Transform Your Volunteer Appreciation: Become a Service Enterprise Organization
Often organizations that I have worked with and supported pre-COVID had a big volunteer appreciation event, but during the pandemic those events had to be put on pause, so organizations began to ask volunteers how they really wanted to be appreciated. Many said a simple and genuine thank you, to use their time well and to include them in the organization.
What better way to show volunteer appreciation than to invest in improving how your organization engages and supports them? During
Global Volunteer Month
, I encourage you to take a moment, pause and reflect on how your organization is engaging the skills, talents and time that volunteers are giving.
- Do you have opportunities for volunteers to serve throughout your departments or service lines your organization offers?
- Do you have volunteers and pro-bono services sprinkled throughout the organization chart?
- Does your organization’s culture embrace volunteers as a key resource for realizing your mission?
If your organization’s culture doesn’t yet have answers to these questions, start by exploring how your organization can participate in Points of Light’s
Service Enterprise Program
, run by
AL!VE
(Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement).
In addition to giving your volunteers a token gift and/or celebratory event, you can showcase all of the work your organization was able to accomplish due to their contributions, assure them that you are investing their time and talents in the most impactful ways, and that the organization recognizes and appreciates all that volunteers bring to the organization. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but with the help of our Service Enterprise Program, you can begin to evolve the organization’s culture through this change management process that helps nonprofit organizations effectively and efficiently leverage the time and talent of volunteers to help deliver their social mission.
We realize that you may have a great
volunteer engagement
program, but to take it to the next level, to truly integrate volunteer engagement into the organization culture, you are going to need more. Service Enterprise helps your organization through this change management process.
First, we facilitate a self-assessment research-based diagnostic and offer a debrief that will help your organization recognize the strengths and areas of opportunity that currently exist. Together, we select a team that will carry the organization through the change management process and bring together leadership, volunteer engagement professionals and more. The team attends training and has dedicated time and activities to focus on better engaging and supporting volunteers (and often all human capital) at the organization.
You will also join a network of peers working toward operating as a Service Enterprise. This network often shares resources and helps each other along the journey. Your Service Enterprise Trainer will provide you with additional coaching and support to meet unique needs and address challenges within your organization.
Imagine, at your next volunteer appreciation event or in your April 2024 newsletter, you’ll be able to tell your volunteers that you not only appreciate the way that they continue to lean in and fight for your cause by sharing their time and talents, but your organization has achieved the national volunteer engagement accreditation of Service Enterprise. As a Service Enterprise certified organization, they’ll know that their time is well invested when they spend it advocating for your mission.
To learn more about Service Enterprise or how to connect with volunteer engagement professionals across the country contact Kayla Paulson at
[email protected]
or (319) 310-0901.
6 Influencers Using Social Media for a Good Cause This Global Volunteer Month
Social media provides an opportunity for those advocating for causes to make their
voices
heard, spread awareness and garner widespread support. By reaching audiences across the nation and the globe, social media influencers can harness their social impact by educating and informing the masses on current-day issues, solutions and organizations working to create change.
Here we’re featuring six changemakers who partnered with Points of Light during
Global Volunteer Month
throughout April to amplify this movement through their social media platforms. Their messaging lent support to promote volunteerism in communities around the world.
6 posts using social media for a good cause
Taylor Moxey
The
Taylor Moxey Foundation
was created to empower literacy for children and families worldwide through local sustainable libraries, education and arts programs. The organization’s founder, Taylor Moxey, is passionate about the power of reading to promote creativity and innovation in both children and adults. This young philanthropist is already a published author, award-winner and creator of a daily mantra card deck.
The three Florida-based Taylor Moxey libraries are constructed of pod-style buildings created from repurposed shipping containers, providing a sustainable approach to creating more spaces for youth and families to cultivate their love of reading and education.
You can
meet Taylor here
and see her Global Volunteer Month post on
Instagram
.
Dani Aravich
Dani Aravich
is a Paralympian, adaptive model and disability advocate. Born without her left hand and forearm, Dani has represented the United States at the summer and winter Paralympic Games. She fiercely advocates for inclusion in the outdoors for people with disabilities.
From playing sports from a young age and excelling against non-disabled peers, Dani went on to a decorated career in professional sports, including track and field, Nordic skiing, trail running, backcountry skiing and more. She advocates for disability inclusion in sports and is currently working toward establishing an avalanche course for people with disabilities.
Meet
Dani
and see her Global Volunteer Month post on
Instagram
.
Sir Darius Brown
Sir Darius Brown is a powerhouse teen social entrepreneur, speaker, shelter pet advocate, philanthropist, recipient of the Global Child Prodigy Award and founder & CEO of
Beaux & Paws
, where he designs and creates handmade stylish bow ties for dogs in animal shelters.
At the age of 2, Sir Darius was diagnosed with speech comprehension and fine motor skills delay. But by the age of 8, his fine motor skills started to improve after he began assisting his older sister with cutting fabric and learning how to use a sewing machine. During this time, he discovered his passion for making bow ties. Beaux & Paws was founded during the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, in an effort to help displaced pups become more adoptable with adorable bow ties that help them look their best.
Meet
Sir Darius
and see his Global Volunteer Month post on
Instagram
.
Trevon Jenifer
Paralympic Gold medalist and advocate
Trevon Jenifer
was born with congenital amputation, but that didn’t stop him from becoming a successful track athlete and top wrestler in high school. In 1992, Trey started playing wheelchair basketball with team Air Capital in Washington D.C., eventually becoming a three-year captain and two-time All-American for the Edinboro men’s wheelchair basketball team. He then played professional basketball for two years overseas in France.
A published author, husband and father, Trey is an advocate for equality and equity, shining his light on issues that individuals with disabilities face within our society. Since embarking on the Paralympic stage in 2009, Trey has continued to empower all athletes on all levels in their respective sports. He uses his athletic platform to spark difficult conversations with high-ranking personnel within government, corporations and private agencies
Meet
Trevon
and see his Global Volunteer Month post on
Instagram
.
Hollis Belger
Eighteen-year-old Hollis Belger founded
Juggling for Jude
when she realized she had a knack for juggling — a skill she recognized after joining a competitive soccer team at age 8. Through a combination of soccer juggling, appearances at special events and public speaking, Hollis has raised more than $660,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with the help of thousands of individual donors, juggler volunteers and partners supporting her cause.
Hollis has since become an advocate for youth in philanthropy, speaking and writing about how young people can take a passion and turn it into a way to get involved with the causes they care about. Having completed a Certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations through Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies, she’s currently working with Howard Moskowitz, PhD, a pioneer in the field of consumer analytics and market segmentation. Together they are applying his research methodology and technology to help St. Jude and other nonprofits and philanthropists communicate with their audiences for maximum return.
Meet
Hollis
and see her Global Volunteer Month post on
Instagram
.
Shreya and Sahana Mantha
Shreya and Sahana Mantha created the
Foundation for Girls
in 2012 to economically empower marginalized women and support their children. Since economic empowerment is the way to financial independence for women, these sisters spotted an opportunity to utilize their knowledge and passion to pave the way for future generations of women to be more equipped for economic success.
The organization’s four-pillared approach invests in women to become financially savvy, digitally capable, career confident and socially connected. The programs are based on the organization’s theory of change model and are crucial enablers for women to accomplish their financial, career and personal goals. Through FFG programs, women summon the courage to commit to action which builds competence and, in turn, gives them confidence.
Meet
Shreya and Sahana
and see their Global Volunteer Month post on
Instagram
.
L.A. Works Uses Social Media During Global Volunteer Month for Volunteer Recruitment and Recognition
We’re in the final stretch of
Global Volunteer Month
2023, and continuing to celebrate individuals and organizations around the world affecting change and advocating for social good. We’ve been featuring a handful of
Points of Light Global Network
affiliates who are positively impacting their communities through volunteer recruitment, recognition and special events throughout April.
The Points of Light Global Network operates with a network of innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations that serve more than 145 affiliates across 39 countries around the world. Together, we are inspiring, equipping and mobilizing more people to use their time, talent and resources to create positive change in their communities.
L.A. Works
is a member of the Points of Light Global Network and is Los Angeles’ largest volunteer action center. The organization aims to unite Angelenos and inspire action for a more equitable Los Angeles.
We spoke with Samantha Wheeler, director of communications at L.A. Works, to talk about why volunteering matters and how the organization utilizes its resources to uplift volunteers and the overall mission.
How is your organization recognizing Global Volunteer Month this year?
L.A. Works has volunteers across many different categories and programs, and we intend to highlight them across social media this month. We have reels and posts planned to highlight corporate volunteers, volunteers who are over 55, FAVE volunteer families, climate action/disaster preparedness teams, VISTA members and general volunteers.
What resources or tools are you providing to volunteers to help them get involved in their community?
We utilize our website, social media, tabling events and canvassing to get people involved.
How are you recognizing and thanking volunteers for their contributions during Global Volunteer Month?
We are using a social media campaign to thank all of our volunteers – from corporate volunteers to family volunteers and all in between – for their service.
What role does volunteerism play in your organization’s overall mission and objectives?
Volunteering is the heart of what we do. Our purpose is to make sure that Angelenos work on local needs through hands-on service and feel empowered to address the most critical needs in Los Angeles.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who’s looking to get more involved in their community through volunteerism?
Volunteering is a great way to follow your passion. We have so many volunteers come to us because there’s a specific area that they care about but maybe they don’t get to explore because of work obligations. Volunteering is an excellent way to engage in something you care about.
It’s also a great way to discover a new interest. We’ve also had volunteers who discovered they had an interest in something new nurtured by a few hours of service in a specific area, not to mention the benefits of volunteering: meeting new people, learning new things, lowering blood pressure to name a few.
Hands On Atlanta Focuses on Volunteer Appreciation and Fundraising for Global Volunteer Month
As
Global Volunteer Month
moves along, making ripples of impact in communities around the world through volunteer efforts, we’re highlighting a few
Points of Light Global Network
affiliates who are positively impacting their communities through volunteer appreciation and other pathways to doing social good.
The Points of Light Global Network operates with a network of innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations that serve more than 145 affiliates across 39 countries around the world. Together, we are inspiring, equipping and mobilizing more people to use their time, talent and resources to create positive change in their communities.
Hands On Atlanta
is a member of the Points of Light Global Network, with a vision for Atlanta to be the most civically engaged and equitable community in the world. Hands On Atlanta mobilizes the Atlanta community to tackle the city’s most pressing needs.
We spoke with Tim Adkins, director of marketing and communications at Hands On Atlanta, to talk about the organization’s take on Global Volunteer Month and how they are celebrating it this year.
How is your organization recognizing Global Volunteer Month this year?
This year, we’re celebrating Global Volunteer Month with our
Spring for Service
campaign. On our blog and social channels, we’ll recognize 20 volunteers throughout the month with our Volunteer Spotlights and in addition, we’ll recognize five nonprofit partners.
We are also going to use the flurry of global and national days of service to mobilize the community to serve. We are promoting projects on Good Deeds Day, Earth Day, Global Youth Service Day, National Volunteer Week and other local events like 48in48.
The third and final piece is a fundraiser, led by a peer-to-peer giving campaign with a goal of raising $130,000.
How are you engaging with volunteers to inspire them to participate in community service activities?
The idea is to recognize individuals and add a call to action to join them. We want to inspire others to volunteer for a big day of service.
What resources or tools are you providing to volunteers to help them get involved in their community?
We regularly share between 25-50 volunteer opportunities a day on our platform. With our software, marketing tools and website, we’ve made finding a project as quick and easy as possible.
What impact has Global Volunteer Month had on your organization and the communities you serve?
Global Volunteer Month is a tool our organization leverages to recognize and mobilize volunteers, while also supporting our spring fundraising efforts. Because we’re a part of a bigger initiative, our bet is that volunteers are more inclined to get involved and act now instead of waiting for another time. For fundraising, we draw a very clear and direct narrative to our work – we use the spotlights to tell the story and the marquee events to share the need.
What role does volunteerism play in your organization’s overall mission and objectives?
Volunteering and service is 100% of our organization’s mission. We don’t exist without our volunteers or
AmeriCorps
members.
Share one success story of a volunteer (or a group of volunteers) in your community who have made a significant impact.
Our Civic Leadership Program is the best example of “service success” at Hands On Atlanta. It’s a pretty competitive process. To qualify, members must have served at least three times in the past year. Then, once accepted, fellows are paired with a nonprofit or school for 10 months, where they host at least one project per month.
They recruit volunteers, manage onsite and do all the follow-up and post-project work. They also attend quarterly leadership training workshops led by various community leaders and subject matter experts. The last piece of the program is the fundraising commitment. The program is free for fellows, but we ask they raise $500 for Hands On Atlanta.
Last year our Civic Fellows engaged close to 1,000 volunteers to serve over 2,600 hours across 10 different nonprofits and eight schools, raising over $13,000 for Hands On Atlanta. Our fellows go on to do great things, like this volunteer spotlight from former fellow — now Civic Leader —
Capt. Aprille Moore
.
What are some future plans for your organization to continue promoting volunteerism and civic engagement beyond Global Volunteer Month?
We’re looking to engage and recognize volunteers throughout the year, with another large focus and push during Hands On Atlanta Week in October and MLK Day in January.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who’s looking to get more involved in their community through volunteerism?
Don’t wait! Dive in, experiment, learn what you like and don’t like, meet different organizations and you’ll find something that works well for you — while doing good along the way. It’ll become a lifestyle and a part of your weekly or monthly routine.
You’ll feel good, meet great people, learn about some of the challenges in the community, maybe explore new parts of town you haven’t been to and make a difference every time you serve.
Phillips 66 and UPS Sponsor Global Volunteer Month 2023
It’s Points of Light’s fourth annual
Global Volunteer Month
and this year, our sponsors are continuing to support this month of service with their generosity. Through their contributions, Points of Light is better equipped to celebrate the impact of people who volunteer and engage in civic actions that change the world.
Research shows that that 73% of people believe that volunteering is more important than ever, yet 66% think they can’t make a big impact in their communities. To tackle society’s greatest challenges and build a better future, we must engage a wide range of people to make a positive difference in the world.
In partnership with Phillips 66, our lead sponsor for Global Volunteer Month 2023, and our supporting sponsor UPS, we’re shining a light on the work they are doing in communities around the globe.
Phillips 66
believes that giving back and investing in community is a critical role they play as a company. Whether it’s through their Good Energy Month in April or year-round, Phillips 66 employees are encouraged and empowered to give their time and talents to improve lives and demonstrate the company values of safety, honor, and commitment. Since 2012, the company has logged 680,000 hours of service from employee volunteers and invested $280 million into local communities. Whether it be education equity, environmental sustainability, social advancement or safety and wellbeing, Phillips 66 is using its resources of capital and people power to advance the causes their employees and communities care about.
At
UPS
, service is in their DNA. The UPS Foundation leverages their company’s people, business assets and philanthropic resources globally to address the systemic inequities and injustice that contribute to poverty and prevent people and communities from thriving. Their vision is to create a more equitable and just world, and their philanthropic approach centers on equity and justice through four focus areas: Health and Humanitarian Relief, Equity and Economic Empowerment, Local Community Engagement and Planet Protection – what they refer to as their HELP pillars. The company is committed to serving 30 million volunteer hours by 2030, and saw 2 million volunteer service hours recorded in 2022 alone, with over 529,000 volunteer hours recorded in underserved Black communities.
The UPS Foundation
has invested $120.8 million globally and has planted 22 million trees to date.
As these companies and many others engage employees throughout Global Volunteer Month, it’s important to keep in mind that volunteer recognition helps promote active participation and strengthens ESG programs. If you’re leading a project or team for Global Volunteer Month, consider nominating one of your employee volunteers for the
Daily Point of Light Award
or the
President’s Volunteer Service Award
.
And if your organization is looking for volunteer projects to get involved with this Global Volunteer Month, consider partnering with one of our nonprofit affiliates. Points of Light’s
Global Network
is made up of innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations that serve more than 145 affiliates across 39 countries around the world. Together we are inspiring, equipping and mobilizing more people to use their time, talent, voice and resources to create positive change in their communities.
Ruach Tova Incorporates International Day of Volunteering “Good Deeds Day” for Global Volunteer Month
Global Volunteer Month
is in full swing, and we’re continuing our series of highlighting some of our
Points of Light Global Network
affiliates who are positively impacting their communities through volunteerism and other pathways to doing social good. The Points of Light Global Network operates with a network of innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations that serve more than 145 affiliates across 39 countries around the world. Together, we are inspiring, equipping and mobilizing more people to use their time, talent and resources to create positive change in their communities.
Ruach Tova
, the leading organization in the field of volunteering in Israel, specializing in matching volunteers with organizations. We’re proud of all the work this member of the Points of Light Global Network is doing in Israel and beyond. We spoke with Hannah Wojno, director of the international division of Ruach Tova, to get her unique perspective on Global Volunteer Month and how her organization incorporates their own upcoming event, an international day of volunteering, Good Deeds Day.
How is your organization recognizing Global Volunteer Month this year?
Ruach Tova (“Good Spirit” in Hebrew) celebrates Global Volunteer Month primarily through our event,
Good Deeds Day
, which was created 17 years ago and has gone on to become a global movement of doing good around the world. As the Points of Light Affiliate of Israel, we see Global Volunteer Month as part of the global month of celebrations, like an umbrella of volunteering.
In Israel, Good Deeds Day saw 2 million people taking part in hands-on volunteering projects across the country. There were also seven mega-events for the public to celebrate doing good, including entertainment and fun ways to volunteer. One thousand companies volunteered, 250 municipalities engaged their residents, and 10,000 projects were offered to the public via our website. The message this year is: think good, speak good, do good.
What are some of the projects completed through your organization during Global Volunteer Month?
Some examples include establishing community libraries, packaging food, giving aid to underserved populations, working to protect the environment, volunteering for animal welfare, helping seniors in their homes, preparing food for those who needed a hot meal and more.
All of these are done under different frameworks – in the neighborhood, through the schools, in the workplaces or through the mobilization of the entire organization, with the participation of entire units of soldiers, policemen, students, trainees of youth movements and private companies.
Are you working with other Points of Light Global Network affiliates on a community project around volunteerism?
Over 20 Points of Light Global Network affiliates are taking part in Good Deeds Day around the globe.
Atados
, in Brazil, carries out projects nationally as part of their strategy to involve more people in volunteering.
Houston Food Bank
will gather 500 volunteers that will involve inspecting, sorting or packing food.
iVolunteer
offers projects around the country. In Delhi, there will be a school renovation project to create better infrastructure and creative learning space for children. They will engage up to 200 employees in a School Refurbishment activity, clocking 600+ volunteering hours. These are just a few examples of organizations we partner with.
How are you engaging with volunteers to inspire them to participate in community service activities?
We run campaigns both online — social media, online news publications — and offline in Israel, through radio, billboards and posters, to encourage volunteers to either sign up for a volunteer project in their community or lead a project with friends, family members or their companies. We also work with hundreds of municipalities in Israel to help them involve people in volunteering.
What resources or tools are you providing to volunteers to help them get involved in their community?
We provide toolkits, branding, seminars, workshops, mentoring, 10,000 projects anyone can sign up for, activation at universities on how to plan projects and more.
How are you recognizing and thanking volunteers for their contributions during Global Volunteer Month?
There are specific events recognizing the work of volunteers. All of the projects and the entire initiative is focused on the volunteers themselves (instead of the beneficiaries).
What impact has Global Volunteer Month had on your organization and the communities you serve?
It’s had a huge impact. We are breaking records of community involvement and impact, boosting the culture and activation of volunteering in Israel and globally. It’s positioned our organization as the place to go for when you want to volunteer, and the impact on the communities has been the most important. Through the framework they are now engaging in volunteering all year round, bringing communities together and addressing critical issues as a community.
What role does volunteerism play in your organization’s overall mission and objectives?
Volunteerism is the backbone of our mission and objectives. We believe everyone has the power to do good, which is why we specialize in connecting individuals and groups to causes and organizations they’re passionate about, in order to help them to make a difference in the world.
Share one success story of a volunteer (or a group of volunteers) in your community who have made a significant impact.
One woman decided to organize free wedding dresses and fittings for brides due to the high prices of wedding dresses. She is giving out 300 dresses to women who need them by offering a fun day to try on and get fitted for their special day. She opened a bridal shop 10 years ago after her own struggles with the mission to make wedding dress shopping accessible for all.
She receives and accepts donations and for her project, volunteers will help arrange the dresses. Some of them come from the school for special education in Kibbutz Hamediya, and the girls from the studio of Beit Shean as well. Girls will come to pick a dress and get it fitted and then return it after the wedding for another person to use.
What are some future plans for your organization to continue promoting volunteerism and civic engagement beyond Global Volunteer Month?
Engaging volunteers is the backbone of our everyday work – we operate a call center divided by region that assists individuals on finding the perfect opportunity for them. We also work with more than 2,000 companies year-round for corporate volunteering.
Can you share any tips or best practices for other organizations looking to recognize Global Volunteer Month?
Just start small or brand one of your current projects as part of Global Volunteer Month.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who’s looking to get more involved in their community through volunteerism?
Find the right cause. What is a cause your community needs, that matches both your interests and abilities? Sometimes we want to do something but don’t have the means or connections, while other times we have the means and it matches perfectly with the community needs and our personal passions.
Volunteer Recruitment Strategies for Global Volunteer Month
When anyone embarks on planning a volunteer project or initiative, sufficient v
olunteer recruitment is often a concern that tops their list
. As
Global Volunteer Month
approaches, you will want to consider what you can do to ensure you have enough people power to truly make an impact in the cause area you’re supporting.
Whether you’re leading a team of CSR professionals or simply trying to enroll others in your volunteer project at work, you can use these volunteer recruitment strategies to maximize your impact.
Plan Ahead for Volunteer Recruitment
To maximize your results, you’ll want to start planning your Global Volunteer Month project or initiative now. Determine which cause area(s) you’ll choose to support, who will lead the efforts and what supplies you’ll need. If you’re partnering with a nonprofit organization for an event, you’ll need to establish this relationship and ensure logistics are overseen.
Where and when will your event or project take place? How many volunteers will you need? What will you need to prepare in advance? Will the partner organization take care of supplies, or is this something you’ll need to supply? Consider food, transportation, parking and scheduling as well.
“In addition to addressing basic community needs, companies should also consider how they can collaborate effectively with community partners to help create the next generation of their workforce to help strengthen local communities economically, educationally and socially. If your company is creating partnerships that foster opportunities to expose, train and educate the next generation for employment in your industry, then everyone wins.”
— Jennifer Nash, Senior Vice President, Points of Light Corporate Solutions
Communicate Early and Often
One of the best ways to boost volunteer recruitment is to ensure that people know about your event and how they can participate. So as early as possible, begin to promote your project in internal communications materials like emails or newsletters. Be clear about who the project lead is and how employees can sign up to volunteer their time and talent. You might even promote the event on your social media channels.
You can reference Points of Light’s
Global Volunteer Month toolkits
for inspiration on your communications strategy. These resources include translated logos, social media graphics and sample messages to easily share your participation with your audiences. They’re tailored to four audiences: nonprofits, companies, government officials and individuals.
Provide Ample Resources to Bolster Volunteer Recruitment
Your employee volunteers will need to know as much as possible about the project or event, and how to plan effectively for it. So provide them with a detailed schedule as well as a list of things they should prepare, pack or wear. Will you be providing food? If not, make that clear in your communication.
Incentivizing volunteers can go a long way in recruiting employees for your project. You might be offering a catered lunch, a certificate of completion, a small gift card or something else as a “thank you” for their time. If you’re offering paid volunteer time off (VTO), make this clear in your communication strategy – it can be one of the best ways to incentivize employees.
Celebrate Your Project and Volunteers
Want to increase employee engagement for your program or initiative, or ensure that next year’s Global Volunteer Month efforts have a great turnout? One method to help promote volunteer recruitment is to celebrate the efforts from this year’s volunteer activities. Some recognition ideas are to have a shoutout in your company-wide newsletter, host a luncheon for volunteers or nominate an outstanding employee volunteer for the
Daily Point of Light Award
. When volunteers feel seen and recognized, they’re more likely to participate again in the future, and recognition can help you attract new talent too.
If you’d like more support rolling out your employee engagement program or finding ways to recognize your employee volunteers, Points of Light’s
Corporate Services and Solutions
can help. Our team of experts equips you with best-in-class tools, frameworks and customized support to streamline your program and increase your impact.
3 Ways to Show Employee Volunteers Appreciation This Global Volunteer Month
As
Global Volunteer Month
rapidly approaches in April, you’ll want to ensure you have a strategy in place for executing your organization’s social impact projects. But there’s something else we highly recommend employers take into account: employee recognition.
Taking the time, effort and budget to properly recognize your employees and volunteers for their efforts during this month of volunteering can serve both you and them in the long run. Volunteer appreciation builds morale, boosts engagement, sparks passion and helps your programs thrive for years to come.
Here are three tips to Show your volunteers Appreciation during Global Volunteer Month
Nominate Them for a Daily Point of Light Award
Founded by President George H.W. Bush in 1993, the
Daily Point of Light
award program has been running strong for decades. To date, more than 7,000 Daily Point of Light honorees have been named. Each Daily Point of Light awardee receives recognition with a feature article on the Points of Light website, as well as networking and event benefits.
Take Daily Point of Light Honoree
Paul Baccus
, for example. He’s a Bank of America employee who helps people create a lower cost of living and improve lives through better money habits and financial literacy. His mission is to empower people through knowledge about their finances.
Briana Haines
, a KPMG employee, volunteers her time with the Special Olympics, helping bring inclusivity and unity to unified golf athletes, in partnership with KPMG’s sponsorship programs.
Taking the time to nominate a few outstanding volunteers for this prestigious award can help them feel seen and appreciated for their pro bono efforts.
“We all know that what is celebrated is replicated, which is exactly why recognizing and celebrating your volunteers is key to inspiring other employees to get involved. A volunteer recognition strategy is a path to communicating impact, boosting participation, shining a spotlight on causes, and reinforcing your company’s commitment to community.”
— Katie Stearns, Chief Global Corporate Solutions Officer
Become a PVSA Certifying Organization
The
President’s Volunteer Service Award
helps you recognize your star volunteers, individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.
The inspiring changemakers from Le PeTiT CiRqUe are a testament to the unstoppable positive impact of our nation’s youth. Le PeTiT CiRqUe, a humanitarian-based elite cirque production company featuring pro-level youth from ages six to 15, recently had several performers awarded with President’s Volunteer Service Awards.
Each person was deservedly awarded the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award for more than 100 hours of service. This type of volunteer appreciation can really impact your program’s engagement, as well as making employees feel valued.
Check Out Our Global Volunteer Month Toolkits
Points of Light has created four toolkits for this year’s Global Volunteer Month. Each is tailored to a specific audience – nonprofits, companies, government officials and individuals. These toolkits are packed with ideas on how to implement your GVM projects, complete with communication tips and logos you can utilize across external and internal marketing materials.
They also include additional ideas for recognition – some methods as easy as reposting your employees’ social media posts. Head over to the
Global Volunteer Month
page to download the toolkit that applies to you.
