Creating imaginative recognition events for senior volunteers
Abstract
Recognition events such as annual banquets are held periodically by many service organizations to reward those who participate in volunteer service. Finding new ways to make these events fun and meaningful each year can be a challenge. This effective practice provides creative approaches for Senior Corps recognition events, including ideas on venues, time of day, speakers, separate or joint events, small recognition items, and certificates. Compiled from ideas shared on the National Senior Service Corps e-mail discussion list (NSSCTalk) from February 2000 to May 2002.
Issue
Finding new ways to make recognition events significant year after year can be a challenge, especially as programs strive to appeal to the baby boomer population that is fast approaching retirement age.
Action
Several ideas to create imaginative recognition events for senior volunteers including RSVP, Senior Companion Programs (SCP) and Foster Grandparents Programs (FGP) were shared from February 2000 to May 2002 on the National Senior Service Corps e-mail discussion list (NSSCTalk) hosted by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Ideas on themes are shared in a separate effective practice, "Finding themes for recognition events for senior volunteers."
Steps to take for recognition event planning include:
Venues
- RSVP CENTER: Have an all-day holiday open house at the RSVP center. Have different food and entertainment every two hours. This format allows members who volunteer elsewhere that day an opportunity to attend the recognition event and it gives the RSVP director a chance to talk with a large number of volunteers. The group sharing this idea holds their event the same day that a large hospital holds a luncheon for its 55+ Club, so most of the same people will be out and dressed up already.
[Shared by Susie Reehl, WestArk RSVP, Fort Smith, Arkansas, reehl_rsvp@juno.com.] - UNIQUE VOLUNTEER STATION: Hold a recognition event at a unique volunteer station, such as a local historical museum. One organization arranged to have the museum opened on a Monday afternoon for the group. Entertainment included a storyteller in one room (for the less mobile participants) and a historical scavenger hunt for everyone else. Volunteers were encouraged to bring potential volunteers as their guests. Ice cream sundaes from the old fashioned ice cream shop/drug store display were served as refreshments. As they left, everyone received a helium balloon imprinted with the words, "You are appreciated." The program sharing this idea had attendance at about 70 percent and says that this very inexpensive recognition event was rated the highest of any recognition event by group members. The highlight of the evening, according to their survey, was getting to visit with other volunteers.
[Shared by Susie Reehl, WestArk RSVP, Fort Smith, Arkansas, reehl_rsvp@juno.com.] - SCHOOL VOLUNTEER STATION: Hold the event at a school where the volunteers serve. Students can escort guests to a seat and serve food. The senior volunteers can avoid standing in lines and the students get to express their appreciation. This is also less expensive than holding the recognition event at a restaurant.
[Shared by Lorene Ellerhoff, RSVP Des Moines, Burlington, Iowa, ellerhoffl@burlington.dst.ia.us.] - MOVIE THEATER: Hold a movie day at a local theater that will donate passes. Volunteers choose which movie to see. Those unable to attend on movie day can use the pass at their convenience. Theaters in rural areas may be more receptive, recognizing the importance of their senior clientele. This recognition event has been very well-received.
[Shared by Cathy De Lisa, RSVP of Northern Arizona, Cathy.DeLisa@nau.edu.]
- Consider separate recognition events for SCP/FGP and RSVP volunteers. This might be due to size, or it might be to convey a different message. One SCP recognition had a family member speak movingly about what it meant to have a Companion. The RSVP recognition was bigger and more light-hearted. The end result is that all are recognized for their unique contributions.
[Shared by Linda Hayes, linda@netscope.net.] - Programs that cover a large geographical area might consider holding recognition events in different towns and cities. Consider a joint SCP/FGP program and regional RSVP events.
[Shared by Carole Mandino, Carole.Mandino@nau.edu.] - Consider having a separate event for volunteer coordinators. Invite sponsor staff to an open house at the RSVP center. Serve breakfast pizza (scrambled eggs with sausage, mushrooms, bacon, ham, and green peppers) and coffee. This group also has a craft shop set up in the office. The event provides recognition for the volunteer coordinators, improves sponsor awareness and relations, and raises funds (through the sale of craft items).
[Shared by Kathy Gitto, RSVP of Broome County (NY), kgitto@ccbc.net.]
Time of Day
Many groups hold an evening event, but mornings and afternoons are also good options.
- Host an annual "Breakfast of Champions." The cost is less expensive than a luncheon. All seniors attend free and bring a box of cereal to donate to local food pantries. The group sharing this idea reports collecting 600 boxes of cereal, so the event serves two purposes.
[Shared by Lynne Brown-Zounes, Community Teamwork, Inc., Senior Corps, Lowell, MA, lbrown@comteam.org.] - Hold a buffet luncheon. Have an RSVP orchestra (members with musical talent) play for an hour and a half prior to lunch, followed by remarks from the head table of VIPs. Escort 15, 20, and 25-year award recipients to a receiving line where they pick up a gift. Acknowledge one-year and five-year volunteers at their seats. Provide entertainment while dining, such as a strolling accordionist. Have the orchestra resume while award recipients go to a reserved room for photos to be sent to their local newspapers. Tether a hot air balloon in the parking lot. A combination of fun, food, entertainment, and appreciation makes for a successful and enjoyable event.
[Shared by Linda Ditzler, Linda.Ditzler@southwestern.cc.il.us.]
- Have the volunteers be the speakers. The group sharing this idea polled their volunteers and found out what they really wanted was to hear from one another about their volunteer experiences. A panel discussion was used for the volunteers to share their experiences. The group sharing this idea says it was received very well.
[Shared by Judy Cederholm, Central KY Senior Service Corps/RSVP, Ckrsvp@aol.com.] - Ask Senior Companions to submit nominations of their peers for speakers, and ask the volunteer station supervisors for nominations. The program director selects three speakers from those nominated to speak at the annual luncheon. Each Senior Companion gives a two- or three-minute speech that they first write down and the staff types it out for them. This helps keep the speakers and the event on track.
[Shared by Julie Preis, SCP/Philadelphia, JPREIS@pcaphl.org.] - Have just a few speakers. Instead, emphasize socializing activities such as ice cream socials, big band boogie woogie music, Mardi Gras masquerades, and magical casino tricks to create a fun, visual experience.
[Shared by Kelly Perry Wessels, RSVP of Josephine County, Three Rivers Community Hospital, rsvpjoco@internetcds.com.]
- Invite local home health care providers, residential living facilities for seniors, hospitals, and other interested parties to become sponsors of the recognition for $300 each. For this, each sponsor receives lunch for two of their staff and an eight foot display table where they may display and hand out materials during the punch bowl reception hour held one hour before lunch. Each sponsor also brings giveaways for the volunteers and a very nice door prize. The group sharing this idea reports getting 10-13 sponsors each year, which pays for the recognition event.
[Shared by Jean Joley, Allen County RSVP, Fort Wayne, IN, CapitainJ@aol.com]
- PENS: One program reports that their volunteers enjoy receiving Pentel brand pens that coincidentally are called RSVP. They are available in quantity at office supply stores. This program usually orders 20 dozen at a time and gives them out at least once a year without the volunteers getting tired of them (and many ask where they can buy more.). They have a comfortable barrel and the RSVP imprint doesn't wear off.
[Shared by Lorene Ellerhoff, RSVP Des Moines County, Burlington, Iowa, ellerhoffl@burlington.dst.ia.us.] - NOTEPADS: The three RSVPs in Southeast Iowa coordinate together to order note pads with contact information about all of their programs on them. The notepads are a convenient 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch size. The Iowa State Penitentiary inmates produce them for the RSVPs for a reasonable price, especially when split between the three programs. By buying the pens when on sale and ordering the pads through the prison, these groups are able to give out nice, useful remembrances for $1 or less for the set.
[Shared by Lorene Ellerhoff, RSVP Des Moines County, Burlington, Iowa, ellerhoffl@burlington.dst.ia.us.] - COOKBOOKS: Give each volunteer a copy of a cookbook of recipes submitted by the RSVP members and produced by the RSVP office.
[Shared by Susie Reehl, WestArk RSVP, Fort Smith, Arkansas, reehl_rsvp@juno.com.]
- Ask a volunteer site, such as a school, to print the certificates at their cost or ask a sponsor or friend who does printing. [Shared by Bob Glazar, FGP, ldfgp@mississippi.net.]
- If you have a spread sheet with all the volunteer names, set up a merge file for the certificates and print them at a time when not using the printer for other tasks.
[Shared by Dolores Schwertner, Conco Valley RSVP, dschwertner@wtrc.com.] - Ask your Senator to prepare tributes/certificates for volunteers. Provide the names and what you would like them to say.
[Shared by Tracie Wheeler, RSVP of Kalamazoo County, wheels1991@net-link.net.]
Context
Annual recognition events are held to honor Senior Corps volunteers, including RSVP, Senior Companion Programs, and Foster Grandparents Programs.
Outcome
Senior Corps members who provided these ideas to the NSSCTalk listserv reported satisfaction from volunteers who attended events using these approaches and ideas.
Posted On
May 16, 2002For More Information
Resources
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