We have been giving a dinner party for 300, in the museum, as our volunteer
appreciation annual event.  Volunteers are allowed to bring a guest.  We do
two seatings of the dinner, since 300 is such a large crowd, but we set up
a buffet line.  Volunteers are also allowed to take their guest to the
large format theater for a movie, while half are eating.  We have also had
live music as they enter and mingle.

To recognize volunteers, we have had special silver pins made for
increasing hours of volunteer service.  These include an ammonite (150
hours), brachiopod (500 hours), trilobite (1000 hours), shark tooth (1500
hrs), dinosaur track (2000 hrs), etc.  In past years we have given each
volunteer a handful of their own business cards, not with their name, but
stating "Volunteer."  We have also given an admission pass, so they can
bring visiting friends or relatives.

We have been very successful at pulling off a grand event, but we have
basically done the same format for many years, so we are brainstorming
right now about some very different event for next year.  The problem is
the 300-plus people-- that is a huge crowd to put in one place.  Maybe
we'll try a brunch at the zoo, or lunch at one of the hotels?

Tish Morris
Senior Education Specialist
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

+--------------------------------------+
Tish Morris
[log in to unmask]
+--------------------------------------+