Celebration time! Take the time to recognize your wins this year ?

Don’t let time or money constraints prevent you from marking the year-end in a celebratory way. One of the most inspiring things you can do as a leader is help your team celebrate your accomplishments - big or small.

We reached out to our team and the conservation leaders in our network to share ideas they’ve tried, wanted to try, or seen others do for celebrating success. Here’s a list we’re confident has something for everyone!

Celebrating individuals ??

Several leaders from our network share their tips and ideas.

? A simple thank-you goes a long way

It might seem obvious, but I make it a point to thank every team member personally before we break for the holidays. We’re a small team, so it’s easy for me to do, but taking just five minutes to express my gratitude to each person really makes a difference, and makes them feel seen.

? A team gratitude wall

I once saw an organization set up a ‘gratitude wall’ where team members could post notes of appreciation for one another. It’s such a simple idea, but the impact was wonderful - seeing those heartfelt messages really lifted everyone’s spirits. For remote teams, a virtual version (maybe using a tool like Google docs or Mural) works just as well and can be just as meaningful.

? Desk notes

Placing handwritten thank-you notes on individuals’ desks is an easy but great way to thank your teammates and recognize them.

? An awards ceremony

Host a lighthearted awards event with fun or meaningful categories, like "Best Team Spirit" or "Award for digging a Landcruiser out of a mud puddle with a smile”.?These events are always a hit! Just be mindful to ensure that everyone is recognized in some way to keep the celebration inclusive and that kindness is at the core of the messages.

? Appreciation messages from the leadership team

Recording personal thank-you videos from leadership to the entire team has been a hit in our organization, especially since many of our staff are spread across different areas and we don’t often have the opportunity to gather. It’s a heartfelt way to celebrate standout contributions and recognize the collective effort of the team.

? Certificates of recognition

I’ve found that creating certificates tailored to individual contributions can be such a meaningful gesture. Recognition?like “Outstanding Ranger Support” or “Innovative Community Outreach Champion” really help people feel seen and appreciated for their unique efforts.

Celebrating together ??

More tips and ideas from the leaders and our team.

? Year-end gathering

One of our favorite traditions is bringing our field and office teams together for an all-hands session at the end of the year. We reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and celebrate wins, big or small. There’s nothing like being all in one place to recognize our shared impact. And we often have a hearty meal, and a bit of dancing!

? Themed potluck

I’ve seen teams organize potlucks where everyone brings dishes inspired by their own community. It’s such a fun way to celebrate - not just by sharing food, but by connecting and reflecting on the rich diversity within a team.

? A storytelling session or ‘fireside chat’

I love stories! If possible, host a session where team members share their favorite moments, breakthroughs, or successes from the year. It’s a great way to bring the team closer and remind everyone of their shared impact. These stories shouldn’t just come from the leadership team - make space for voices from across the team, especially those members you don’t often hear from.

? Share your favorite moment of the year on your WhatsApp group?→

We’re very active on our work WhatsApp group, and I find it's the easiest platform for our team to access. A simple idea I want to try is to encourage team members to post their favorite moment or achievement from the year in the WhatsApp group. It could be a personal milestone, a proud work accomplishment, or a memorable team experience. Hopefully it gives everyone a chance to reflect and celebrate together, no matter where they are.?

? A fun, team newsletter →

Have a round-up newsletter to share the wins (and fun bloopers or memories) at the end of the year. I've found adding a small quiz on who did what for the team in our end-of-year bulletin really helps people remember not just their great achievements but personal highlights as well. We love to do this at Maliasili.

?Vision board for the future ?→

I love wrapping up the year by creating a team vision board for the next one. We include our hopes for what we want to achieve in the following year, and how we want to drive our work further. It’s such an energizing way to channel our successes into new goals.

? Host a trivia?

I’ve found that hosting a trivia or games focused on our conservation work is a great way to have some fun while reflecting on the year.

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