Let's GoTeach/The Annual GoTeach Process/Step 4:The Volunteers/Recognition

7.5.4.2.1 Recognition of Volunteers

Volunteers are the heart and soul of GoTeach. It’s their enthusiasm and hard work that can turn the GoTeach program’s vision into reality. GoTeach volunteers donate their time because they believe in GoTeach’s cause. They often see their work as reward.  

At the same time, taking the time to recognize volunteers is important if you want to retain volunteers and recruit new ones. One of the best ways to demonstrate the importance of volunteering is to ensure volunteers’ contributions are recognised, valued and accounted for to make volunteers feel as part of the GoTeach community.

The GoTeach Regional Managers are responsible for ensuring that ongoing recognition of volunteers takes place. They can designate or nominate GoTeach Ambassadors on country level to be responsible for the recognition of volunteers.

Recognition efforts vary from the informal thank you to more formal events.

7.5.4.2.1.1 Informal recognition

Some ways you may give recognition to GoTeach volunteers are:

• Adequately orientate volunteers
• Encourage volunteer participation in planning that effects their work
• Provide training
• Give additional responsibility
• Enable volunteers to 'grow' on the job
• Include volunteers in special events
• Take the time to explain and listen to volunteer's ideas and concerns
• Celebrate achievements and efforts
• Keep volunteers informed via newsletter
• Send birthday and Christmas cards
• Allocate notice board space to applaud volunteer achievement
• Work with Internal Communications team to highlight volunteer achievement during the week of the United Nations’ International Volunteer day on Dec 5

7.5.4.2.1.2 Formal recognition

Formal annual recognition varies from different levels of participation in GoTeach. GoTeach has defined four different roles:

• GoTeach Ambassadors lead the program for their country. Plan, coordinate and execute GoTeach activities, motivating and inviting other colleagues to get involved
• GoTeach Supporters allow the execution of the program as part of its regular functions or promote the program at local/regional level, e.g. contact in Finance or purchasing department, Country Manager, Regional CEO
• GoTeach Champions make regular commitment to GoTeach through mentoring or participating in regular activities over the year.
• GoTeach Volunteers deliver GoTeach activities. Acting as role models to young people they run, host, facilitate and take part in GoTeach activities locally.

7.5.4.2.1.3 When?

• Once a year, at the end of all activities in November or December
• During a formal event, e.g. townhall meeting

7.5.4.2.1.4 Official types of recognition by role:

Role	Criteria	Format of recognition - what do they get?
GoTeach Ambassadors	A select number of colleagues who: lead GoTeach influence others to get involved organize activities Ambassadors have a formal responsibility for delivering GoTeach.	GoTeach pin with card Certificate from GoTeach Global (Monika Schaller) Signature for mail: “I’m a GoTeach Ambassador”
GoTeach Supporters	A select number of colleagues who allow the execution of the program as part of their regular functions or promote the program at local/regional level.	At the end of the year: GoTeach Certificate (available as editable.doc in DPDHL design) Message from GoTeach Regional and Country Manager
GoTeach Champions	Colleagues who make meaningful commitment to young people by: supporting multiple or regular activities each year (i.e. more than 3 activities each year) or volunteer in excess of 20 hours	At the end of the year: GoTeach Champion Stamp for Certified Passport (provided by Paul Daley to GoTeach Regional Manager) Message from GoTeach Regional and Country Manager
GoTeach Volunteers	All colleagues who make a commitment to young people by: supporting 1-2 activities each year volunteering at least 1 hour	At the end of the year: GoTeach Volunteer Stamp for Certified Passport (provided by Paul Daley to GoTeach Regional Manager) Message from GoTeach Regional and Country Manager

7.5.4.2.2 General Remarks:

• Just Ask- Once there is a GoTeach plan has been finalized share with the country Manager and SMT – showcasing how this enables us to connect people and improve lives. Also request time to share the plan (what GoTeach is? How employees can volunteer? What the plan is for the year?) with each department to create an understanding of what help is needed, when and how?

• Team – After consulting with the SMT create an inter-department highest volunteering engagement across the departments.  Team from each department participate in GoTeach and Volunteering activities with the opportunity to be crowned the “Most Engaged Team”, volunteer recognition to the team members and a DHL branded item reward.

• Develop an experience and make it unique - Create a volunteer experience that is pleasant and meaningful, highlighting that they have unique experiences and talent they can share with young people. Clearly outline the volunteers’ responsibilities, keep it consistent, interesting and recognize their work and remind them of the positive outcome from their help. Allowing the young people to share their experience with the volunteer and to thank the volunteers.

• Define roles and responsibilities clearly – Clearly communicate your expectation of volunteers, articulate job description or tool or items to support their volunteering activity

• Lifetime Volunteers – Create a relationship with new and old volunteers that will make them want to come back. When managing volunteers, treat them with respect, provide feedback and empower them to have a rewarding experience.

• No is not never – Start recruiting volunteers as early as possible. If a volunteer says no when asked – don’t take it as rejections. Offer them the plan of activities and opportunities for them to get involved, they may not be able to get involved every time but keep communicating!

• People Driven - recruit people who want to be part of a team not to fill a seat

• Position Title – Individuals are looking at the title of the position as it was an employment opportunity. Provide as much detail as possible so the volunteer knows what they are signing up for, how much time it will take for them to deliver and how much preparatory work will be required of them, along with the feedback and empowerment. This might be an opportunity for the volunteer to add this to their CV.

• Volunteer Recognition @ Town halls – recognition of volunteer participation in GoTeach activities in front of their colleagues and by the Country Manager, could motivate others to get more involved.

• Communicating successes and showcasing volunteer impact- Within the specific Business create posters showcasing the volunteers experience along with a comment and photograph. The idea is to ensure that the volunteer is from that particular business and is sharing, their GoTeach Experience  (Previously done in Asia)

Chapter lead	Leigh Swartz