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Access our news feedVolunteer Recognition Banquets and Parties with a Twist
Recognition
Volunteers Plant the Seeds of Kindness
This year we chose the theme "Volunteers Plant the Seeds of Kindness." We served a breakfast themed brunch and had our director sing a few songs to our guests. On the appreciation certificates that each volunteer was presented with, we printed the words, "Volunteers plant the seeds of kindness, thank you for planting yours with us!" As a gift to each of our volunteers, we had a wildflower seed packet, a lapel pin with flowers on it, and a personalized chocolate bar. To decorate the room, we had a photo of each volunteer in a flower frame on the wall, vases with brightly colored flowers on each table, and white table clothes to make the room bright, inviting and festive. Everyone had a great time!
Submitted August 11 2009 by Amanda Reid
Wizard of Oz
This year's banquet we did a take on the "Wizard of Oz." Everything we did we did around the story. We had a skit that the staff performed; "Looking for home". Dorothy was looking for a home to volunteer and along the way met the scarecrow who needed committment to volunteer, the tinwoman was looking for the heart and compassion for volunteering and the lion needed courage. It was fun and if you want more on this please feel free to email me at: kaenan @ familyctr.org
Submitted on May 5, 2009
Volunteer "All Stars"
We honored our all star volunteers with a baseball themed event. Everyone got a t-shirt that said "Children's Ministry All Stars." The tables were covered with green and then a masking taped diamond and bases were used to decorate. We had hot dogs, nachos & cracker jacks with vendors yelling "ice cream." Tickets were drawn for a local baseball team.
Submitted on May 5, 2009 by Jamie Barwikowski
"A World of Thanks"
was the theme for our volunteer dinner last year. I ordered globe balloons that we filled with helium and tied to logoed mugs and used those for table centerpieces and door prizes. I filled the mugs with fortune cookies and swiss chocolate. The dinner buffet featured foods that represented different countries: a stir fry bar, an Italian pasta bar,an American barbeque station and French dessert samples complete with an Eifel Tower. For personal favors I found molded chocolate in the shape of a globe. For entertainment, I had a high school teacher present a travelog slide program of her recent trip overseas. When we presented awards I recognized our volunteers "World Class" service to our guests. Our volunteer of the year was presented with items made in other countries. Many volunteers said it was the best meal and program we had ever had.
Submitted on February 6, 2009 by Jayne Rice
"A Year to Celebrate" Recognition Event
I themed our annual event as a Birthday Party for all the volunteers, I set up twelve tables, each themed for a month of the year. The volunteers were seated at the table for their birthday month. January was a New Year's theme, February was Valentine's Day, September was "Back to School" with books and rulers, and so on. The gift bag for each table fit the month using colored lunch sacks and appropriate treats or small items in each one. I ordered birthday items from Oriental Trading Company including rubber duckies with appropriate themes or birthday party hats on them. I hired a clown to pose for pix with the 'birthday kids' and she also provided wands, balloon hats and balloon animals that she created. Photos were taken in front of a 6 foot blow-up birthday cake also ordered from Oriental Trading. Of course there was a birthday cake and cupcakes for dessert! This event was inexpensive because of advance planning and being able to purchase the tablecloths, holdiay or seasonal napkins and table decorations on clearance. I also brought decorations from my own home to use, too. It was great to see the volunteers running around to each table to look at them and check out other people's birthday bags!
Submitted on September 30, 2008 by Tammy Nodland
Casual Barbecue Offers Time for the Personal Touch
For our Volunteer Appreciation event, we had a fun and casual BBQ. We hired a great Marimba band that added a lively vibe to the BBQ. The band invited audience participation so people could try out the marimba or congos, dance, or just listen. We had door prizes (gift cards to local restaurants, movie theaters, bookstores, and coffee cards, as well as some nice wine from local vineyards.) We did not include a formal recognition ceremony due to feedback we had received from volunteers at previous events. We felt it was important to recognize EVERY volunteer rather than single people out. So we presented the awards to them individually. It really worked out well. No one felt left out if they didn't receive a reward because we all expressed our appreciation to them personally. Staff and volunteers really had time to mingle and get to know each other better. We had done formal banquets in the past - but everyone loved the relaxed and fun atmosphere so we will definitely do this again!
Submitted on August 8, 2008 by Sarah Varick
Angelic Celebration
I work as an educational assistant at a public school. We wanted to acknowledge the work from our volunteers. I held a volunteer celebration with the theme "Volunteers are...our Everyday Angels." It was all angel-themed--even the door prizes! I used cotton batting as clouds, blue table cloths as the sky, and purchased small angel things from the dollar store for each table. It was a POPULAR theme and a hit!
Submitted on 29 April 2008 by Tammy Chambers
Winter WONDERland
For our annual Cheers for Volunteers Dinner, our theme was "Our WONDERful Volunteers." We turned our multi-purpose room in the museum into a winter wonderland filled with fake snow, icicle displays, a snowman and other holiday-themed decor. We had a photographer on site that took pictures of each of the volunteers and placed them in a keepsake frame with our logo as their special gift. I had snowglobes with an image of the museum inside created and we contacted a number of local businesses for gift donations like gift cards, mugs, tickets, etc. We even received items from the local sports teams to use as giveaways. Finally, I had a chocolatier make chocolate-covered apples for each volunteer and they also received a personalized, dated Christmas ornament. Starting early with the planning allowed me to get several items donated which made me come about 25% under budget. I have already started for this year's event.
Submitted on 12 March 2008 by Kimberly Moore
Magical Moment
"Celebrate the Magic of Volunteering" was the theme to our 2007 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. I'm sure it wasn't my original idea, so THANK YOU to whomever shared it! Our colors were red, silver and black with stars as accents, we made centerpieces out of top hats with curling ribbon, onion grass and crumpled foil picks (they looked great!), had star-shaped memo holders as favors, and our entertainment was a magician! It was a hit!
Submitted on 15 January 2008 by Traci Lato
Books Make Themes Memorable
Our volunteer rescue squad was established in 1940, but just last year we began using a "theme" to spice up our annual Banquet & Installation of Officers. The theme that year was "Volunteering." I ordered 200 copies of "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul" at the non-profit cost directly from the publisher, and a local business was kind enough to fund this purchase. Each squad member and guest received a book, and the keynote speech was geared around volunteering. This was a hit!
This year our theme was "Mentoring to Make a Difference," and this year's book was "Mentor: The Kid & the CEO" (the purchase funded once again by a local business.) Tables were decorated with candle-lit hurricane lamps, surrounded by rings of live greenery and fresh mint sprigs for the centerpiece--the "Mentor" theme smelled wonderful! We also spread Andes' mints around the centerpieces. Our speakers both gave outstanding speeches about their personal mentoring experiences and encouraged everyone to become a mentor, whether in a volunteer agency, in a school, at home, etc.
The gift of a book as a memento makes our event's message/theme more personal and remembered. Plus we encourage our members and guests to "pay it forward" by giving their book to someone else after they've read it.
Submitted on 15 October 2007 by Barbara Branham
Good Fortune
At our annual dinner this year we went with the theme "Volunteers: Our Good Fortune Since 1972!” I was able to order fortune cookies with personalized messages, and 1/2 pint takeout boxes from Fancy Fortune Cookies. Each volunteer received a box with two cookies (two different messages), a sticker with our logo and theme, and some ribbon to add a little color. I would definitely recommend Fancy Fortunes -- they have reasonable prices, allow you to create five free messages per order, and are very easy to work with! Plus, being able to track my order on-line was a great stress reliever.
Submitted on 27 April 2007 by Eva Treuer
Special Themes, Donated Desserts
Our nature center is
occasionally rented out for special events. For our volunteer party,
I have one of the caterers donate an hors d'oeuvre party with desserts
for 150 guests. This year our theme is ponds, and the round tables
will look like giant lily pads. Our preschool will make giant bugs
to put on the pillars. Because I freed up the budget for food, I
now can give a better gift to the volunteers. I always look for
something useful, so this year we have a local artist/member make
pottery plates with a turtle on them.
Submitted on 17 April 2007 by Laurie Haig
"Oui"
appreciate you!
A way for managers to show appreciation for support staff! Set up
the breakroom or lunchroom with tables and chairs, using real tablecloths
and real dishes. Use stemware for juice, etc. Serve quiche, fresh
fruit and croissants, and have the managers serve these items wearing
berets. Borrow a cd of French music from the local library and play
that during the breakfast. This is a personal touch to let staff
know how much you appreciate them! And if everyone chips in (all
the managers), it should be inexpensive to do as well!
Submitted on 10 April 2007 by Crystal Brown
Laissez les
bons temps rouler!
In Louisiana, food is everything to my volunteers. Each year I throw
a crawfish boil for my annual volunteer recognition party. I'm afraid
if I decided to serve something different, there would be a riot
because everybody looks forward to the traditional fare. This year
additional foods have been added to recognize our culture -- jambalaya
and fried catfish. We don't have a special theme other than Laissez
les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!). I usually
have around 150 volunteers show up, which includes our volunteer
Board members. It gives everyone the opportunity to socialize in
a relaxed enviroment.
Submitted on 3 April 2007 by Bonnie Bordelon
Where Were You
In '72
This was the theme of our annual volunteer banquet. Our organization
is 35 years old this year. We dressed up in the 70's. The programs
were just like a 1972 yearbook. Our place mats were a collage of
volunteer pictures with the other side written notes from the staff
just like we did in our yearbooks. We had a "pet rock"
for a favor. I was able to download a box from the internet and
put our logo on it. We put them together and put in rocks and instructions.
We also made a set of the "Price is Right" and gave away
a door prize for the winner.
Submitted on 13 March 2007 by Mindy Sakmar
A Feather in Your
Cap
Last year for our Annual Meeting and Recognitions Dinner we used
the theme
"put a feather in your caps ". On each table we made top
hats out of
construction paper with fabric bows, and under the hats there was
a fabric
square to match the bow on that particular hat. We had feathers
in each
hat. The following items were weaved into our presentation throughout
the
evening. 1) "The Recognition Committee would also like to let
everyone one
to know that we are presenting pins for Membership Milestones for
25 years
and up. It has been a custom of many different groups of people
all over the
world, including Native Americans, to put a feather in the headgear
of the
warrior for each enemy defeated in battle. So we honor our volunteers
for
their victories large and small in service to the girls of Montachusett
Council." 2) We have over ___ volunteers who need to put a
"feather in
their cap" for helping girls reach their dreams.
Submitted on 6 March 2007 by Laura Dilts, Manager
of Adult Development Girl Scouts of Montachusett, Council, Inc.
Volunteer Carnival
This year, after thinking about what I could do special for our
volunteers, I decided to do a Carnival Theme. I'm going to have
Carnival games with lots of prizes. The volunteers earned the tickets
for the games by their volunteer hours last year: beginning with
five tickets just for being a volunteer, and then one ticket for
every 50 hours of volunteer time. I made little ticket books for
each volunteer with their names on them and the appropriate number
of tickets in each book. I then coordinated with our Nutrition Services
to provide carnival type food at the party. I'm hoping to find a
resident clown in our midst to show up unannounced to have more
fun with our volunteers. After the food and games, we will present
the year awards.
Submitted on 2 February 2007 by Melissa Maxon
Themed Power Point
Presentations to Highlight Honorees
Every year at my recognition luncheon, I make two powerpoint presentations.
The first is a slideshow of pictures that relate to the luncheon
theme. For instance at our luau, pictures of the Hawaiian islands
were shown on a screen as guests were arriving. The next slide show
highlights the individuals receiving Years of Service Awards. This
slide show is playing while that person is being honored. On this
show, I feature a picture of the volunteer, where they work, and
I also have the volunteer submit some individual quotes about volunteering
that is included on their slide. The guests love the tidbits about
the volunteer, and it also allows me to highlight all the honorees,
even if they cannot make the event.
Submitted on 25 October 2006 by Amy Wade
"Treasuring"
Volunteers
Our Volunteer Appreciation was super successful again this year.
I chose a theme which was "You are a Treasure." The tables
were decorated with small treasure chests filled with gold coin
candies and Mardi Gras beads (bought at 75% off). The invitations
were made on a scroll with a treasure chest on the bottom corner.
Best of all, our event was held at the Treasure Ship Restaurant,
which is really a large replica of an old pirate ship sitting on
the lagoon! I had a large treasure chest filled with gift certificates
for each volunteer -- nice gifts such as dinners, movies, car washes,
haircuts, manicures, etc. Several volunteers were honored with certificates
and plaques for longevity also. Now to top that for next year!
Submitted on 4 August 2006 by Susan Champion,
Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Emerald Coast Hospice, Panama
City, Florida
Hats Off To You
The Volunteer Services Department paid tribute to our valuable volunteers
by honoring them at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
-- “Hats Off To You” -- April 4, 2006. Crazy hats decorated
by the West Palm Beach Specialized Adult Day Center were suspended
from the ceiling, while beautiful orchids in black top hats complemented
the theme. Our volunteers were arrayed in decorated hats to add
to the festivities, and a gift certificate was awarded for the best
decorated hat. We feasted on strawberry crepes topped with cream,
and lox and bagels while viewing highlights of volunteers over the
past year.
Submitted on 21 July 2006 by Beverley Penver
The Essential Piece
This was the title of our volunteer recognition dinner this year
to celebrate the connection our volunteers have to our organization
and the contribution they make to our business. Banquet tables were
decorated with white table cloths and black napkins. Scattered in
the center of the table were pieces of jigsaw puzzles that I had
gotten at a local thrift store. Favors were gold puzzle piece pins
along with ink pens from our business that were used to fill out
the crossword puzzles at each place setting. I had created the puzzle
using trivia clues about our business and its founder. The puzzles
were easy to create using the help of a free website for making
personalized puzzles. During the recognition I had asked department
leaders to briefly talk about the support their departments receive
from our volunteer staff.
Our volunteer of the year
(the one who donates the most hours during the year) received a
jigsaw puzzle made from a picture of our facility.
Submitted on 19 July 2006 by Jayne
Rice, Honeywell Center
May 2005 Hot Topic
provides ideas
The topic of banquets was addressed in our May 2005 hot topic, visit
the responses to receive additional ideas.
"Mmmm, Mmmm,
Good"
Our theme was based around the Cambpell's soup theme. We purchased
red and white coffee mugs printed to look like a soup can, with
the title of our agency at top, and "Cream of Volunteer Soup"
printed on the front, with special directions for volunteer use
on the side. We served two different types of soup with our dinner,
placed soup cans on the tables with red and white carnations, had
red napkins and white table cloths, and one of our staff made a
life size soup can for the stage. We photocopied pictures from the
Campbell's Soup web page, our participants colored them and decorated
our walls. Our volunteers receiving special recognition received
a copy of the book, Chicken Soup for the Volunteer Soul.
Submitted on 13 March 2006 by Cindy
Blackstone, The Janet Pomeroy Center, San
Francisco
Restaurant Samplings
For the past two years we have had a very successful dinner called
a "Taste of the Town". I contact many local restaurants explaining
the wonderful event and who the event is for, and fortunately many
have agreed to participate, for free!!! The first year we
had as many as 16 restaurants including everything from gourmet
lamb chops and seasoned shrimp, to different ethnic foods such as
vegetarian lo mein, to meatball sandwiches, to the most delicious
bread pudding.
The restaurants are asked to donate any item from their menu and
are welcome to participate and serve in the event. The guests
are served a small portion from any restaurant station. There are
small plates provided at each station, staff and/or restaurant employees
serve the volunteers. Volunteers can return to any station as many
times as
they want.
As for decorating, we have used red and white checkered tablecloths
and asked the staff to wear white aprons with a chef hat. We have
also had a French theme with pastel colors and each server wears
a scarf with their apron. All in all, everyone leaves very
satisfied, including staff and the restaurant employees. After the
event I always send a certificate of appreciation to the participating
restaurants. The event does take some work, but has been well worth
the effort.
Good Luck!
Submitted by Rose Lynch
Mardi-Gras
Any state bordering Louisiana seems to celebrate Mardi Gras--so
for my volunteer recognition lunch we did a Mardi Gras theme. This
is fabulously inexpensive--beads, coins and masks are really cheap
decorations that can be bought in bulk on-line. I made centerpieces
by planting pansys (which are conveniently Mardi Gras colored) in
hand-painted green and purple terra cotta pots (which took me only
one afternoon to do) and then displaying coins and masks on the
tables. Each volunteer got beads as they walked in the door and
we had zydeco music playing in the background. The volunteers loved
it!
We "raffled" off the centerpieces to a person at each table by asking an organization-related trivia question to each group. The person with the closest answer took home the planter. This helped the volunteers learn about our nation-wide program as well as how important their service is to our organization.
For gifts, I took iron-on
transfers and placed a volunteer related design on tote bags bought
in bulk inexpensively. We filled these bags with donated goodies
from area merchants (e.g. note pads from a printing company, pens
and keychains from an insurance company and sweets donated by a
distributor). Hand-making things really doesn't take that much time
and can save you tons of money. I also think the volunteers were
touched by the hard work put in to recognizing them.
Submitted by Susan, Director, RSVP, Arkansas
My Volunteer Valentine
We host several recognition events each year, but one of the favorites
is our annual "My Volunteer Valentine" Tea Party which
began last year. This year, I started out by sending nomination
forms to all staff in the medical center asking them to submit the
name of a volunteer who exemplifies extraordinary caring and commitment,
along with a brief explanation of why this person is deserving of
this "Volunteer Valentine" honor.
I designed the invitation on Microsoft Publisher, and sent it to
all our volunteers, as well as to our Hospital Executive Team, and
everyone who nominated a volunteer. We hosted the event in our main
auditorium, complete with assorted finger sandwiches and mini desserts,
as well as several types of hot and cold teas. At each table we
placed a special gift: we purchased sets of demitasse cups with
saucers at our local 99 cent store and filled each cup with three
different flavored tea bags, and valentine candy. We wrapped them
in pink cellophane tied with ribbon. We covered our tables with
white table cloths and used pink and red runners. Red and pink Valentine
stuffed Teddy Bears (purchased at our local Big Lots store) were
our centerpieces, and pink and red paper hearts of all sizes filled
the room.
When the guests arrived, they were given a "Volunteer Word
Search" game to play just for fun. The completed games were
collected by one of our staff members, and served as their entry
into the prize drawing which took place later in the event. We had
music playing overhead (including Frank Sinatra's "My Funny
Valentine") and topped it off with entertainment by a harpist
who was an employee. After all the food and socializing, we awarded
the "My Volunteer Valentine" honorees with certificates
and a gift, by reading the words that had been submitted by employees
during the nomination process. We also drew names for the several
prizes that we had, and the stuffed Valentine Bears at each table
were won by those at each table who's birthday was closest to Valentine's
Day. It was a great event!
Submitted on 27 February 2004 by Liz Mirzaian,
Director, Volunteer and Senior Resources, Glendale Adventist Medical
Center, California
"Our Volunteers
Rock"
Our theme was the 1950's. From decorations of black and
white checkered tablecloth, fold out ice cream floats, and pink
place mats and plates. We traditionally have a breakfast. Staff
that helped were encouraged to wear their poodle skirts and 50's
garb. We also invited volunteers to do the same. We had a guitarist
and vocalist play and sing music of the era. Our certificates kept
the theme with "You Rock".
Submitted on 20 January 2004 by Betty Coyle,
Hiawatha Care Center, Iowa, USA
Shining Stars
Deciding on a theme can be a treat for a Volunteer Coordinator.
One year we decided to recognize our volunteers with a late luncheon
titled, "Our Volunteers are Shining Stars". The theme took
on a Hollywood/Academy Awards motiff. The colors chosen were
black, gold and white. A long red carpet (a remnant) was laid
out for our stars to walk on as they entered the event. We
even had a "paparazzi" there taking pictures (staff simply taking
pictures to record the event). Bouquets of black, white, and gold
latex balloons were placed everywhere. Black tablecloths with
gold overlays (gold lame cloth purchased from a remnant store) decorated
each table. For the backdrop, a "hill" was cut-out of donated
ply-wood and painted black, white letters cutout of foam board were
placed on the hill spelling out "HOLLYWOOD". Our Christmas
lights were strung out to resemble twinkling stars. Each of
our volunteers was given a T-shirt with a star shooting across the
front stating "I am a Shining Star Volunteer of the Costa Mesa Senior
Center". They all seemed to enjoy the shirt. We chose a shirt
as that year's gift so that they could be recognized in an everyday
setting. Those being specially honored for their services were given
a certificate and an "Oscar" statuette, inexpensively purchased
from a local party store. All in all the was a gala affair
that has yet to be forgotten.
Submitted on 16 November 2003 by Karyn
Canett, Senior Center/Volunteer Coordinator, Costa Mesa Senior Center,
CA/USA
Volunteers are
Gems
For our Volunteer Recognition Dinner last spring, we used the theme,
"Our Volunteers are Gems!" We used jewel tone colors to decorate.
The centerpieces were jeweltoned candle holders with the battery
operated candle lights inside. At each place setting, we decorated
with a bookmark that had plastic jewels glued to it and read: "Our
Volunteers are Like Gems!"
Amethyst-Volunteers
are like amethyst because they are vivid and sincere. They
create stability, calmness and tranquility, even in the midst
of a rowdy group of children.
Diamond-Volunteers are like diamonds because they are
brilliant, courageous and tough. Volunteers are highly prized
and loved.
Emerald-Volunteers are like emeralds because they are
intense and soothing. They reflect growth, remove weariness and
soothe the soul-they are highly valued.
Ruby-Volunteers are like rubies because they are glowing
and intense. They are wise, creative and peaceful.
Sapphire-Volunteers are like sapphires because they are
clear and precious. They are brilliant, precise, happy and
bring blessings.
Above all, our volunteers
are valuable, beautiful, tough, priceless and truly treasured. It
was a huge success as the volunteers truly felt valued and appreciated.
Submitted on 14 October 2003 by Bethany
Swickrath, Membership and Community Education Manager, Girl Scouts
of Appleseed Ridge, Inc., OH, USA
Beach Party
We used a beach party theme for our annual meeting and decorated
beach pails with the names of each out-going board member, along
with the agency's name. The we filled them with bright, inexpensive
sunglasses, candy bars, bottles of bubbles, and a water gun with
a note that said "Thanks for all your hard work! Now it's time
to play!"
Submitted on 20 June 2003 by Katherine
Scoggins, Executive Director, Shepherd Center of Kingsport TN, USA
Treasures in the
Sand
Our theme this year was "Treasures in the Sand." We handmade
the invitations which are always a hit. Volunteers appreciate a
personal invitation. The tables were decorated with blue paper,
as the ocean. In the middle, brown sugar spread out with all the
treasures (peanuts, gummy worms, frog candy, hard rock candy--for
the gems,) We made treasure boxes out of cakes..spilling out were
candy necklaces and gold coins. This was also on the tables. We
made personalized placemats (tan color with a sea shell and waves
on, scalloped edging) and we wrote the theme on the mat. Staff and
students wrote their thanks on them and we laminated the mats. We
also made little bottles of bath salts to go by their place settings.
The school staff donated a dish for the luncheon. Every year I give
out a "life saver award." The principal buys a plant for
each one of the volunteers. We have a couple kids come in and read
a poem, choir comes in and sings a few songs. We invite the Volunteer
Coordinators from the District Administration, as well as a School
Board Member.
Submitted on 27 May 2003 by D Nevala, Volunteer
Coordinator, Roosevelt Elementary, Washington, USA
Magic of Volunteering
A few years ago you may remember that a popular theme for volunteer
recognition was "The Magic of Volunteers". To use the
theme in decorating we bought black plastic top hats and fanned
red, black and white paper out of them. We always need to name the
groups of children and the volunteers to be seated at a particular
table. The table markers were in the shape of a white-gloved hand
where the name was written and from the hand came a magic wand.
Red table clothes and black placemats set off the room. This was
one of my favorites.
Submitted by Lynn Guerra, Volunteer Coordinator,
Holy Family Institute, Pennsylvania
Picturing Volunteers
This past year at our Volunteer Banquet, I created a PowerPoint
program (which is similar to a slide show except you use a computer)
with pictures of our volunteers. I began by searching and locating
many old photos of our volunteers and ran around the hospital taking
new ones. I also took pictures of staff members holding signs up
that said "Thank You Volunteers". We had enough pictures to go along
with three songs. The songs used were POINTS OF LIGHT by Randy Travis,
HEAL THE WORLD by Michael Jackson and YOUR SIMPLY THE BEST by Tina
Turner The presentation basically three parts. The first part had
pictures then a slide came up that said, We couldn't do it without
you. Then we had several pictures that we had created as if we didn't
have volunteers. We had the gift shop closed with a person peering
in. We had the adult day center closed. We piled up mail. Showed
empty escort seats. Things like that. Next slide was We Couldn't
do it without REALLY! Then we went on to more pictures. The last
section of pictures was for the song "Your simply the best". While
this song played, pictures of employees ran with them holding up
the sign "thank you volunteers". The last said, Thank you Volunteers
for all you do. And then this was the end.
Submitted by Susan Senglaub, Manager of
Volunteer Services, Holy Family Memorial
Four Goals
When I plan my yearly Volunteer Recognition Breakfast I keep four
points in mind that must happen: 1.Educate 2. Inspire 3. Recognize
4.Have fun. Each year this event is the most successful!
Submitted by Dee Martin, Director of Volunteer
Services, Bedford, NH
A Royal Thank You
Each year, we honor our dedicated volunteers with a dinner, hence
the "Volunteer Recognition Dinner." This year I really struggled
for a theme. I came up with "A Royal Thank You." A bit hokey, I
know, but it really turned out great. I stuck with royal colors,
red, blue, purple, gold, & green. Centerpieces were crowns, beads,
tiaras, and large cracked glass vases with royal colored Betta Fish
and gemstones. I would have liked to find a "Court Jester" as entertainment
but settled for Period music. Lovely royal beads also added a rich
touch. In addition I recognized volunteers that were exceptional
"Knights in Shining Armor!"
Submitted by Crystal Lybarger, Youth & Volunteer
Director, American Red Cross
Volunteer Tea
This year, for the first time ever, our school district held a volunteer
tea. All district volunteers were invited, and we had enough special
mugs and book bags on hand for everyone. We assumed a maximum attendance
of 100, but only really expected about 30 people or so. Each elementary,
junior high and administrative department selected two "extra special"
volunteers to receive additional recognition at the tea. The high
school was allowed to select four people due to their much larger
volunteer population. We called the additional recognition the "Starfish
Award", presenting each of those volunteers with a personalized
certificate (featuring the "Starfish Story") and a starfish pin.
The event was held in our school district's board room and we decorated
using a beach theme, playing Jimmy Buffet music in the background.
As each person was called up to receive their award, I read a brief
bio about them, submitted by the school or department that nominated
that person. Our superintendent gave them their certificate and
pin, and another person took a picture of them. We had a very good
turnout (over 60 people), everyone enjoyed the "heavy hors d'oeuvres,"
and people were thrilled to be recognized.
Submitted by Therese Caldwell, Volunteer Services
Liaison, North Kitsap School District, Poulsbo, WA
Video
As part of the annual luncheon, we developed a video showing pictures
of all the volunteers. We included short interviews with new, working,
senior and youth volunteers. The video opened with wonderful music
showing areas of the hospital affected by volunteers. We closed
with pictures of our volunteers in the chapel. It was very moving.
The volunteers loved the new idea.
Submitted by Patricia A. Chambers, Director
of Volunteer Services, St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, WV
Goals for Successful
Recognition Event
This isn't a success story but rather a way to look at "success."
I think there ought to be SEVERAL goals for a "successful" recognition
event, especially since we are busy people and can't afford for
our time to be spent on an activity that accomplishes only one thing!
So, how about these for a start? A successful recognition event
needs to:
- Say thank you for anything and everything volunteered to the organization during the past year (the organization's obligation).
- Have everyone volunteering the above feel appreciated (the volunteers' perspective).
- Recommit (re-enthuse) volunteers to the coming year of work and, potentially, to recruit new volunteers for vacant positions.
- Educate everyone attending--frontline volunteers, paid staff, executives, board-level volunteers--about the scope, meaning and value of volunteer services to the organization, and about the diversity and skills of who volunteers.
- Acknowledge the contributions of (some) paid staff supervisors to the success of volunteers.
- Report the outcomes of volunteer effort (not just to proclaim the hours spent in effort).
- Challenge all volunteers through recognition of the special accomplishments of a selected few.
- Gain publicity for the organization and for the volunteer program.
- Allow volunteers a chance to have fun and meet one another (something they do otherwise only with people on their shift).
- Gain respect for the volunteer program and the director of it.
Submitted by Susan J. Ellis, President, Energize, Inc.
Court Capers
One of the most unique volunteer recognition events I attended was
"Court Capers". Volunteers were arrested for "giving freely of their
time, talents, and treasures." The invitation was a warrant for
their arrest, the event took place in a court room. There was a
judge, a jury (of staff), a police officer (with a wonderful voice
who sang a personalized song to the tune of "Thanks for the memories")
and a baliff who sang "Here come the judge - Here come the judge".
There were a few outstanding volunteers who were asked to stand
and the volunteer coordinator (in the witness stand) would state
how they were guilty of the crime. The jury then voted "guilty"
and the judge sentenced them to a free dinner with door prizes.
(The banquet room was right next door decorated with police hats,
badges, etc. on the tables.) It was very different but very comical
and enjoyable.
Submitted by Debra Cheek, Volunteer Coordinator,
Moffitt Cancer Center
Potluck
For the past several years, we have conducted a volunteer potluck
supper for our volunteers. The theatre provides beverages and paper
utensils and each volunteer contributes a dish. It's a "stand-up"
meal so everybody mingles and tries lots of new things. We publish
the favorite recipes in the theatre's newsletter.
Submitted by Jill Rafferty, Education
& Volunteer Coordinator, Capital Repertory Theatre
The ABC's of Volunteerism
The first volunteer recognition dinner I planned had the theme of
'The ABC's of Volunteerism' (Appreciation, Benevolence, Chocolate!)
I had a chalkboard in the room with the ABC's written on it and
an apple drawn on with chalk. Used as centerpieces on the tables
were small school slates, a wooden ruler, pencils, and bottles of
glue and crayons. At each place setting were two pieces of chocolate
candy--a Hershey Kiss and a Hershey Hug. I told the volunteers that
'A' stood for the Appreciation we felt for their wonderful service;
'B' represented Benevolence (an inclination to do charitable or
kind acts--what they gave with their donation of time); and 'C'
represented Chocolate, the sweetness of their contributions and
we were giving them a hug and a kiss.
With a theme of ABC's and school, I told the volunteers their assignment
for the evening was a quiz entitled 'Getting To Know You'. I gave
them 10 minutes of Mix and Mingle time to gather signatures from
fellow volunteers to fill in the spaces on their quizzes. The quiz
had 20 items listed and each person had to find someone who...is
an only child, had a fried egg for breakfast this morning, is allergic
to penicillin, volunteers for more than three organizations, was
born in the same month as you, uses the same brand of deodorant
as you, has been a volunteer for more than 10 years, likes grits
and fried okra, has had their picture on the front page of a newspaper,
always twists an Oreo apart and eats the icing first, etc, etc,
etc.
It was a bit zany, but was a good ice breaker and many didn't want
to stop when I said time was up. I gave a shiny red apple to the
volunteer who had the most lines filled in. Volunteers were then
recognized and thanked for their valued gift of time in serving
others. One volunteer's name was drawn to receive our grand prize
of the evening--'a brand new washer and dryer' (washcloth and towel!).
The evening was lighthearted and fun for the group.
Submitted by Jayne Rice, Director of Community
Programming and Volunteers, Honeywell Center
Photo from "Younger
Years"
I asked volunteers to provide a photo of themselves in "younger
years" and had photos made into slides. I wrote a little "hint poem"
about each slide, relating the hint to the volunteer's service position,
and we played a guessing game at the National Volunteer Week Recognition
Luncheon. Big-band music played in the background as each slide
was shown and the "hint poem" read. Prizes were given for the most
correct guesses. Our volunteers had such fun seeing themselves and
others in the slides and enjoyed guessing "who's who". The photos
were returned.
Submitted by Kelley Perkins, CDVS, Volunteer
Coordinator, Seven Rivers Community Hospital, Crystal River, Florida
Theme for Recognition
Dinner
We select a theme for our annual volunteer recognition banquet for
our Senior Center and Mealsite volunteers. This year our theme is
" Volunteers are worth a million." In keeping with the "so you want
to be a Millionaire" craze we are going to have our own version
of the game show, with the questions relating to volunteerism, nutrition
or aging. Our placemats, nutcups, table decorations, program covers
and volunteer certificates will all have a " money" motif. And of
course we'll decorate with the color of money--green!
Submitted by K. Schutte, Mealsite Manager,
Marinette County Elderly Services, (Wisconsin)
Invitations Colored
by Kindergarten Students
We were looking for a way to invite our volunteers to our annual
Volunteer Recognition. We wanted something special but not expensive.
We enlarged some graphics with simple designs from our computer.
We used the computer and copy machine to put the text on the invitation
with "colored by...in Mrs.....'s kindergarten class" at the bottom.
They were then sent to the schools to be colored by the children
and then they were mailed to the volunteers. They were a huge hit
and now our volunteers look forward to receiving one each year.
Submitted by Ruth Anne Bleakney, Senior
Center Director, Milford Senior Center
Ice Cream Sundaes Show How Volunteers
Help a Program
I work for a Community Action Agency and we rely on volunteers for
everything from filing to riding school buses. We celebrated an
event two weeks ago, where each of the program directors discussed
how volunteers helped to run the programs. While each director talked,
their staff helped to build brownie sundaes. One program started
with the foundation (plates), the next put on the brownies, then
the whipped topping, cherries and nuts until we had 150 sundaes.
It symbolized visually how our volunteers affect each part of our
organization and by working together we can accomplish great things!
It was very well received and the brownies even tasted great!
Submitted by Teresa Miller Keck
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