Sometimes board leaders think it is a good idea to cut back on awards. The rationale is that it takes volunteer energy to vet candidates. Awards cost money that could be spent on other things. Then there are all the boring acceptance speeches.
Here are ten good reasons awards are a good investment.
- Members like to be recognized for their good works.
- Receiving an award from an organization is considered a credible credential.
- Members will go to great lengths to attend an event where they are being recognized.
- If a member is being honored, their friends who are fellow members will attend the awards event to support them. Family often comes along as well.
- The award will go into the recipient’s bio, their social media posts and resume. This builds visibility for the organization.
- It is hard not to renew membership in an organization which has recognized you.
- Every award is an opportunity to highlight a member on social media.
- Winning an award builds engagement and may be a deciding factor in accepting a leadership role.
- Chances are good that the award will be displayed in the recipient’s office and/or displayed on the winner’s website.
- When you recognize a member, you are sending a message to others that their volunteer efforts will be rewarded and their career enhanced.
Remember, acceptance speeches can be time-limited, and awards don’t have to be expensive. Even a paper certificate is appreciated by recipients.
Some organizations recognize people who are not members, but whose work supports the mission. Often these honorees are celebrities in their profession. Some will give a free speech, and that will be a major draw for members to attend.
I am aware of one group that gives six to eight awards each year. Recipients are well known in their profession. The group takes it even further by inviting each recipient to select their presenter from among their friends and colleagues. Often the presenter is a mentor to the recipient and very well-known. This luncheon event draws a huge crowd and is a driving force in the identity of this highly respected organization.
Just remember that awards can be key in member engagement and retention, drawing a crowd and, of course, honoring those who embody the organization’s mission. Wise organizations understand how awards can drive success.
