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How We Celebrated International Volunteer Program Manager Appreciation Day |
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"Last year we partnered with our local InterPlayers Theater group and were able to offer a special matinee performance of "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" for the 100 managers of volunteers in our district and their families. As a district, we worked with theater officials to bring the pricing down as low as possible. We then asked building principals to "pony up" the dough for this event rather than for the usual poinsettia or candle they usually present to their coordinators at this time of year. In this way, the entire 250 seat theater was filled with district VPMs. We brought in school board members to say thanks and had our nutrition services department bring in cookies and cider. |
"The surprise deliveries caused more than one staff person to think twice about the value of the volunteer program manager in his or her organization!" |
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"This year, we worked with a local vender to get best pricing on fleece vests with our program's logo. (BRAVO! for Spokane Public Schools - Building Relationships And Volunteer Opportunities) We allowed VPMs to preview the vests and order sizes, and again, building principals will pony up the 15$ the vests will cost. We've been offered a free party at the carrousel downtown on the 9th and VPMs will get their vests then. "Because we are a publicly funded entity, we have to be very chary about spending funds on recognition, etc. I have found that finding underwriters and coordinating buying opportunities is a good way to maximize the power of the money we do have for recognizing the 100 VPMs we have here - most of whom are volunteers themselves." — MaryBeth Smith BRAVO [email protected] "Many networks created certificates for their members. DOVIA of King County sent these with a cover letter to members' supervisors. The unexpected repercussion seems to have been that a lot of supervisors thought their VPM had gotten an award and made an embarrassing fuss over it."
— David Strong, Vice President [email protected] In Edmonton, Alberta, the Volunteer Center encouraged executive directors to order a gift for their volunteer program managers from a local company that delivers festive tins full of popcorn. They ordered the item through the Volunteer Center web site. The surprise deliveries caused more than one staff person to think twice about the value of the volunteer program manager in his or her organization! The Governors of North Carolina and Washington State proclaimed 12/5 VPM Appreciation Day! An Ohio network persuaded a local newspaper reporter to cover the day with a great article on the key role of volunteer program managers in the success of volunteer effort. Other ideas: Check our message boards to read and report on this year's International VPM Appreciation Day! |
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