Awards and trophies are not just the reserve of red carpet celebrities, sporting legends or business moguls; they are also an excellent way to recognise some of those people among us who go about their role quietly, yet we couldn’t do without them. The charity worker, the youth group organiser, or the support group volunteer play valuable roles in our society. Without them, many clubs, societies and charities would simply not be able to survive or function.
The presentation of an award to a volunteer has two purposes: it gives the organisation the opportunity to show their appreciation to a volunteer and demonstrate that they recognise the time and effort that has so freely been given, and it is also tangible evidence for the recipient of all their good work.
Events and milestone awards
A popular way to reward volunteers is for a particular event or milestone. For example, a volunteer who has served a specific amount of meals at a senior citizens’ lunch club, or taken a certain number of dogs for walks at the local animal shelter, may well be rewarded with engraved glass plaques for their milestone achievement.
Charity fundraising campaigns that have been run over a long period of time, such as raising money for a scanner for the local hospital or a new minibus for the youth club, also offer a great opportunity to recognise and reward volunteers.
Regular awards
Many organisations are acutely aware that without volunteers, they would find it very hard to survive. To present a ‘Fundraiser of the Month’ or ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award illustrates the value that is put on volunteer workers. It is also an excellent tool for motivation and can encourage the efforts of others who aspire to receive an award like this. Sometimes, praise alone may not have the same impact as an engraved glass award inscribed ‘Community Volunteer of the Year’.
An appropriate message
The most important thing to get right on any award is the message to be conveyed. As well as the name of the recipient and the presenter, the reason for the award should take pride of place. Some organisations may prefer a formal and traditional approach to the wording with lengthy descriptions of the accolade, while some may feel a more relaxed tone is perfectly acceptable.
Humour may also be appropriate in certain circumstances as long as it is still clear that the message is one of gratitude and recognition. An award engraved with a heartfelt appreciation of services to society, whether fundraiser or support worker, should give pride to the recipient, not embarrassment.
The unsung heroes of today enable a multitude of charities, causes and community projects to continue providing essential services in our society. Many rely on unpaid volunteers and organisers to do the majority of the work or fight for a cause.
Also, a certain number of professional, civic and community groups place great emphasis on the value of volunteer work. The rewarding of the men and women, and sometimes children, for their tireless efforts and support is something for which most organisations will eagerly and readily take responsibility.
