Literacy Basics - Community Literacy of Ontario

Support and Recognition

Once a board has recruited and selected board members it will want to keep them! Building in support and recognition will make members feel valued and loyal to the organization. Volunteer websites and organizations have countless ideas for recognition. The Community Futures Development Corporations of Western Canada is one example of a website with comprehensive volunteer recognition ideas. Another example is CLO`s module on volunteer management.

AGMs are often a good time to publically recognize the work of board members through a gift, a certificate or  a thank you note. Throughout the year board members can be recognized and supported through training opportunities which show the person their contribution is valuable and worth the time and money associated with training and professional development.

Board mentorship is another way to support new members and to show how the skills and knowledge of existing members are valued. Mentoring is in addition to, and a complement to, the governance training and orientation provided to members.

The Maytree Foundation of Ontario has produced a board mentoring handbook that can be downloaded here. It talks about activities, benefits and steps to mentoring. It offers a semi-structured program that involves a one-on-one mentoring relationship between a new board member and a more experienced board member that takes place face-to-face, over the phone and online for a total of nine hours over a six-month period.

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