Recognition is important! So is saying thank you, often.
United Way can provide your organization with recognition pins to help you thank your co-workers. The United Way On-Line Store also features hundreds of items that can be used to recognize key volunteers, campaign coordinators, contributors – basically everyone who had a hand in making your campaign a success.
Use the following methods to recognize and thank supporters:
Letters - Thank you letters or e-mails can come from your CEO, the various campaign committee members, the local president of the employee union or a child or adult who has benefited from a United Way initiative or agency partner. The more personalized the correspondence, the better it will be received. Also, remember the way in which a letter is distributed can be as important as its contents – try to deliver them personally.
Gifts - In addition to the items featured in the United Way of America catalog, don’t forget about novelty or gift items bearing your company’s logo that you may already have in-house. Contributors appreciate certificates and other items from local businesses as well. Half-days off, gift certificates to local restaurants, prime parking spots, key chains, coffee mugs, pins with your campaign theme or “credits” for any goods or services produced or provided by your organization have all been effectively used in the past.
Awards - Recognition of groups, departments and individuals is imperative, and can be accomplished a number of ways. Certificates, plaques and desk sets are just some of the methods you can use to recognize efforts.
Events - Perhaps no other method of thanks is more popular than a creative and sincere special event to wrap up a successful campaign. Such events show employees just how much they have accomplished and how much their support is appreciated. Consider having a thank-you breakfast, lunch or dinner, a barbeque or a picnic, an ice cream social or a victory rally.
Public thanks - When employees become involved in the campaign effort, it’s important to share the final results with them and recognize their respective roles. This can be done by placing a banner in a heavily traveled area, placing United Way posters throughout your facility, saying thanks on your computer bulletin board via e-mail or via voicemail, and publishing a special thank you edition of your internal newsletter.