#NWV snuck up on you again, huh? Well no fear – there’s still time to pull something out a hat for #NVW2015 and here are a few ideas!
THE POWER OF VIDEO
Get a group of staff together with a video camera and shoot a quick thank you – here are two simple (yes you can do it today) examples to model from Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter and another one from ASAE. Also pretty simple idea is to grab those video clips and pictures from events and mash’em together for a thank you video like Golf Association of Philadelphia or the International Student Association.
Focusing on all the many outcomes that happened by volunteer effort led to a simple text video posted on the National Ground Water Association’s Facebook page.
Here’s one that celebrates the outcomes that members’ drive from Specialty Coffee Association or America. It requires a little more thinking but hey, head over to a member’s workplace with that video camera.
In their video, the American Health Lawyers Association pulled in staff, a little music and a link to download the full list of volunteers and leaders at www.healthlawyers.org/RAVES.
Love this one from KiKi L’Italien who is a volunteer thanking other volunteers while inviting all to join in on a free twitter chat to share more ideas – a message with a bonus (and by the way, her #assnchat happens each Tuesday 2pm ET on a myriad of cool topics).
A PICTURE’S WORTH A 1000 WORDS
Any great picture becomes a great post on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter … Post a picture that celebrates volunteers in action like Second Harvest of CFL or Tyanna Foundation.
While not NVW, American Public Health Association’s National Wear Red Day post is perfect model. The Canadian National Exhibition Association featured a thank you on their Pinterest page and American Association of Diabetes Educators posted on Google+. Consider snapping some photos to tell the story of one of your volunteers in action.
LOVE BEGINS AT HOME
Don’t forget to put a huge thank you on your website – use it to point to your volunteering page like the American Marketing Association. Girl Scouts took theirs one step further and added a cool option to send a thank you note to a volunteer who made a difference for you as well as prompts to use the hashtag to give volunteers shout-outs on social media.
EMAIL WORKS TOO!
Ok … here’s the easiest thing. Send a simple thanks in an email. Ask each staff member to send an email to each volunteer they work with. Maybe you can get your communications department to create a badge/icon or special signature line that everyone can use. If you have a little time, turn those emails into phone calls. It doesn’t matter that you reach people – leave a heartfelt message – might be the nicest message your member-volunteer gets that day!
P.S.
Download the #NVW Celebrate Service Kit free and check out more resources on the official Points of Light page.
Join Elizabeth Engel and I next Thursday, April 16 on Higher Logic Learning Series Webinar as we mark NVW with a conversation on super charging member loyalty and community engagement through volunteer appreciation. Its free so register today and then send us your favorite volunteer recognition or reward story.