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| | Source: Points of Light Foundation, March
2002 |
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The Importance of Recognition |
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Young people engaged in service benefit from effective
recognition. Recognition makes youth feel good about what they have
done, it strengthens their self-esteem and can provide closure to
projects. When youth feel good about their involvement they are
motivated and likely to stay involved. In addition, to the
individual benefits described above, recognition can bring
visibility to your program. This can lead to new volunteers,
increased community support, or even new funding
opportunities. |
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Choosing Whom to Recognize |
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It is important to recognize the young people doing service in
your project or program, but there are many others deserving of
recognition. Parents, teachers, agencies, funders, project
partners, and program coordinators all play a role in the success
of your program. Never underestimate the power of thank you (or of
not thanking people). In short, anyone who had a hand in the
success of a project should be recognized. The recognition doesn't
need to be elaborate, but it should speak to their personal
interests or reason for being involved in the project in the first
place. |
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Selecting Appropriate Forms of Recognition |
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There are many different formal and informal ways to recognize
young people and others involved in your projects or programs.
Remember, the form of recognition should speak to the individual's
interests or reason for being involved in the project in the first
place. It is important to know your audience (who you are
recognizing) and to be creative. Recognition can be informal, such
as saying thank you, a candy bar, or flowers, or formal, such as a
certificate or an article in your local newspaper. See the next
question for more recognition ideas. |
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New Ideas for Recognition |
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Although ways to recognize young people are practically
endless, it is easy to fall into a rut with plaques, certificates,
T-shirts, pins, certificates, and traditional banquets. There are
many great ideas for events such as hosting a coffee house for
volunteers, holding a potluck, or breakfast banquet. Travel mugs,
flowers, a cup of coffee, sending holiday cards, books, music CDs
or gift certificates often speak to young people, but remember
recognition does not need to be expensive. Don't underestimate the
power of saying thank you publicly - through newsletter articles,
presentations, conferences, and bulletin boards you can spotlight
young people that have made a difference in your program, letting
them and the public know how valuable they are to your program.
Another way to recognize outstanding youth is to nominate them for
local and national awards and scholarships. A final way to say
thank you is to provide young people with leadership opportunities
in your program. . Asking a young person who has done outstanding
work to do a presentation at next years new volunteer orientation
or asking them to participate in the project planning process can
be an excellent way to recognize their contributions and hard work.
If these ideas aren't enough, go right to the source - ask young
people in your program to help plan and implement your recognition
activities. This is a powerful way to generate new ideas and allows
youth to be creative and take ownership of their recognition. See
the resource section for more recognition ideas and awards
lists. |
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Hosting a Successful Event for Youth |
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Sometimes an event is a great way to recognize youth, but not
everyone responds to an event. We know that young people are busy.
That might make an event designed to recognize them a burden,
especially if young people have not had input into the event. But,
like most aspects of your program, giving youth a voice in the
planning process should create an event that is more "on the mark".
Also, consider engaging and recognizing partners, funders, and
service recipients at events. |
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Good Resources for Recognition in
Service-Learning |
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Celebration and Recognition of Youth Volunteers Resource
Packet. 1998. Points of Light Foundation. This resource packet
gives an overview and tips on recognizing young volunteers
including 101 ways to recognize volunteers. To obtain a copy of
this resource e-mail
youth@pointsoflight.org |
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Awards Related to Youth Service List. 2002. Points of Light
Foundation. This list catalogs award and scholarship opportunities
that youth groups, individuals, and programs are eligible for
across the country. To obtain a copy of this resource e-mail
youth@pointsoflight.org |
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Harry Silcox.
Motivational Elements in Service Learning:
Meaningful Service, Reflection, Recognition and Celebration.
circa 1995. National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
This resource gives an overview of the importance of recognition
and a description of the different types of activities that fallow
a recognition continuum. |
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Tips for Creating an Effective Recognition Component for
Your Program |
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Effective recognition takes planning. Here are some tips for
creating an effective recognition component: |
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- Celebration usually has the greatest impact on the heels of
achievement
- Involve youth in designing and implementing recognition
activities
- Reward young leaders with opportunities to take on more
responsibility
- Make it fun
- Avoid doing the same recognition over and over (unless it is
always a big hit)
- Don't over-recognize
- Follow the interests of the youth involved in your program
- Honor individuality
- Make recognition sincere and personal
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How to Handle Recognition of Problem
Volunteers |
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Unfortunately, not everyone involved in a service-learning
project puts their best foot forward. In this instance, providing
recognition and withholding recognition are sometimes equally
noticeable. If you recognize someone that is not making good
choices you are reinforcing those choices not only to that young
person, but the other young people involved. On the other hand, if
it were common practice to recognize all those involved at the end
of the project, most people would notice someone being left out.
This could have an effect on other young people involved,
especially if they are friends with the person. |
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It is also important not to start by being too judgmental. It's
not easy being young, everyone brings their own experience to the
table. But service can give youth the opportunity to transcend poor
circumstances and experiences. A young person that arrives and
starts immediately causing problems could turn into a bright young
leader by the end of a project. |
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Running a service-learning program can often be like walking a
tightrope. It is important to balance setting standards and a good
model and using service and recognition to improve the lives of the
young people involved, as well as those being served. But do not
fool yourself into thinking you can just let it go and no one will
notice if you simply ignore the problem. |
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| | | © 2002 Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
Photocopying for nonprofit educational purposes is permitted. |
