Monday, June 27, 2011

The Three F’s of Volunteer Recognition: Food, Fun, and Fame part 2 of 3

Volunteer Recognition, part 2 of 3, Fun
Guest Blog by Tibby Larson
HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley  
In the first blog I told you about a rule for volunteer recognition that I like; the three F’s - Food, Fun & Fame. This time I’m blogging about FUN for volunteers and staff! How you define FUN for your volunteers will depend on your organization and the function of your volunteers.

Here are a few ideas to create fun for volunteers (and the staff who work with them).
  1. Smile at volunteers when you see them.
  2. Cut a comic strip out of the Sunday paper and tape it up on the wall near the copy machine or near the supply closet.
  3. Hang up a white board and write a word of the day, or message of the week on it that will make people smile when they see it (it’s ok to be silly if you feel comfortable with it).
  4. Start each meeting with a clean and appropriate joke, there are lots of them to be found on the internet. If it’s appropriate at your organization, have different clothing days for staff and volunteers such as Duck or Beaver colors day, funny hat day, western day, or inside-out day.
  5. Root beer float gatherings are fun in the summer, hot chocolate parties are fun in the winter. These ideas combine FOOD & FUN!
  6. Every now and then, for a holiday, I’ll create a little card on the computer with this poem, tape a fancy tea bag to it and hand them out to volunteers: “On (Valentines, Veterans, etc…) day, at half past three, brew yourself a cup of tea. I’ll think of you and you think of me!”

I’m sure that many of you volunteer managers would enjoy some fun during these dark and rainy winter days. Make it a priority to create some with your volunteers and staff!

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