Personal and Sincere

Most of us volunteer or donate in our personal lives, or go above and beyond in our work and friendships because we care.  While we receive intrinsic rewards from our contributions, we feel valued and have a sense of belonging when we are openly appreciated for the contributions we make.  We all want to know we make a difference.  From an organization’s perspective, acknowledgements can make the difference between retaining and losing employees, volunteers, and donors.

My sister volunteers for the opera in the city where she lives.  In the spring, her task is to beautify the grounds around the picnic area and the walkways that opera-goers use on their way to the theater.  Each year, she assists a staff member in developing a garden plan, selecting the plants, digging them into the ground, watering when needed (sometimes at 5:30 AM before the heat of the day), weeding, pruning, and generally keeping the gardens looking beautiful for the opera patrons.  In the winter, she makes and delivers wreaths as part of a fundraiser for the same organization.  Once a year, she makes a monetary contribution to the opera as well.  It is only after she makes this donation that she receives a generic letter of thanks.  There are no specifics about what she is being thanked for.  She enjoys gardening.  She enjoys the reward she gets from seeing the garden thrive and looking beautiful.  She enjoys making wreaths although making them takes considerable time.  She supports the opera because she appreciates their work.  She gives a tremendous amount of time and care to the work she does for the opera.  She would enjoy a little specific and sincere acknowledgment of her contributions.

If you want the thank yous you give to be felt,
make them personal and specific.

This is an example of what the Opera might deliver through spoken words or a note to Jill:

Thank you for the generous contribution you make to the opera.  Your donation helps make our work possible.

Your volunteer work with the garden is a wonderful gift to us.  The grounds looked beautiful in spite of the  interminable record heat and drought.  Your work on holiday wreaths is always appreciated by the recipients and by us.  We are grateful for your help in making our showcases look professional.  You do a great job.

We enjoy seeing you at the operas and lecture series.  Your engagement motivates us to maintain the highest standards.

       Thank you for your generous gift and for your dedication, time, energy, and enthusiasm.

The note above took less than one minute to write.  One minute – given the contribution of a volunteer or donor – can make a huge difference to a person’s dedication and commitment to the organization.  One minute can help strengthen relationships.

Time often seems at a premium.  Large organizations deal with hundreds of volunteers, donors, and employees.  Staff members are challenged to get their work done and get results as efficiently as possible.  I encourage you, even with these challenges and constraints, to consider the long-term value of adding that special note, sharing words of appreciation via a phone call or arranging a get-together – to tell your son/daughter/partner, your employees, your boss, your volunteers and donors – that you recognize their personal contribution and value who they are.  Those efforts will help build a network of loyal and committed donors and volunteers, friends and family members, and engaged and committed employees.

A couple of tips:

1. Be specific about what action or contribution you are acknowledging.  See earlier blog for tips, Meaningful Appreciations

2. Thank yous mean so much more when one individual is acknowledged at a time

3. Avoid mixing messages. If the intent of your message is to acknowledge someone, avoid combining your appreciation with a correction.  The negative comment may take away from the positive message you wanted the other person to hear.  Be clear with what you are appreciating and keep it pure.  There will always be time to communicate what you’d like changed or to make requests.  (This doesn’t apply to work reviews where you do want to combine positive messages with area of improvement).

4. Be clear with what you’re communicating.  Stay true and honest to your intent.  Avoid mixing a thank you with a request.

Example of mixing and belittling the thank you:
Thank you for supporting us in the past.
Please contribute to our fundraising campaign.  Our goal is $X.
Thank you again for all that you do.
Explain your request for time or money and the reason behind the request.  Give thank yous for specific behaviors and actions.  These are two separate messages.  Combining the two lessens the impact of each message.

We all want to be seen.  We all want to be noticed and appreciated for who we are and what we do.  When we take the time to appreciate those who make a difference to us, we deepen our relationships. When we receive appreciations, we recognize that what we do matters and makes a difference.

I’d love to hear your stories about how you appreciate the people where you work, in your home, or in your community.  I’d also like to hear about messages of appreciation you’ve received that have touched you.

Note:  A special thank you to my niece, Margaret, for suggesting this topic for my blog and to my sister, Jill, for allowing me to use her story.

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