Its an opportunity to recognize volunteers, encourage volunteerism and charitable contributions, share volunteer stories, and raise awareness about the power of volunteerism to transform. These volunteers remain steadfast in their advocacy efforts to provide key services that make a difference in the lives of the residents they serve. Water bottles keep workers hydrated during their shifts. This video was made for the valued volunteersat the San Francisco Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. [Cheat Sheet] Volunteer Thank You Letter Sample. I think it's a perfect way to Re-Open and Re-Connect. Jan Young, Regional OmbudsmanRoseanna Lewis, Associate Ombudsman and Volunteer Mentor-- Jan Noyes, Associate Ombudsmen and Volunteer Coordinator, "I would love to publicly recognize the wonderful work of the Minnesota Certified Ombudsman Volunteers. Day 4Thursday, April 23 Video - We finished off the weekby having an online meeting with volunteers where we shared our finale virtual token of appreciation which was a video collage of our staff answering the question what do volunteers mean to me? We hope that you all enjoy as much as we enjoyed creating. These simple words are all that volunteers need to hear. January 06, 2023. If your organization is celebrating National Volunteer Month highlights a stand-out partner each week. Rose is 86 years young, has been a volunteer since December of 2001, and regularly visits one assisted living and multiple adult family homes. From Stevanne Ellis, Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The White House And while it may be easier to copy and paste into an email, handwritten notes are a simple way to go the extra mile. If you have many volunteers, you can send out a monthly email featuring a certain number of individuals. Below are photos of some of the ombudsmen doing outreach and one of Ira Walkenfeld receiving his 2016 President's Volunteer Service Award at the 2016 Volunteer Appreciation Event on December 10, 2016. Invite your volunteers to join you via videoconferencing with their favorite beverage to spend an hour to check-in. This practice. Invite your volunteers for a virtual movie night using Teleparty. This letter was sent to the local Volunteer Ombudsmen in Prince Georges County, Marylandto show the program's appreciation. We also need to call on that spirit more than ever as wehelp our Nation recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Joined by other Ombudsman colleagues from across Maryland and DC, the staff and volunteers were engaged in: Reflect, Reclaim, Recharge: From Collective Trauma to Post-Pandemic Growth To recognize them, the Office created yard signs that will be delivered by regional ombudsmen. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all. Photos from the Volunteer Appreciation eventSunday, April 23, 2017where Cabot Cheese Gratitude Grille prepared and provided the lunch forprograms and it was announced that through competitive nomination the ombudsman volunteer, Arthur Lappen, was selected to be the DC Metro area representative on a cruise to Alaska along with other regional volunteers across the country. Now, more than ever, volunteerism needs a boost of energy, excitement, and inspiration. Bonus: 10 Fundraising Raffle Ideas and Why To Use Them. We will post your message on our website and highlight the submissions on our home page. While its always nice to have praise come from you and your employees, videos from clients will have a large impact as well. Consider aligning your events with one or more of these. Think: fellow volunteer-involving organizations, corporate sponsors, secondary schools and universities, local volunteer centers, etc. View a photo of the masks. Just because they donate time does not mean they dont have other priorities. 2nd Row: Ombudsman Jeanne Urban, PEERs Joanna Frederick, Mary Ann Kunselman, Patty Walker, Ted Davis, Benny Knepp, Carolyn Lettie & Karen Ford. Highlighting specific accolades does wonder for self-esteem. You choose to work to help long-term care residents when there are many other, probably more glamorous or easy volunteer opportunities available to you. The opportunities to volunteer are . In the United States, it is organized by the Points of Light foundation, and in Canada by Volunteering Canada.It is held in those two countries in mid to late April. But if you truly want to keep your volunteers coming back again and again, you must stand out and offer original forms of recognition that other nonprofits do not provide. that acts of gratitudecan reduce stress and make you happier. The Difference Between Supporters & Employees. Here are some prompts to get you thinking . These volunteers are coming without paytake care of them in this way to encourage them to continue helping out. This national volunteer week engage in some deep listening and honoring the true needs, and value, of volunteers. And, most importantly: dont forget the cake. Reach out to other volunteer-involving organizations in your community and see what they are planning. While all the volunteers are recognized, there are two that deserve special recognition. Emails, phone calls, and verbal thanks are all common. Many of our most popular water bottles cost as low as $2 per item, offer a variety of colors and have delivery included. Offering more advanced training. How can you rebuild moments and excitement within the hearts of volunteers, co-workers, and leadership around the power and potential of volunteerism by getting everyone involved? Reach out to your local yoga studio and treat your volunteers to an hour of reflection, relaxation, and mindfulness. They arent paid for their work, but they still dedicate plenty of their time to help with duties and details, as well as spreading the word about your organization. This is one of the best ways to recognize volunteers for their hard work. Ombudsman volunteers were also recognized with a special highlight section in our monthly Ombuzz newsletter. The messagesare posted on this page of the website and will be highlighted on social media. and create gift bags for all of your volunteers. Below is also a photo of the award for Manhattan ombudsman Petronella Thomas for April. In fact, an activity as basic as writing a letter or mentally counting your blessings once a week has been shown to decrease aggression. 12. And those who do so often are rewarded with higher, Robert Emmons, an expert on gratitude and professor at UC Berkeley, argues that gratitude gives teams a tool to transform an obstacle into an opportunity, and reframe a loss as a potential gain. There are 25 volunteers with at least 100 hours of service. One of the most popular themes for volunteer appreciation, the inspirational story that accompanies this theme is perfect for recognizing the impact of volunteers. It will take a converted effort to build back to pre-pandemic levels, and now is the perfect time to get started. A nonprofit cant run without its volunteersdemonstrate that to all who support you. It fosters and encourages connection, and they wont see you as an unapproachable or distant volunteer supervisor. ", A message from Esther Ransom Meeks, Social Media Coordinator, Indiana State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This is good news for nonprofits who must address complex challenges every day. Use one of your bigger events to recognize volunteers. Heres a guide on hosting a virtual movie night within minutes. Its also a fantastic time to raise awareness both inside your organization and outside in your community about the continuing need for volunteers and volunteerism. Atevery age and stage in life, volunteers experience the profound joy of giving back. Below is a thank you message to volunteers from Delawares Volunteer Services Administrator,William K. Gadola. The MissouriState Long-Term Care Ombusdman, Jenny Hollandsworth, wrote a letter to volunteers thanking them for their work. To all MN Certified Volunteers , I want to thank you especially for your compassion. Our annual recognition luncheon this past January, with 24 out of 32 volunteers attending. Overall, consider your volunteers as the backbone of the team. 2017 National Volunteer Appreciation Week. These volunteerswill receive pins and a letter from theGovernor. We appreciate the 9000+ hours donated to ensure that residents are comfortable in their home, exercise their right to choose, and receive quality care. He's just about the only person who comes to visit me. Keep volunteers coming back with real, authentic gratitude with our free [Cheat Sheet] Volunteer Thank You Letter Sample. Ask your volunteers to send their favorite picture of themselves, along with a little blurb about why they love volunteering for your nonprofit organization. Please enable JavaScript to use this feature. Happy volunteers will stick around; by honoring them, youre demonstrating a form of loyalty to them which will very likely be reciprocated. Get Buy-In for Volunteer Appreciation Activities, Ah, that sounds more like music to your EDs ears. If you have tens or hundreds of volunteers, even a handwritten signature with their name has a greater effect on volunteers. During National Volunteer Week, we recognize the contributions that our Nations volunteers make every day and encourage all Americans to discover their path tomaking adifference. Creating a comfortable and informal environment for your volunteers will also encourage them to volunteer more and they will continue to offer their support as they feel welcome and rewarded for their time. Scour (affordable) events nearby and splurge a little bit on a group outing. Their stories also serve to inspire others to take action and be a force that transforms the world. They are also sending a letter and certificate of appreciation to all of their volunteers, andthey are posting "MeetOur Volunteer" posts on social media. This sense of care and interest will stand out from other companies that stick to a solely professional level. Gratitude also helps employees (and volunteers) see beyond a disaster or failure and recognize their gains. Join the 50,000+ nonprofits already raising funds online. Below are how different countries and organizations are celebrating around the world. Their stories also serve to inspire others to take action and be a force that transforms the world. Thank you for your dedication and I hope you continue with us to advocate for those in need of a voice." Volunteers are people too, with their own lives, families, and commitments. Heres a guide on how you can host a virtual game night. While our volunteer appreciation gifts are available year round, National Volunteer Week in April was created to recognize those who make a difference and demonstrate what working together can accomplish. Thank you for the many hours you give making site visits, meeting with residents, and attending trainings. Content Marketing Manager, Neon One. The Alaskan cruise will celebrate more than 60 "Community Celebrities" nationwide whose volunteer work has made a substantial impact on the lives of others. The most popular one can be shown at the office for a monthly movie night. Robert Emmons, an expert on gratitude and professor at UC Berkeley, argues that gratitude gives teams a tool to transform an obstacle into an opportunity, and reframe a loss as a potential gain. Long-term care residents across Montgomery County know Lappen as a reliable, devoted advocate who is driven by a passion for positive change. The LTCOP could not be its best without the volunteers who help carry out the mission of advocating for long-term care residents. With the number of active volunteer roles and hours down across the board, it will be critical to raise the profile of volunteerism once again. See examples of these posts here, here, and here. This commitment to service represents the best of who weare as Americans. This form of volunteer appreciation is easy to do and worth the effort. You care so deeply, and you step up to support the things you believe in regardless. Not sure how to host? Everyone likes to feel cherished and that their hard work furthers your mission. It is the perfect time to offer thank-you gifts and to give your local volunteers heartfelt praise. If someones birthday is coming up, write a personal card thanking them for their efforts. The Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program shared this Powtoon video to thank their volunteers andhighlight what theydo. In addition, researchers have found that giving thanks lowers daily aggression, hurt feelings, and overall sensitivity. Who can you reach out to in the media, as well as use your own channels, to share positive stories ad volunteers who make a difference? The week of April 15 to 21, National Volunteer Week, is a perfect time to reach out and say thanks for volunteering with your program and making a difference in the lives of the residents. Whether it's a party, a whole day or a simple gesture, here are 20 volunteer appreciation themes to help thank your volunteers for their hard work. 1. Take inspiration from the theme for 2022: Better Together. The appreciation event is held every year in December. National Volunteer Week is just around the corner here in the US and Canada, and now is a great time to get your plan in motion. Encourage volunteers to invite their families and friends for a virtual game night using a platform such as Jackboxgames.com or Virtual Bingo, Hosting a virtual game night is not at all difficult. People who volunteer develop new skills, build their personal and professional networks, forge a deeper connection with their communities and service organizations, and experience the joy ofserving a larger cause. What is your program doing to recognize the volunteers who give their time to visit and advocate with and for individuals that live in long-term care facilities? Linda Kerdolff, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Specialist with Pro Seniors, Inc. from Cincinnati shared this photo of their volunteers. examples of their advocacy, years of service, photos). She, too, has a big heart and gets to know the residents well by spending ample time with each one listening to their stories and concerns. This award is being presented this April 2017. June 1-7, 2023. And keep in mind: happy volunteers = consistent volunteers. The Waccamaw Region of South Carolina sent journals to their volunteers along with other appreciation goodies and a protective facemask compliments of K&K Fashions of Royalty, see photo here. From The American Presidency Project, Proclamation 10370National Volunteer Week, 2022: "People who volunteer develop new skills, build their personal and professional networks, forge a deeper connection with their communities and service organizations, and experience the joy of serving a larger cause.