Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 02/03/2014

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Hello, Chris— Thank you for your interest in our volunteer program. We do recognize volunteers with a formal recognition banquet on the first Tuesday in October. Anyone who has contributed hours in the previous year is invited, except for group volunteers. We have a nice meal, enjoy good entertainment and pass out door prizes. The mayor and city council members enjoy handing out the prizes. Some volunteers are highlighted in the city's bi- monthly newsletter to showcase all that our volunteers do. Some programs or special events provide t- shirts for their volunteers. Other than that, we just make sure to thank our volunteers often and sincerely. And provide the occasional snack! Last year was the 20 anniversary of the volunteer program. As part of that celebration we recognized 20 volunteers who had made a significant contribution through the years. The mayor gave them special plaques during an ice cream social in which everyone who had ever volunteer was invited. We also gave out special t- shirts to anyone who contributed 20 hours or more during 2013. The anniversary was a big deal and we wanted to celebrate in a big way. I have actively avoided doing yearly recognition awards. I feel that these could be difficult to manage and could cause more hurt feelings than intended. Our volunteers are motivated to help, not get awards or gifts, and have told me again and again that they don't want more "stuff." I don't invite groups because if they all attended the recognition dinner, my budget could not cover that many plates! Including groups, we had over 2,300 volunteers participate, including 500 Girls Scouts on one day! I forgot to address the whole group issue fully. When a group signs up to help, I tell them that if they complete a time sheet (or even just email how many people participated and for how many hours), I will ask our Mayor to send them a letter of thanks. Scout groups usually get a kick out of that, as do corporate groups. I draft the letters thanking "XYZ" group for contributing "XX" hours to keep our parks /streets clean, etc., and leave them for the Mayor to sign at her convenience. You could just as easily create a certificate in Publisher and print out a copy on cardstock if you want something that could be posted in a business. I was at a local restaurant today and saw a certificate on the wall that I had signed and sent in thanks for donating a gift certificate for the recognition event. So apparently some people /organizations value them. Could you highlight these groups or individuals in your newsletter? Or on your website? That way everyone in your city could see the contributions that they made and maybe considering doing the same. And it wouldn't really cost you anything.