Remember when were a kid and your parents and teachers taught you how to thank you? It was drilled in our heads until it became routine. So many of us navigate through our adulthood forgetting the meaning of these words. They are tossed out randomly and automatically often times without meaning or thought. So why is it that we forget to give thanks when it matters the most?
Those of us in the non profit world seem to be the biggest transgressors. Absolutely not you think….. Seems we are always thanking our donors, supporters, employees etc.. The nature of the non profit world is that it should be grateful for every dime and bit of support it gets and let’s not mention the employees who are obviously not in it for the money.
Well there you have it you think. Not so fast… We have all had the stand out board member, volunteer or employee that makes our lives a million times easier. You may have tossed out a thanks or even acknowledged them officially but does that really show them how you feel? If you’re not sure imagine if he or she was no longer around….
So how do we make these key people feel appreciated beyond the basic “thanks”?
Employees- yes they work for you but frankly they aren’t making that much. Remember that employee who will pick up the six huge boxes of donations, stuff them in a cab and truck them to your office ? They that extra mile for you so treat them to lunch every once in a while, give them an extra day or half day off. Acknowledge them publicly when appropriate and don’t be stingy with the praise when it is review time. Just because you can’t give them a huge raise doesn’t mean you can’t them they are doing a great job and are appreciated. We are all on budgets but small acts of appreciation will go a long way.
Committee members…..coming up next.
