Appreciation is Always in Season

I recently spoke to a class of auctioneers at the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University.  Upon returning home, I received several hand-written notes thanking me for my time.  Even though the students pay to receive the education, they still took the time to write me a note by hand (in this high-tech age). That meant a lot to me.

How do you show appreciation to your donors, volunteers, and staff? 

Here are some ideas I’d like to share:

Donors – Be sure to send a note to your top spenders and donors after your events.  After all, your events will not be successful without these people and their support, regardless of how well your staff and volunteers perform. And be sure to reach out to these folks and keep them updated on how their money is spent throughout the year. Give these updates without a request for anything from them.

Volunteers – A simple thank you note goes a long way. Or a personal phone call - not to ask them for future help but to just say “thank you”.  I recently worked an auction in Minnesota where the organization gave picnic blankets with their logo to each volunteer. These were really nice! Gifts do not have to be expensive. One client even shares leftover gift cards from their event as a thank you to volunteers.

Staff – Board members and those in charge of a nonprofit have staff who work with them day in and day out.  Many times these individuals are putting in more than 40-hour work weeks to help get everything event-ready. Even though the staff are getting paid for their work, a little bit of appreciation can go a long way. Gift cards to show your appreciation for all of their hard work would be a very welcome gesture. You might even see you can get these sponsored. And don’t forget the power of a hand-written note and/or a letter in their employee file about their job well done.

Be sure to make these calls and send these notes and/or gifts in a timely manner.  Showing your appreciation to those who help further your nonprofit’s mission should be at the top of your to-do list. You’ll reap the rewards of these actions in a huge way from your donors, volunteers, and staff members.

Make every minute a revenue generating minute!