communication department

By Donna Ford, President, Connecticut Chapter

Editor’s note: This article was originally published with a different title in the May 2003 issue of Leadership Tips, an e-mail bulletin formerly sent to STC leaders by the STC Leadership Tips Committee. The author has updated it for Tieline.

Does Recognition Motivate a Volunteer?

Recognition is probably not first on our list of reasons for volunteering. Our initial reason might have been for experience as a leader, a desire to give back to the community, a love of people. But recognition may prove to be the chief reason that we continue to volunteer. Especially when the sparkle of something new fades and the tasks assigned increase inversely to the joy of performing them.

As individuals and as volunteers, we naturally respond to recognition, whether received from peers or supervisors, given on a personal or public level, tangible or otherwise. Recognition can be as simple as a compliment on a job well done, a literal pat on the back, an ovation at the end of a talk, or a token gift engraved with a date.

Our response to this is immediate, cheering, renewing—similar to the instantaneous delight when we see a baby or hear the springtime song of a bird. Yes, we did it! The conference was a success and others acknowledge it! Keep up the good work!

How Does Your Chapter Recognize Its Volunteers?

Thanks e-mailed to the speaker and host after a meeting are appropriate, but in this impersonal electronic age, not very impressive. Why not CC all board members? Or contact the editor of the chapter newsletter? Now the recognition is “kicked up a notch” from personal to public. If that article is seen by an employer, then recognition changes from peers only to supervisors and might result in a tangible reward.

Here are some additional ways that chapters can recognize their volunteers.

• Present a bookstore gift certificate to speakers. Every technical communicator likes to read.
• Reduce fees for competition judges who attend the awards luncheon. Remember to thank them publicly at the event.
• Host the semi-annual board meetings at a nice restaurant and pick up the tab. This is a small reward for giving up a weeknight or Saturday that could be spent with family.
• Sponsor the STC conference fees for one board member each year. What an incentive to participate fully in STC activities and to volunteer for a board position!

Whom Should We Recognize?

As for the whom in the above question, it is obvious that we STC managers need to recognize, vertically, those on our immediate team. Horizontally, other board members should also be recognized for jobs well done. For example, if your chapter newsletter is judged best of show in its category, the editors and staff deserve praise from fellow board members. STC Distinguished Chapter Service Awards (DCSA) provide a special recognition that is equally suitable, vertically and horizontally.

As for the we in the above question, it is our responsibility and privilege to work alongside talented people. Whenever someone else accomplishes the very thing we admire or wish to achieve, that is time to offer them recognition. The ability to praise another is a true sign of leadership.

Where Do We Spend the Effort?

Acknowledging the achievements of current volunteers might just decrease the amount of time and energy spent in recruiting new ones. In the end, recognition doesn’t really cost. . . it pays.