Learning Opportunities as Thanks for Volunteers
Recognition

Gardening Theme
This year we used a gardening theme for our volunteer appreciation event. We invited Master Gardeners to do a demonstration and called it "All the Dirt on Container Gardening". It was an evening event with refreshments and desserts (also cheese, crackers and fruit for those with dietary limitations). At the end of the demonstration we raffled the 3 containers as door prizes. We also had small gifts for each volunteer - Herb starter kits. They were small plant containers with herb seeds, fertilizer sticks, soil and growing instructions. They had an small ornamental bird in the pot and a sign that said: "Volunteers love to share their Thyme". Submitted by Jerrie McLean, Administrative Assistant, Woolwich Community Health Centre, Ontario, Canada

Taking Volunteers to Court
Every year we plan a tour of our county courthouse and a luncheon with our county commissioners. Many of our volunteers love the tour, we visit places like the 911 center, the sheriff's office and recorder of deeds. When these volunteers see how the court house is run they are so amazed. Their favorite department is security. The chief of security always shows them weapons that people have brought into the court house. Submitted by Edward Callahan, Coordinator Volunteer Services, Children's Cultural Center

Chips and Chat
Each year before our busy season starts we host a feedback session where we invite all our volunteers to our office for dinner and discussion. In the past we have called these sessions "chips and chat" and "pizza and parley". This evenings are a chance for our volunteers to share what they think about how we are doing as an organization and where we should be moving to in the future. It gives them a sense of ownership and stake in the orginization. It also lets them know that we as managers are interested and listening to what they have to say and that we care about their opinions. Submitted by Drew Gulyas, Assistant Camp Director, Camp Oochigeas

Gifts Galore
We have a speaker that gives a mini-seminar about the ten gifts that each of us have. Our tables are decorated with gifts (wrapped empty packages). We ask that each volunteer bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food pantry and a gift to pass on to another. Submitted by Desiree Larson, Volunteer Coordinator, Women' s Way, North Dakota

Ask Your Volunteers
This year, we asked our 25 volunteers what they would like to do for a recognition event. The general consensus was we do something fun (go to a museum or gallery) or have the opportunity to learn something new. The Volunteer Connection is hosting a staff prepared lunch. One of our staff is an art gallery director and photographer. She will teach us the art of creating Polaroid transfers from a picture we take or a colored slide we bring. We are also having a guest poet teach us the art of writing poetry which we will share with each other. The entire event is scheduled over a four hour period. Submitted by Charlotte Smith Neyland, Director of Services, Volunteer Connection East of Longmont

Giving Back to Yourself
I had done a survey on what volunteers thought about our volunteer program and many of the surveys indicated that park volunteers really enjoyed what they do but they would like more training. I was determined to use volunteer recognition as a means to kick-off volunteer training opportunities throughout the year. As a result, I developed my own workshop-Giving Back to Yourself This was a one day motivational workshop put on during National Volunteer Week. It opened with a Board of Park Commissioner and Executive Director giving park wide updates, followed by a short film and two great motivational speakers. Volunteers asked questions, got some answers, meditated and left feeling a renewed sence of commitment to the parks and to themselves. It was one of the best recognitions we have had. Submitted by Merle Walker, Volunteer Program Manager, Lake Metroparks

Resume Writing
In my volunteer program at the Philadelphia Family Court, we recognized graduating student volunteers with a special seminar on resume writing, with emphasis on how they could describe their volunteer work as a credential that would impress prospective employers or university admissions officers. Submitted by Susan J. Ellis, Energize, Inc.

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