Page 35 - 2018 June Voices

conversation with the man behind the rope. thank you? Do you give appreciation gifts?
Until that talk, no one had told him of the Everyone has a different idea of what the best

negative feelings related to his “gift.” He believes ‘gift’ is. Granted, what I like may not be what
in useful gifts—but he never wanted to insult someone else likes, but if you give a ‘gift’ that
anyone. He thanked me for my feedback saying, is received as an insult then something does
“I had no idea people thought that way about need to change. I spent 25 minutes at a recent

the rope. Ouch. One more lesson to learn.” club meeting hosting a discussion regarding the
He is not a Volunteer Vampire. best way to appreciate someone in a volunteer
He does appreciate his organization. Almost everyone
volunteers’ time. I know agreed that a unique handwritten

that because I have a note is a great way to say thank you.
handwritten thank you note If the contribution is large—say an
from him (from 2 years ago) entire year of volunteer work—then it is
that I have kept because a good idea to have a committee review

it meant a lot to me. In appreciation gift ideas to be sure they
this fast-paced age of will be received well and not end up
technology, I enjoy in the trash can.
handwritten notes and Don’t be a Volunteer Vampire.

cards. I know how hard Remember to say thank you to
it is to make the time your volunteers. Make the time to
to slow down enough to do it. Don’t just rush off to the next
write a note. project. Then, when it comes time

Appreciation gifts to recognize the contributions of
don’t have to be lavish others, be sure that the gift you
—it’s best if they are give is not received as an insult.
not. Some great “thank The moral of the story: don’t give

yous” I’ve received your volunteers the rope to hang
include Starbucks you with.
cards, Subway cards, James Wantz joined Toastmasters
handwritten thank you in 2012. He has served in multiple

notes, mugs, movie District and club roles over the years.
tickets, and a car (ok, He is currently serving as District 7
no one has given me Public Relations Manager, Pathways
a car yet . . . but I can Guide, and Pathways Academy

hope!). mentor and coach. Look for his article
How do you say about Pathways in the June 2018
Toastmasters magazine.

VOICES! | JUNE, 2018 35