Valuing Our Volunteers

Saying 'thank you'

Why?
It doesn't take long or cost a lot, but it can mean so much to an individual.

How?
It is important to reward all of your volunteers, whether this is done publicly or not. There are many ways in which you can reward volunteers, and some are listed below. However, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

How would you like to be rewarded for your contribution to CSSC?

What have other sports clubs and associations done to reward their volunteers? This is one of the few times when stealing ideas from each other is a good thing.

When seeking the answers to the above questions, don't be modest about what you would like personally in terms of thanks - be honest and you will come up with some good ideas. Below is a list of a few ways you may reward your volunteers:

• Say thank you both during and after their performance of their role.
• Send a letter from a senior club or committee official (this can be done annually and/or after someone has perhaps worked over and above their normal contribution).
• Ensure expenses are available, if required.
• Give or send a 'thank you' certificate (this is also useful for volunteers who are using their experience to add to their portfolios/CVs).
• Provide meals, particularly if you are asking the volunteers to be at a venue for longer than half a day.
• Nominate them for both club and external awards which recognise the contribution of volunteers.
• Pay for them to attend relevant skills and training events.
• Award them life membership,
• Have a party for the volunteers.
• Buy them a small present.
• Ensure their ideas are listened to, and act upon them where practically possible.
• Acknowledge them in a club newsletter/website.
• Send a birthday/Christmas/Diwali, etc card.
• Smile and call them by their name.
• Write references for them (if asked) quickly and efficiently.
• Ensure the management of their role and tasks is good, and support them - this can be a great reward.
• Introduce long-service awards.
• Give kit or badges where this enables the volunteers to perform their role (eg so the kit or badges identify them as CSSC volunteers).

Most volunteers get intrinsic pleasure from volunteering, but we all like to be treated well and thanked when we have given our time up for free. It is an essential part of retaining your CSSC volunteer workforce - don't leave it to chance.

(Source: Runningsports - Recognising and Rewarding Volunteers)

Sharing Ideas

If you have a good idea that has helped with volunteers in your organisation, we want to hear about it. Visit the 'Have Your Say' section cssc.co.uk to let us know about your success stories.

CSSC Volunteer Recognition Scheme

Set out below are the CSSC's current methods of recognising the invaluable work carried out by CSSC's thousands of volunteers.

CSSC Volunteer of the Year
Throughout CSSC there are hundreds of people who happily give up their time to help make CSSC activity happen. Without them CSSC couldn't begin to offer as much as it does for members. Their contributions vary enormously and include:

• Helping members keep active through a CSSC Workplace Health and Fitness centre.
• Leading activity within a local Area Association or club
• Organising activity in an office or department
• Making all the difference within a Region
• Providing great opportunities though a local or national CSSC body

Very few of these people expect recognition, but one thing's for sure, they certainly deserve it. That is why CSSC has introduced a Volunteer of the Year Award - the Lord Turnbull Award.

This Award is designed to recognise the member who has made an outstanding contribution in a single year, assessing both their input and impact on the organisation. All CSSC volunteers are eligible for the Award.

Click here to download a copy of the Volunteer of the Year nomination form, or click here to complete the form online

All nominees must be CSSC members.

All nominations received will be considered by our judging panel who will select up to five national finalists to attend CSSC's annual Presentation Dinner.

Everyone nominated will receive a certificate to recognise and thank them for their contribution to CSSC.

If you have any questions please contact Hedley Featherstone, Volunteer Development Manager, via email or phone on 01494 888440.

CSSC Merit Award Scheme
This was set up in 1978 as a way of recognising highly meritorious service given by individual members to CSSC. Individuals have to be nominated by members or organisations within CSSC. The awards are solely within the discretion of the Chairman of CSSC.

Criteria - the individual must have:

• given highly meritorious and sustained service to CSSC in a voluntary capacity.
• shown personal integrity in representing his/her association.
• had a positive and distinct impact on the activities of CSSC in one or a number of roles.

Closing date for nominations 2010 is 31 August 2010. If you have any questions please contact Hedley Featherstone, Volunteer Development Manager, via email or phone on 01494 888440.

The CSSC Certificate of Recognition
Certificates of Recognition, signed by the CSSC Chief Executive, are presented to those CSSC members who have made a recognisable contribution to their local membership.

Criteria - the nominee must:

• have made a noteworthy difference in his or her voluntary contribution to the local CSSC membership.
• be supported by at least two CSSC members.

For a copy of the nomination form, click here.  All nominations must be submitted using the nomination form. Please allow at least five weeks for receipt of the Certificate. Nominations not submitted on the required form or with less than five weeks notice will not be considered.

If you have any questions, please contact Jean Willcox, Volunteer Development Corporate Administrator, via email.

Regional Chairman's Award
At Regional level CSSC Midlands has pioneered a Chairman's Award.

This was introduced by their Chairman, Clive Dennis, to recognise CSSC members within the Region who have given valuable service to the local or Regional membership.

CSSC Yorkshire have since adopted the idea. Other Regional Councils are encouraged to consider embracing this or to look at developing a recognition system or similar award within their own Region.

If you have any questions regarding this award, please contact Hedley Featherstone, Volunteer Development Manager, via email or phone on 01494 888440.

Thank you for reading this and thank you for volunteering. CSSC really values the hard work and commitment of each volunteer.