Recognition in Service-Learning

Source: Points of Light Foundation, March 2002.

Find new ideas for recognizing your service-learning participants, learn how to select appropriate forms of recognition, and get the resources you need to create a successful recognition program.

The Importance of Recognition
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.

Choosing Whom to Recognize
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.

Selecting Appropriate Forms of Recognition
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.

New Ideas for Recognition
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.

Hosting a Successful Event for Youth
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.

Good Resources for Recognition in Service-Learning
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

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

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.

Tips for Creating an Effective Recognition Component for Your Program
Effective recognition takes planning. Here are some tips for creating an effective recognition component:

• 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

How to Handle Recognition of Problem Volunteers
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.

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.

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.

© 2002 Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
Photocopying for nonprofit educational purposes is permitted.