fashioned, hand-written thank you notes. It seems like people hardly ever do this anymore, but it’s such a great feeling to get a little note in the mail telling you that you made someone’s day.

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