MAY I HELP YOU? | THE VOLUNTEER

WITH FLORENCE MAY

APRIL IS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month!

It is that special time to celebrate the very people who make our events happen each year. This is the moment to honor the contributions of volunteers who donate their time and talents to your community event.

So, you’ve thrown that appreciation party with a local celebrity emcee, pizza and a thoughtful gift for each volunteer? Was it personalized merchandize with a thank you note? A framed quote? A cute bag of pretzels with the message: “We would KNOT succeed without you”?

Perhaps you went the extra mile featuring your sponsors and partners in the volunteer award program while highlighting volunteer acts of inspiration and extraordinary service to your event.

But maybe you didn’t.

Perhaps inflation is impacting your budget. Maybe you didn’t have the capability to communicate with all your volunteers. Or are you (like everyone else) still trying to figure out the best way to maneuver the corona chaos?

Whether you went all out or you are trying to get the basics together, the act of recognizing our volunteers in a social manner is important. Recognition builds connection and is part of a good retention program. Volunteers (like all of us) appreciate a personal pat-on-the-back with notice that you see their efforts.

You and your entire organization want those positive relations.

Plan B

A party or a gift during volunteer appreciation month is a nice touch. But there are many more opportunities. What if you made the goal to make regular contact with your volunteers throughout the year? Once a month? Sounds like a lot but contacts don’t have to be time consuming. Here are a few ideas:

• Begin an Inspiration Honor Roll for acts of service, kindness and/or civic engagement. Ask your volunteers and fellow staff to make nominations.

• Pick a volunteer to feature on social media each quarter. Ask volunteers why they volunteer and to share their favorite volunteer memories and photos.

• Recognize volunteers with online awards. Make the awards fun and creative.

• Gifts for your most dedicated volunteers. Who works the most hours? Who works the hardest jobs? Who has been volunteering for the longest period of time? Are you using your volunteer platform to track?

• Invite volunteers to post a positive vision on a creative wall space in your office.

• Discover volunteers with special talents to feature (e.g. musical, artistic, athletic, gardening) in your programming.

• Partner with Sponsors to start “A Good Deed Day!” Work with partners to host an outdoor clean-up day or to do spring plantings to improve your event site and show appreciation to your community.

• Get a big group photo with all of your volunteers to share.

• Send birthday or valentine cards to your volunteers. Make that personal touch.

• Tell the volunteer story. Document and share what impact the volunteers are making for your event and your community.

Volunteers who feel needed and appreciated are likely to continue their service. And they are likely to share their experiences with others. Remember that Word of Mouth recommendations and invitations from trusted volunteers are the best recruiting tools!

So, let’s extend the volunteer recognition program to a year round activity. It feels good to say Thank You!

Florence May is the Founder and President of TRS Volunteer Solutions. Her company provides myTRS Software for hundreds of Festivals, Conventions, Non-Profits, corporations and Sports Commissions. Among these support for 26 Final Fours, 5 Super Bowls, 2 Republican National Conventions, 2 Democratic National Conventions, 18 F1 Races, 12 Special Olympic Organizations, Indy 500 Events and so many others. Flory is a national Speaker, Author and Workshop Leader on Volunteer Management Trends. You may contact Flory with volunteer management questions at fmay@my-trs.com or 317.966.6919. And there is a library of volunteer management resources at www.my-trs.com/articles.

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