Our volunteer people strike a nice balance by throwing a classy annual
party for the volunteers in the evening, with proper food and drinks.
Rather than receiving presents, which is a risky strategy, volunteers
are honored by the quality of the occasion and the fact that the
president of the Academy and several other senior people are there and
actively socializing with them.
In my opinion, the only kind of gift that works in recognizing the
contributions of volunteers and other benefactors is a certificate or
badge. I have seen some horrible schemes under which, for example, each
five years' worth of service is honored by another $5 on the value of
the gift certificates handed out. Embarrassing.
As soon as you start grading the value of gifts according to a person's
total contribution, you risk upsetting some and alienating others. Best
by far to stick with medals and just keep upgrading the color of the
ribbons.
PC.
Paul Callomon
Collections Manager
Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
Department of Malacology
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
Tel 215-405-5096
Fax 215-299-1170
Secretary, American Malacological Society
On the web at www.malacological.org
>>> "Fagan Affleck, Diane" <[log in to unmask]> 4/26/2007 8:05 am
>>>
Because of a change in staff, a new person is organizing our annual
volunteer recognition. Our practice has been to have an afternoon
'party' with light refreshments, certificates for each volunteer, and
gifts for several volunteers with higher numbers of hours. The new
person in charge is uncomfortable with the idea of giving gifts since
these people have chosen to volunteer their time, and it's almost
always
the same people who qualify for the gifts. Is this really the way
volunteers want us to use our resources?
Do other museums give gifts or just heartfelt thanks?
Diane Fagan Affleck
American Textile History Museum
__________________________________________________
Diane L. Fagan Affleck, Director of Interpretation
American Textile History Museum
491 Dutton Street
Lowell, MA 01854
978-441-0400 x263 978-441-1412 fax
__________________________________________________
Telling America's story through the art, science and history
of
textiles...
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