The Value of Recognition

By Geoff Woliner

Time. It's a cherished commodity that all of us wish were in greater supply. More time for family. More time for personal pursuits. More time at the office to finish projects. It seems that in this day and age, we have an increasing number of tasks and a decreasing window in which to accomplish them all. For ASTD volunteers, this is the centerpiece of an age old internal struggle: "I love volunteering, but how to can I fit it in with my other obligations?"

Far too often, organizations take their volunteers for granted. There is a sense that when someone is elected as a V.P. of Finance, V.P. of Membership, or V.P. of Programs, that this individual is honor-bound to complete their board assignments on time, in full, and error-free. While many do their level best to achieve these results, this work is often done in between a conference call at work, a client visit, a run to the bank, dropping the kids off at soccer practice, or making a run to the dry cleaners. Personal time devoted to volunteerism is a tremendous commitment and must always be met with a loud "Thank you!"

There is no such thing as too many kudos. No one has ever been upset due to an excess of praise. There has never been a meeting in which an individual recognized for excellence has stormed out of the room in disgust. The smallest gestures of appreciation are the greatest tools a chapter has in keeping their volunteers happy and motivated. The strongest chapters, and the ones with the best lines of succession, are the ones in which people are valued, recognized for their contributions, and given the chance to shine.

Praise and appreciation are critical tools that must be employed in both the public and private spheres. While a general membership announcement highlighting what a great job the V.P. of Programs had done in arranging an event, it's every bit as powerful to approach the individual after the event and offer personal thanks for the hard work they put into making the program a success. Taking a moment before each board meeting and general program to individually recognize the accomplishments of volunteers, is one way that chapters can ensure volunteers will continue to serve and operate at a high level.

Posting a testimonial on LinkedIn is a great way to demonstrate to the public how important a volunteer has been, and allows their accomplishments to be showcased. It is also the best way to recruit your next generation of volunteers. If others see that current volunteers are appreciated and cared for within an organization, they are far more likely to give their time to the group.

There is a critical level of understanding that must be met in never forgetting that board members are in fact volunteers with many other obligations. If a board member misses a meeting due to an obligation at work or with their family, they should be filled in on what they missed to keep the communication as seamless as possible.

Finally, chapter awards such as "volunteer of the year" are an excellent way to tangibly reward service to the chapter volunteers. Small tokens of appreciation such as gift cards, no matter their value, are a great way to not only demonstrate the impact an individual has made, but is the best antidote to the dreaded phenomenon of burnout. In closing, as you lead your next meeting, ask yourself this question, "Have I thanked my fellow volunteers today?"