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Volunteering thoughts
By Cam Tait
June 5, 2006
Every now and then we're given a reminder of how important people are - and how, without even knowing it, we take them for granted sometimes. Last week, I asked a few questions about National Volunteer Week, how people view it, and what suggestions folks have to improve it. In reading the responses I was given two reminders. One, that it's very important to salute volunteers; and two, that some volunteers don't want to be thanked. Nonetheless, we should never take volunteers for granted. I apologize in advance for editing some comments for length, but I hope you understand space limitations. Like always, I thank you for sharing your time and thoughts - a mirror of what volunteers are. And, on a personal note, thanks for the small, but valuable, reminders.
Laurie raises an interesting point.
"Volunteer recognition is a program (we have) always been wanting to become more pro active about, but have never had the time. Why not? Of course, because we are ALL volunteers - including our board of directors!" writes Laurie. She was hired recently as volunteer coordinator on a part-time basis. This was the first National Volunteer Week she organized. "This week is something we've taken seriously from the get-go and even if we've done nothing at all to recognize our volunteers for the rest of the year, we've managed to have some small event - a luncheon or tea, or simple open house - during this special week."But...
"Out of a possible 75 (people), I received RSVPs from only 13 people; and seven of those [replies] were 'Thanks, but I have other plans.'"I think the Week itself is worthwhile because it reminds our busy board of directors to stop and remember to formally thank our volunteers. This is something they do verbally or even in writing on occasion throughout the year, but I'm sure a few volunteers are slipping through the cracks. This is their chance to remember to do it 'officially' and to include everyone.
"A true volunteer is a special kind of person who does not require recognition. However, I'm of the firm opinion that that doesn't get us off the hook! We need to pause and make sure we face our volunteers and tell them that we, quite simply, would not exist without them. However, on yet another note - what if, as happened with us last month, they don't even want to come to the event?"
A very interesting point, indeed.
Diane says: "My belief is that most volunteers are delighted to be appreciated and told they are valuable to the organization they are volunteering with. The appreciation may be nothing more than a 'thanks' said by the director. In my experience, some organizations do a terrific job of acknowledging their volunteers and appreciating them."
Carol thinks it should be National Volunteer Month, rather than National Volunteer Week. "Volunteers are great, the best, and are the pulse of any organization. It is always a challenge to show appreciation, attract new volunteers, retain the existing ones, and have fun in the process."
"We all do this on our own time and are glad to do it, but how do you thank people for their time and energy?" asks Muriel. Her agency recently had an evening reception for volunteers. "I hope that in some small way our volunteers will know that we appreciate them," she adds.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter for the Edmonton Journal. He covered charitable issues for almost 20 years. Thoughts, comments, ideas or a simple hello are welcomed at cam@charityvillage.com.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
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