Recognition Plan
Recognition: we all want it.
It’s no surprise that engaged and motivated advocates are more likely to take additional actions, like submitting a letter to the editor, signing a petition, or attending a rally. As you conduct your campaign, recognizing and thanking your advocates for their contribution to your efforts will be crucial in gaining and retaining your support base.
Volunteer Recognition
A strong campaign starts with a strong recruitment push. By creating a foundation of supporters early, you will have them ready to activate when the time comes. Consider the following ways to grow your base of support by recognizing these new advocates:
- Small gifts branded with your organization’s logo (for example, water bottles or USB drives) can be a fun reward for signing up. To make resources stretch a bit further, consider offering incentives to the first 50 or 100 people who sign up on a specific day, or giving prizes to advocates for recruiting the largest number of new supporters.
- Exclusive opportunities, like the chance to meet with your organization’s leadership or serve on a volunteer advisory panel.
- Certificates or trophies for reaching key milestones, especially when presented at a public event.
- Invitations to attend volunteer receptions or special events.
- Special training opportunities or communications that provide unique opportunities for your advocates to increase their knowledge and skill base.
Staff Recognition
Volunteers are not the only ones who make a campaign a success. As you thank your volunteers for their efforts, make sure to thank the staff members who keep the campaign running every day, when applicable. Celebrate them publicly. If you hold an annual celebration, highlight the good work the staff has done over the past year. Offering awards or opportunities to acknowledge good work publicly lets employees know you recognize and value their work.
Conduct a staff contest to see which members can bring in the most advocates over a specified period. In return, offer a day off or a gift card as an incentive. Highlight the diversity of your staff to demonstrate the importance of engaging all parts of the community. This is particularly important in the disability community. Be sure to staff individuals with a disability to be most effective.
Ask your strongest recruiters of new advocates to lead a call or webinar, so they can share their tips with other staff members.
Key Takeaways
- It is important to recognize and thank volunteers for their commitment to your cause.
- Rewarding new volunteers with small gifts can help increase sign-up rates and excite them about being involved.
- Do not forget about your staff—they deserve thanks too.