What are some effective ways to recognize and reward alumni volunteers?

Psychologists confirm that when a message or note is personalised (with the person's name being included) as opposed to it being a common message, that is causes the a gretaer joy in the person receiving such appreciation. Its no secret that we all love to hear our 'name' being uttered or mentioned. Additionally specifically mentioning what they did as opposed to a common message for all also helps to personalise the appreciation. It sends a clear signal that the appreciation acknowledges the specific contributions that were made as opposed to making just a general statement of appreciation. It is indeed way more powerful as a result.

As a faculty member, I remember the contributions of alumni of various batches in my courses. Recently I sent a thanks message to an alumnus regarding his help during many years back. Got a happy response immediately. Hence appreciation for the support and voluntary help will make the alumni happy and satisfied. Also it makes them confident to take up similar activities elsewhere. It is a part of the personal development effort that a faculty can undertake for his students.

One thing I have found helpful is to publicly acknowledge their contribution, even praise them for it. Encouraging them openly is necessary for such work.

What are some effective ways to recognize and reward alumni volunteers? Ans: Host Alumni meet/interaction session, call them for workshop/guest lecture related to placement talk, ask their feedback on curriculum and other work, send them thank you note.

Take note of your volunteers’ interests and preferences. Is someone interested in live performances? Perhaps free tickets to a college performance or an invitation to watch a guest artist would be appreciated. More of a sports enthusiast? Perhaps a brief meeting with the coach or a night in the press box might be fun. Keep a list of your most enthusiastic and/or impactful volunteers, charting birthdays and other special occasions, remembering them with a personalized card. Host a volunteers’ banquet at the end of a semester with prizes, drawings, etc., perhaps a speech from the administration. It takes lots of people, contributing lots of things to make - and keep - an organization successful. Let them feel your appreciation.

Highlighting alumni volunteers on the institution's social platforms and website can benefit them. Many of them have to submit a list of accomplishments for their jobs. The highlight would be a great thing to add to that list. It also offers social proof for those building their brand or their footprints in the industry. Many industries value volunteering, so posting and celebrating their efforts is a benefit to the alumni volunteers as well.

Many universities create notable alumni page in their websites, which include engaging profiles that highlight their outstanding accomplishments. But nowadays, not only the extremely powerful profiles can be shared and celebrated. Social media can be excellent tools to recognize alumni impact and success stories. The small steps they take towards bigger achievements can be shared in a regular basis on social media. By reaching wider audience, more alumni and current students can engage and be motivated. This way, you encourage them to stay connected, and you show your commitment to support their success.

In my Nonprofit Communication course, my students are learning the value of storytelling. It is so important to be able to tell the mission driven stories, and equally important to tell the volunteer stories, they can be as impactful on potential donors as the stories about those benefitting from the organization's mission. As the President of the board of a nonprofit, I recently attended a volunteer training, the volunteers were appreciative that I took the time to stop by and thank them for their volunteer efforts. One of the things I talked about is how they may not always see the impact of their work, but we do! Now, it will be important for us to connect that impact to the volunteers through our various communication channels.

In anything one does 'impact' is what finally counts. Thus even in this scenario of recognising alumni contributions, the impact they created through their actions/ projects should be highlighted, as this encourages not only those individuals but it will also encourage others too to make similar noteworthy contributions that have a significant impact.

The contributions of alumni volunteers are getting more and more significant nowadays. There are many educational institutions where their role is changing very rapidly in the right direction. Against this backdrop the recognition of their continued cooperation is rewarded in a way to make them understand that the institution really wants to honor them. The objective is to make them feel that they are integral part of the institution. The alumni volunteers are invited in important occasions and given due importance. The way to honor them are charging in a very innovative way.

Don’t just get their feedback. Do something with it. Then let them know you responded and the impact it had on the issue they care about. Thank them profusely.

One thing I have found helpful is maintaining relations on social media with alumni students. Every institution should have a database with contacts of alumni students and invite them at least once per year to official university events.

While what they have done/achieved is credit worthy, we all can always 'improve' even in those areas that we do reasonably well. Thus, suggest those small tweaks/improvements that could have made their contribution even more. They will truly appreciate you for it, as they will always respect you as their teacher/mentor. This also inculcates the 'continuous improvement' (Kaizen as the Japanese refer to it) mantra that is also so important to ensure that one continues to 'learn and grow' in what they do.

To engage and recognize alumni volunteers effectively, offer personalized appreciation, highlight their impact, and provide ongoing feedback and support. This tailored approach fosters a sense of value and encourages continued engagement, ensuring a thriving alumni community.

I agree with recognition on social media. As social media is becoming the most effective tool for employment, I think Alumni would love to see recognition on platforms such as linkedIn.

'Appreciation' is an extremely powerful motivator. It is one that encourages anyone to continue to do 'great work'. 'Recognition' takes appreciation a tad higher as something 'tangible' is being done to show the appreciation by giving some kind of accolade for the recognition. This will not only encourage the persona receiving the recognition but will also spur on others by seeing the recognition, wanting to be the next person that receives such a regognition. Thus, all round recognition helps to build a culture excellence in any work setting.

I am a huge fan of creating strategic plans to outline the organization's approach to alumni volunteer recognition. Not only because it demonstrates that appreciation today, but also because the expressions of gratitude are then sustainable and consistent - which is important. If the approach and level changes as people come and go, volunteers will feel let down when the recognition wanes.

Alumni are integral to certain types of programs beyond financial. Oftentimes, Alumni value being included in decision making as well as interacting with students as a reward in itself. Participation in advisory boards, is highly valued for example. But also they value mentoring opportunities with current students. That said, the task itself should not be the only reward. One such recognition is an annual "outstanding alumni award" that gets an associated awards ceremony and a wall plaque that makes their recognition highly visible and permanent.

Involving people in the process of making a decision is in it self a form of recognition as that clearly communicates that their 'voice' or ideas are being considered as being important enough to be considered within decisions. This too can give a huge motivational effect to such individuals who are now made to feel more important and 'empowered'.

Nonprofits often have extensive community networks not found in many businesses. Use that asset to benefit your institution, your volunteers, and donors. Create win-win reciprocal relationships that benefit all involved.

A strong alumni volunteer program always looks beyond what the volunteer can do for the organization. A good plan should involve opportunities for alumni to network and engage with other alumni, including more senior folks, including the board. It then is a win/win outcome for both the organization and the volunteer.

It’s always exciting to take advantage of the college athletics environment to celebrate the team behind the teams. Whether it’s ticket packages for the volunteer, VIP experiences, court side seats, sideline passes or notes from players and coaches acknowledging the individual(s) — our backyard is best used when thanking others. Besides, there’s nothing quite like being thanked on a football field in front of thousands of people or having the mascot show up to your office with a little swag! With advance planning sprinkled with hospitality the results sure go a long way for supporters that give freely of themselves and their time!