Volunteering
“Thank you”! Making sure volunteers are recognised
Making sure everyone’s contribution is recognised and valued
vital to keep volunteers involved, but we can too easily avoid
it or forget to do it. Should we look again at how we recognise
our volunteers.
We can be very good at giving thanks to volunteers when we know
they are leaving or resigning. It’s not clear however, that we
are so good at ensuring volunteers are thanked and recognised
while they remain involved and before they decide to leave.
Thinking about “recognition” in isolation can produce mixed reactions. A survey of volunteers conducted from Central Office revealed, for instance, that not everyone feels comfortable with the idea of singling out individuals for recognition. Perhaps this is because of inherent modesty or perhaps because of a view that credit for our successes goes to a team effort rather than any one contribution.
Nevertheless, our survey also revealed that recognition for volunteering efforts – whether individual or team - was seen as important and desirable for many. Certainly it would seem safe to conclude that volunteers who do not feel that their efforts are appreciated are more likely to feel undervalued and less likely to remain as volunteers.
The Ramblers is not unique among voluntary organisations,
however, to have a number of factors at work which inhibit the
recognition of volunteers.
One factor lies in the fact that volunteers in key committee
positions may be those who are most strongly motivated by the
Ramblers cause. This is invaluable, but can blinker
sensitivities to others whose involvement is also sustained more
by the social aspects or by the wish to be usefully occupied in
what could be one of many options.
A second lies in a culture where it can be seen to be socially unacceptable to seek or wish for recognition. If we are slightly embarrassed or uncomfortable about giving and receiving recognition ourselves, it may make it harder to recognise others.
A third factor lies around spending money. Organisations who are ultimately working for others can find it difficult to justify spending any money on thanking their volunteers.
These barriers all have the potential to inhibit recognition. Do we recognise them in our Groups? If so, can we challenge our natural reticence and be bolder in celebrating our own achievements and those of our fellow volunteers?
Of course, each Group knows its own individuals and modus operandi best in order to identify what concrete steps are appropriate.
The following are offered merely as suggestions of three ways that Groups could “build in” recognition and into the work of the committee.
Consciously celebrate success to members .
Whether this be a slot to say “thank you” at the AGM, or an annual feature of in the newsletter, let people know about the good work of others, whether individually or as part of a team.
Put on an event for volunteers.
It need not be billed as a formal way to say thankyou, but a social evening just for walk leaders, or a gathering for committee members could help to bond people together and serve as a much appreciated pat-on-the-back. Don’t be afraid to use some Group funds towards this, say, to buy the first drink or to buy the cake. Expenditure must be reasonable (if in doubt, our Finance Team can advise) but it’s not unacceptable to spend a small proportion of funds to show appreciation to those that do the work
Develop a clear expense policy.
Making sure you’re not out-of-pocket for volunteering sends a clear signal that your time is valued. A Group culture which is not shy about re-imbursing legitimate expenses in itself sends a large “thank you” to volunteers.