Recognition and Retention Recognition Retention are linked Volunteers

Recognition and Retention

Recognition & Retention are linked Volunteers who feel valued and that their work is appreciated will stay with you as long as they can. Volunteers who feel unappreciated and/or not useful will leave – and not feel good about their work, or your agency.

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• Recognition – The values given volunteers, tangible & intangible are what keep then coming back and stimulates them to tell others about their good experience which feeds back to recruitment.

• Tangible – formal recognition, with meals, speakers, gifts, years of service awards. • Intangible – the everyday thank you for coming, training, safe place for their coat, coffee, being included.

Formal Recognition During volunteer week you are almost required to do something, everyone else is.

Nothing the matter with… • Luncheons • Certificates for years or hours of service As long it is what the majority of your volunteers would like, our last survey, 5 years ago showed only 8% of our volunteers wanted this kind of recognition.

Against my better judgement • I recently gave one of our lovely volunteers, during volunteer week, a certificate for 1000 hours of service. • I just went down (gathering a few people) when she was working and made the announcement.

And of course • Other people who have passed that landmark didn’t get a certificate heard about it… • A good reminder that you need to treat people equitably and transparently.

Retention • Retention starts with the first contact your organization has with a potential volunteer. Your ability to attract and retain new volunteers is strongly related to the reputation you have within your current volunteer group.

Retention starts early With the creation of the volunteer role • Is this something that would be enjoyable? • Is this something that makes a difference? • Is this using not just their hands but also their hearts and their brains?

This is also Recognition • This organization realizes that I am capable and competent • This organization allows me to see the benefits of my efforts • This organization knows that even though I am volunteering my time has value

Retention in interviewing • Interview like a professional. It will demonstrate from the beginning this role is important. • Don’t take everyone, it will automatically mean to those you take they are special.

Recognition Is ongoing, all the time, not just a few times a year. Every step along the way think about recognition.

Everyday, all the time

Celebrate every holiday

“fortunate” to have you

Postcards then cut in 1/2

Wordle word clouds

Also as recognition And retention I post information about upcoming events, training sessions, anything going on at the site they might be interested in… I also post things I think are funny.

You only need to come up with a couple, then people will send them to you

Cyclists will feel valued if there is a safe place to leave their bike

Holding up a picture frame

Adults want to be smart

Help your volunteers to do a good job, they will be grateful

Training helps everyone enjoy the visit

Its lots of work but the friendships that develop are priceless

Visiting volunteers • Need training to do a good job. • They need ongoing support, maybe bimonthly check ins? • Need to have a phone number they can call • They need to remember boundaries.

Laundry volunteers

Pet visitors love the fountain

touching

Safe free parking

Monthly draw

Loot locker

teach others every opportunity

Model good behaviour

Gratitude looks different

Flu shot reminders

Umbrellas the most popular

Recognition • Christine has been volunteering for you for one year. She could well be your favourite if you had favourites in your volunteers that of course you don’t……

Your Budget a) $25. 00 to spend on Christine b) Exactly nothing but could probably find $1. 00

• • With $25. 00 you could buy Beautiful flower bouquet Gift card for her favourite coffee place A glass keepsake

• Or because you took good notes during the interview you know that Christine is volunteering because she is interested in making a personal connection with some of your clients

• With your $1. 00 you could • Buy a thank you card and have the client write a personal note – give her this note with a cup of tea with other volunteers talking about her one year of service

Which one is better? For most people “It’s the thought that counts” really. Unfortunately, being thoughtful is time consuming. Fortunately, being thoughtful is not expensive.

Your Recognition • What is it? • What you got it for? • How did you get it? – in the mail, at an event, in hallway… • How did you feel about it?

• So, when people call me and say they can’t do volunteer recognition because they don’t have any money – I often correct them and say no, really you don’t have enough time.

• If you are going to do individual recognition you will need to develop some system to capture information – like drinks red wine, owns a sailboat, environmentalist

Piles of money would be nice

Why volunteers remain committed • They can see that their presence does make a difference • They feel appreciated • There is a chance for advancement • Opportunity for personal growth • They receive public and private recognition • Their personal needs are being met

• They feel capable of handling the tasks offered • There is a sense of belonging and teamwork • They are involved in the administrative process, like problem solving, decision making and objective setting • They recognize something significant is happening

So, I hope this helped

Thank you, thank you very much

Please email me if you have any questions or would just like someone to listen to your ideas. carol. dixon@shaw. ca