Training Busy Staff

to Succeed with Volunteers:

The 55-Minute Training Series
Copyright 2007
Betty Stallings

Energize, Inc.

Volunteer Recognition
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
S-1
Learning Objectives
Discuss the power of recognition in your own
lives.
Identify personal and organizational barriers to
giving recognition; propose solutions.
Explore ways of giving formal and informal
recognition in our organizations.
Review essential guidelines for giving effective
recognition.
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Activity Personal Experiences
Think about volunteer recognition in your own
life:
What kind have you received?
How meaningful was it?

What did you learn about recognition as you
listened to the other participants tell about
their experiences with it?


2007, Betty Stallings - Energize, Inc.
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4 Key Concepts
1. Recognition is an ongoing, integral part of
the management process.
2. Recognition can be formal or informal and
can be given often.
3. Recognition should be meaningful to the
recipient.
4. Recognition can be creative and fun to give
and receive.

2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Key Concept 1
Recognition is an ongoing integral part of the
management process, not only the banquet
or certificate given annually.
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Organizational Barriers to Recognition
Time
Competition among volunteers for
recognition
Paid staff not feeling recognized
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Key Concept 2
Recognition can be formal or informal and
can be given on many occasions during the
volunteer's involvement with the organization.
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Formal Recognition
Annual awards ceremonies and banquets
National Volunteer Week
Major values:
Builds community spirit among volunteers
Publicly recognizes volunteers and attracts
others to join

2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Caution!
If youre not careful, formal recognition
can:
Make staff think the annual event replaces
daily "thank yous"
Be impersonal
Be costly (some volunteers might object)
Be inflexible and therefore might only have
meaning to old-timers
Can you think of other possible pitfalls?
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Informal Recognition
How we say thank you in day-to-day ways.
Can you identify methods of showing
appreciation?
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Discussion Question:
What ways do we currently recognize
volunteers and how could we enhance our
recognition during these and other times?
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Key Concept 3
Recognition should be meaningful to the
person being thanked and should be given in
a timely manner.
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Meaningful to Each Person
Different strokes for different folks.
Not everyone likes what we like.
When recognizing many volunteers at once,
you can still plan different activities for
different tastes.
Give recognition as soon as possible after the
task is accomplished.
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Discussion Question
How are we currently personalizing our
volunteer recognition and what could we be
doing to enhance our efforts?
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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Key Concept 4
Recognition can be creative and fun to give
and receive and is best when associated with
an organization's culture and type of service.

Activity:
Creative Ways to Recognize Volunteers
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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To Review
The best volunteer recognition is the most
suitable placement.
Recognition must be meaningful to recipients,
not to the person giving the recognition.
Formal awards should feel sincere and based
on the impact of the work accomplished.
Volunteer recognition should be timely.
2007, Betty Stallings Energize, Inc.
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To Review
Use clear criteria so that awards feel fair and
deserved.
Many acts of recognition can be
spontaneous, personal, and not costly.
Short-term volunteers are best recognized at
the work unit level with the group with which
they interact.
Long-term volunteers generally like
recognition within the larger group setting.