Tips from Hands on Network
Recognition makes volunteers feel appreciated and valued. If volunteers feel like their contribution is valuable or necessary, they are more likely to volunteer again. Volunteer recognition can take many forms, from a simple thank-you card to a large annual event. An ideal recognition system makes use of many different procedures, to have something for every volunteer and to keep it personal and meaningful.
Matching Recognition to Types of Volunteers
Volunteers have different personalities, are motivated to serve for different reasons, and in different ways. Therefore, you should use a variety of recognition methods for your volunteers. Tailor your recognition to individual volunteers, to make it most effective and meaningful.
By Motivational Orientation
Think about recognition that is appropriate for volunteers with different motivational needs.
- Achievement-oriented volunteers:
- Ideal result of recognition is additional training or more challenging tasks.
- Subject for recognition is best linked to a very specific accomplishment.
- Phrasing of recognition should include “Best” or “Most” awards.
- Recognition decision should include checkpoints or records.
- Awardees should be selected by co-workers or fellow voluntee
- Affiliation-oriented volunteers:
- Recognition should be given at a group event.
- Recognition should be given in presence of peers, family, or other bonded groups.
- Recognition should be timely.
- Recognition should have a personal touch.
- Recognition should be organizational in nature, given by organization.
- Recognition should be voted by peers.
- Power-oriented volunteers:
- Key aspect of recognition is “promotion,” conveying greater access to authority or information.
- Recognition should be commendation from “Names.”
- Recognition should be announced to community at large, put in newspaper, etc.
- Recognition decision should be made by the organization’s leadership.
By Style of Volunteering
You should also vary recognition for volunteers who serve one afternoon
- Long-term volunteer
- Recognition with and by the group
- Recognition items make use of group symbols
- Recognition entails greater power, involvement, information about the organization
- Presenter of recognition is a person in authority
- Short-term (episodic) volunteer
- Recognition is given in immediate work unit or social group
- Recognition is “portable” – something the volunteers can take with them when they leave, such as a present photograph, or other memorabilia
- Presenter is either the immediate supervisor or the client
Portions of the above information are taken from materials by Make A Difference, a member organization of Hands On Network; Volunteer Management by Steve McCurley and Rick Lynch (1997); http://www.serviceleader.org; and http://www.independentsector.org.
> Back to
Recognizing Volunteers <
|
   |
