At my Volunteer Dinner everyone gets a small gift. This year I am giving them a cone of candies with a heart on the tag saying "You are the heart of our organization". Each volunteer also gets a Thank Your certificate in recognition of the time they have given. The only time a special gift is given is at the 5 year, 10 year etc. anniversary. Hope this is helpful.

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Replying to:

This is a great question to ask the volunteer managers on the CyberVPM chat list. To join, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cybervpm

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In need of some great ideas! HELP!

In the past, the Crisis Center has had an annual volunteer event/banquet dinner. At that dinner, the way it has been done, has been to hand out various specific awards. Some are based on data, some are just because. Some of our current volunteers feel awards single people out, some love the awards, some are not here for the awards but for the good work we do. Help, what do I do about these specific awards. I can't make everyone happy, but I would like to benefit the majority.

Our group just made small 2 1/2" boxes with an under-sea background on them. On one square was the person's name. On another was "You are a Treasure". You can put whatever you want on the rest of the squares. Hot glue the box together, except for the lid, fill with foil-wrapped chocolate coins, or Hershey's Treasures candies.

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Replying to:

At my Volunteer Dinner everyone gets a small gift. This year I am giving them a cone of candies with a heart on the tag saying "You are the heart of our organization". Each volunteer also gets a Thank Your certificate in recognition of the time they have given. The only time a special gift is given is at the 5 year, 10 year etc. anniversary. Hope this is helpful.

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Replying to:

This is a great question to ask the volunteer managers on the CyberVPM chat list. To join, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cybervpm

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Replying to:

In need of some great ideas! HELP!

In the past, the Crisis Center has had an annual volunteer event/banquet dinner. At that dinner, the way it has been done, has been to hand out various specific awards. Some are based on data, some are just because. Some of our current volunteers feel awards single people out, some love the awards, some are not here for the awards but for the good work we do. Help, what do I do about these specific awards. I can't make everyone happy, but I would like to benefit the majority.

At last years Airport Volunteer Ambassador appreciation luncheon each person received a plastic champagne glass filled with chocolates and a ribbon around the base that said, "A toast to your great work Ambassador Volunteer!" or you put, "Cheers to you Volunteer!". At another event I gave each volunteer a roll of lifesaver's with a card attached that said, "You are a lifesaver Ambassador Volunteer!" One more idea, "We would be in a CRUNCH without our volunteers!". Attach this to a Nestle's Crunch Bar. Purchase the book called "Treat 'Em Right!, Tasty ideas for encouraging volunteers by Susan Cutshall. I hope these tips help out.

We too have our annual Xmas luncheon; however, we have 5 "fun awards" whereby the Vol.'s nominate amongst themselves. The award must be returned prior to the next years' luncheon; however the Certificate they retain. Simple awards that I made, here's an example: "Creative Thinker" - a piece of wood painted white with a light bulb glued to it and the plaque reads "Creative Thinker". The Certificate says, "individual who does not hesitate to be creative with new ideas". They all receive a general Thank You Certificate and a small gift of thanks, tree ornament, lapel pin. This way everyone gets the same thing, but the special awards were selected amongst themselves, taking you out of the picture. It's well received and they look forward to it each year - good luck! Deb,