Ten Ways to Recognize STC Volunteers Virtually

Tieline

Volume XX
Number 2

By Judith Herr, SIG Advocate

Collaborating Virtual Style: Hints from STC’s SIG Leaders

For each issue of Tieline, a representative of the twenty STC Special Interest Groups (SIGs) shares wisdom, hints, and lessons learned on different aspects of facilitating virtual STC communities, whether subject matter- or geographically-based. Currently, SIG leaders are rapidly exploring various collaborative tools and management styles to provide benefits for their SIG members—and to recruit SIG volunteers and leaders.

As Edwin Schlossberg says, “True interactivity is not about clicking on icons or downloading files, it's about encouraging communication.” SIG leaders are working on just that. We hope that some of the information in this series will be applicable and helpful to other STC community leaders as well.

Judith M. Herr, STC SIG Advocate

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!—Maya Angelou

How shall STC effectively recognize the diverse contributions of virtual volunteers? For STC SIG leaders, demonstrating appreciation can be challenging and rewarding. Recognition is best if public, timely but lasting beyond the moment, and of value to the honoree as well as scaled for the quality and extent of the volunteer’s accomplishments. The gift might be in the form of a newsletter article, a handmade token, a formal title, a commendation, or the good wishes of peers, family, employers or clients, and friends.

The suggestions in this article include some that require the help of colocated, face-to-face community members; others can be accomplished entirely without “real” intercession. Several both recognize the contributions of the volunteer and broadcast the value that technical communicators bring to their clients and employers.

If you have sat through too many community or professional group volunteer recognition events where a somewhat detached presenter thanked everyone with something like, “Whatever you did, thanksalot,” you realize that, as Sue Vineyard says, “Vague turns people off, and specific turns people on.” STC leaders have the opportunity, the enthusiasm for innovating, and the right skills as communicators to turn our volunteers on.

Recognize volunteers in print. Make sure each volunteer is recognized through newsletters, the Web site, discussion lists, and other communication media. For example, send press releases to the publications of STC communities and other pertinent organizations (such as SIG Web sites, local newspapers and magazines, chamber of commerce bulletins, and so on), post news on the STC Web site and other sites and blogs, and include recognition in meeting notes.
Invite active participation in the virtual community’s decision-making process. According to Paul Wellstone, “Successful organizing is based on the recognition that people get organized because they, too, have a vision.” Take advantage of volunteers’ insights and vision to improve the community.
Demonstrate trust by delegating the next biggest job. Although it may not initially feel like a reward, recruiting honored volunteers for more complex projects is a strong compliment and a recognition of their contribution. Pass it on and turn it loose.
Give personalized tokens. Make something that matches each volunteer’s achievement and is personal like a CD/DVD containing a sketch, music, a Web site design, or a homemade movie. Consider a current book, CD, or DVD picked specifically for each volunteer—one that you’d like to borrow yourself.
Schedule an online real-time event. Arrange an RSS feed or a podcast, or hide the recognition announcement on a SIG or personal Web site, then send an e-mail to all members inviting them to the online event. Surprise the volunteer as the honored guest at the event.
Plan to present an award at the volunteer’s work site during a meeting that includes senior managers or clients. Consult with the honoree to find the best occasion and recruit a local SIG member to present an award demonstrating STC esteem. This can be something that will fit well in a cubicle or, better yet, the company display case in the lobby.
Letters, we send letters. Write letters to the corporate bigwigs in the honoree’s company, noting the exceptional work of their employee. Mention how favorably the honoree’s achievements reflect on his or her employer.
Include recognition as an agenda item in each meeting. At virtual and/or face-to-face meetings, make recognition the first agenda item. For example, start off with “Our special thanks to . . . ” Names of those recognized should be in bold and highlighted on the agenda.
Give a gift to share. For example, for a night out after all those hours spent on the volunteer project, buy a voucher for two movie tickets in the recipient’s location plus an ice cream cone certificate. Ask for help from a local STC member. (An alternative gift might be a voucher for a fifteen-minute chair massage.)
Create hoopla at a face-to-face event. STC gatherings include local chapter and regional meetings, and the annual conference celebrations. Stage a parade with music and noisemakers to mark the occasion. A crown or party hat for the recipient might add to the mood. Consider setting up a terminal with an Internet connection to enable chatting with those not there—and take digital photos for posting to STC Web sites.

Revisions, comments, and/or replacements for the items here are strongly encouraged to help develop these ideas over time (send to Judith Herr).

If we are to achieve a richer culture—rich in contrasting values—we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.—Margaret Mead

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