10. We are proud to share pictures of our own Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteer, Ray Tinjum, as he accepts the Ron Hammett Award for Outstanding Service to Seniors! I encourage all Americans to learnhow get involved by visiting AmeriCorps.gov and peacecorps.gov/volunteer. There is scientific evidence that grateful people are more resilient to stress, whether minor everyday hassles or major personal upheavals, he notes. What about the concert? Under normal circumstances, the South Carolina volunteers make weekly visits to their assigned facility. I think it's a perfect way to Re-Open and Re-Connect. The LTCOP could not be its best without the volunteers who help carry out the mission of advocating for long-term care residents. Then, link it back to your agencys goals. However, some managers really struggle with saying these words. "We have some incredible volunteers here in Indiana, including a whole team in Area 3, serving residents in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley counties. They arent paid for their work, but they still dedicate plenty of their time to help with duties and details, as well as spreading the word about your organization. National Volunteer Week is celebrated annually during the third week of April and this year it will be observed from April 16 to 22. Whether it's a party, a whole day or a simple gesture, here are 20 volunteer appreciation themes to help thank your volunteers for their hard work. Many companies look for those who work as volunteers for other nonprofits. While most volunteers remain behind the scenes, its crucial to appreciate them for all they do. You want to appreciate the true needs of your volunteers, but many of their expectations are never verbally expressed. Our agency is very blessed to have them! Volunteers give their time, energy and creativity to your organization, and it's important to show them you care. MN Volunteers have helped us reach compliance with new Ombudsman Federal Regulation. Reach out to other volunteer-involving organizations in your community and see what they are planning. A card with signatures from every employee acknowledging their hard work, a gift card to a favorite restaurant, or a small present relevant to a part of your company is a perfect way of expressing your gratitude for their dedication. Go to a deeper level when asking for help and explain what your process was: how you thought up, created, and executed your idea. Recognize Volunteers At An Existing Event. This year there will be 12 volunteers attending. I once had a volunteer who had DONE SO MUCH that I was determined to thank him somehow that would let him know how grateful we were for his deep commitment to our organization. The Points of Light Foundation is planning a campaign for April. 5 min read. Appearing closed-off may make volunteers hesitate to talk to you and refrain from giving input and feedback. Each year our the New York City Ombudsman Programacknowledges the important contributions New Yorkers make to the city through their service. - Jorge Soto, MSW, Managing Local Ombudsman, Area Agency on Aging Rio Grande Council of Government. Rose is 86 years young, has been a volunteer since December of 2001, and regularly visits one assisted living and multiple adult family homes. TheNortheast Ohio Ombudsman Program nearCleveland shared this photo on their Facebook page. NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK (April 17-23, 2022) National Volunteer Week is a fantastic opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time and talent to causes they care about. Everybody wants their work to have a purpose, and these messages will boost volunteer morale. Its a way to form camaraderie between volunteers, and it also gives them access to you and your employees. Behind every successfully organization there is an extraordinary volunteer team. Spa Day in a Bag - Help your volunteers relax with bath salts, chocolate, a candle, tea packets and ear buds. April 20, 2023. 2nd Row: Ombudsman Jeanne Urban, PEERs Joanna Frederick, Mary Ann Kunselman, Patty Walker, Ted Davis, Benny Knepp, Carolyn Lettie & Karen Ford. GRAB IT HERE >>. Share why it matters for overall wellness and team morale. Use one of your bigger events to recognize volunteers. Volunteers will also be provided other tokens of appreciation during these visits. Thank your volunteers and recognize their work publicly by sending NORC brief messages of appreciation for their dedicated advocacy (e.g., examples of their advocacy, years of service, photos). The Ombudsman Program of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc., recognized the PEERs (Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents) at the DuBois Nursing Home. These volunteers are coming without paytake care of them in this way to encourage them to continue helping out. Their stories also serve to inspire others to take action and be a force that transforms the world. Volunteers who have been with you for a long time can train new volunteers, take on more responsibilities, and lead events so you avoid stretching yourself too thin. The following research studies offer more evidence for expressing gratitude: In closing, to genuinely appreciate volunteers, we must go beyond plaques, pins, certificates, and giveaways. National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration observed in many countries, to promote and show appreciation for volunteerism and volunteering. Did You Know The monthly number of volunteers aged 15 years and over amounts to 862.4 million worldwide. Appreciating your volunteers helps to keep your organization afloat by enticing them to come back. For a lunch celebration, order neutral food, like pizza. MyAdministration is committed to encouraging and advancing volunteer service throughout our Nation and the world. We would not want to do it without you. These will be even more effective for events that are further away from your headquarters. He's just about the only person who comes to visit me. Reason #1: Basically its Expected of You. Colored Plastic Sports and Bike Bottle, make excellent volunteer appreciation gifts. U.S. National Volunteer Month in April celebrates the impact volunteers have on our lives and encourages active volunteerism in generations to come. Volunteer appreciationgifts can be crucial to keep them coming back. 2023 National Volunteer Appreciation Week. Not sure how to host? Judy and Maylene. Volunteers' Week is celebrated from June 1 to 7 as an annual celebration of the millions of people who volunteer throughout the U.K. Small charities and larger, well-known organizations alike support and celebrate Volunteers' Week, which brings together hundreds of activities taking place across the U.K. See examples of these posts here, here, and here. You can turn it into a potluckhave each person celebrating bring refreshments, appetizers, and snacks. Have you had a volunteer working for you for years? examples of their advocacy, years of service, photos). This sense of insight is invaluable, as it can lead to transferable skillsextremely important to those looking to find a job that pays (without ending their volunteer work, of course). Thank you for you engagement in International Volunteer Day 2022. Nonprofits can also add information about volunteering, programs, and any other initiatives the organization currently is pursuing and needing volunteers for. Tobi Johnson & Associates | PO Box 23408, Knoxville, TN 37933-1408 We also need to call on that spirit more than ever as wehelp our Nation recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. National Volunteer Month also provides a great opportunity to reflect on how much volunteerism has changed since President Nixon created the first National Volunteer Week in 1974. Host a Virtual Coffee. Send flowers or a card for special days. The Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office shared this Facebook post and emailed the same photo to volunteers with a note of thanks. Since the program isin one office for a large state and many of their volunteers couldnt join them, the goodies will be mailed to them. Drawing on her work post 9/11, the aftermath of Katrina and during the pandemic, Dr.Wehryexplained the natural cycles of disasters, the brain's response to unrelenting stress and how to use this knowledge to nurture our resilience, restore balance, and move forward with renewed optimism, hope and confidence. The Ohio Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is proud and grateful to have 238 certified Ombudsman volunteers dedicated to improving the quality of care and life for Ohios long-term care consumers. You serve the important role as the eyes, ears and voice for people, who need help and support to make their needs known or express a concern, and for those who simply cant speak for themselves any longer. Honor their commitment. Board members should also be aware of any stand-out volunteers. You choose to work to help long-term care residents when there are many other, probably more glamorous or easy volunteer opportunities available to you. The Catawba Area of South Carolina has a small but extremely dedicated group of volunteers. And keep in mind: happy volunteers = consistent volunteers. During National Volunteer Week, we recognize the contributions that our Nations volunteers make every day and encourage all Americans to discover their path tomaking adifference. that acts of gratitudecan reduce stress and make you happier. Heres the best part about an awards ceremony it doesnt have to be a competition. The Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program shared this Powtoon video to thank their volunteers andhighlight what theydo. Gratitude also helps employees (and volunteers) see beyond a disaster or failure and recognize their gains. The theme for the April 16-22,2023National Volunteer Week is Shining a Light on the People and Causes That Inspire Us to Serve. ", A message from Esther Ransom Meeks, Social Media Coordinator, Indiana State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Heres a guide on hosting a virtual movie night within minutes. The Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programrecognizes theirvolunteers during statewide continuing education. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush, declared the theme as Points of Light, when he dedicated April as Volunteer Month and designated it as a national holiday. This was a business leader who had donated above and beyond on all levels: time, talent and treasure for several years. Consider taking a poll of what employees most enjoy doing, and then make a list of different outings based on the responses. While they dont have to show up, they do regardless. Volunteers will feel excited to be mentioned, and newsletter subscribers will receive the chance to see who helps out. Many of our most popular water bottles cost as low as $2 per item, offer a variety of colors and have delivery included. 54. Baltimore County Ombudsman Program is so grateful for the volunteers hard work. Robert Emmons, an expert on gratitude and professor at UC Berkeley, argues that gratitude gives teams a tool to transform an obstacle into an opportunity, and reframe a loss as a potential gain. National Volunteer Week is an annual event celebrated in countries around the world, typically during the month of April. As I pursue a unity agenda in the Congress, volunteering serves as a unity agenda for our national life. Game night is a wonderful way to bring volunteers together. For your next holiday reach-out, include a picture of volunteers together. Its a chance to celebrate, recognize the vital contributions of volunteers, and to say thank you. In New Zealand and Australia, it is held in May. The theme for the April 16-22, 2023 National Volunteer Week is Shining a Light on the People and Causes That Inspire Us to Serve. You can ask for life updates, or show off the house pets, play a scavenger hunt. How can you rebuild moments and excitement within the hearts of volunteers, co-workers, and leadership around the power and potential of volunteerism by getting everyone involved? Thirteen residents of the DuBois Nursing Home were recently honored for their volunteer service in recognition of National Volunteer Week, April 7-13. - Angela Menchaca, Ombudsman Outreach Specialist, Alamo Area Council of Governments, Area Agencies on Aging. Everyone likes to let loose following a large event, so book a reservation (or room) to lift everyones spirits. He's good to talk to. Volunteers are more likely to become further involved in volunteer groups, participate in civic organizations, attend public meetings, andlend a helping hand to their neighbors. Aswe tackle the pandemic and so many other challenges, government has arole to play, but our Nation is stronger, more connected, and best prepared for the future when government, nonprofits, community organizations, the private sector, and the American people work together. The theme for the April 19-25,2020 National Volunteer Week isCelebrate Service. Many of these volunteers have helped with systems advocacy, mentored new volunteers, served 100 plus hours, and all have consistently advocated for their residents. The event was held on April 19that the Fort Sam Houston Golf Course in San Antonio, Texas. Coordinating Volunteers in a Crisis: How to Stay Grounded & Keep Your Sanity, 4 Ways to Beat Nonprofit Burnout: For Superheroes & Leaders of Volunteers. This picture collage will be sent to our Volunteer Ombudsman andwill be followed by a collage of individual thank you messages from our staff. This week-long celebration is about placing a spotlight on inspiring figures whose invaluable seeds of kindness through volunteering are bettering the community and our world in general. Join a 30min Live Demo to see how Donorbox can help you reach your fundraising goals! This commitment to service represents the best of who weare as Americans. Check out some fun ice breaker questions for meetings. Below is a sample of the email shesent to their group of volunteers, thanking them for making a difference in the their program and in the lives of older adults residing in long-term care facilities. People who volunteer develop new skills, build their personal and professional networks, forge a deeper connection with their communities and service organizations, and experience the joy ofserving a larger cause. You can also have them give a few words about their experience at your nonprofit. Volunteering also benefits the volunteers. Put your volunteers names in a bag and host a weekly raffle. You dont want to lose these unsung heroes? Your tireless devotion to your military community makes a difference to all of us who live and work here. Volunteer appreciation can actually help us become more resilient even in tough times. If youre getting resistance to spending time or money, try to understand which your leadership is struggling with. They have great communication skills with the residents as well as the administrators. To recognize them, the Office created yard signs that will be delivered by regional ombudsmen. Its a fantastic time to acknowledge volunteers at all levels from your board of directors to direct-service volunteers to episodic volunteers. If you ask most volunteers, they will tell you they do not want you spending your hard-earned dollars for your program on stuff to give them to show your appreciation. This year, the theme for National Volunteer Week is Empathy in Action. To read more about Arthurt Lappen and the seventh annual Cabot Community Celebrity Cruise, clickhere. Movie Night in a Bag - Pick a seasonal movie or a movie gift card and package with popcorn and candy from the dollar store. They are also sending a letter and certificate of appreciation to all of their volunteers, andthey are posting "MeetOur Volunteer" posts on social media. Email your submissions toombudcenter@theconsumervoice.org. Share your favorite recipes for moose munch, cookies, & popcorn bites, and create a poll to decide which movie to feature. Try using GAZE, Netflix Party, or Metastream. You can also invite a few volunteers to board meetings to voice any suggestions they might have to better the nonprofit and its outputan outside view is always useful. It is the perfect time to offer thank-you gifts and to give your local volunteers heartfelt praise. Its also a fantastic time to raise awareness both inside your organization and outside in your community about the continuing need for volunteers and volunteerism. A nice way to show appreciation is to encourage volunteers to share feedback on their experiences. For example, we need volunteers in education to help students get back on track, and I encourage Americans to support our youth byserving as tutors and mentors or in other critical roles. June 1-7, 2023. Our volunteers in 2016 donated a total of 4763 hours! See if you can provide evidence (survey results help) that volunteers dont believe you are holding up your side of the bargain. "Volunteers: You Make A Difference In So Many Ways!" Our brains are biased toward seeing the negative. The San Bernardino County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program would like to thank our highly-trained volunteers who continue to respond to the needs of residents living in skill nursing homes, residential care facilities and assisted living. All residents completed a 10-hour training session to become Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents (PEER) with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging's Ombudsman Program. It is the story of how one resident'sideas sparked action that forever changed the nursing home industry and created a true home for 450 long-term care residents. The Minnesota long-term care Ombudsman program always recognizes National Volunteer Week with a special highlight section in the monthly Ombuzz newsletter. This public acknowledgment and recognition will go a long way in showing your appreciation. The Alaskan cruise will celebrate more than 60 "Community Celebrities" nationwide whose volunteer work has made a substantial impact on the lives of others.
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