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How to Develop an Association Recognition
Program When it comes to developing an
association award program, it's important to design one that projects an image of success
and attracts members, motivates volunteers and employees, and establishes your association
as an important, valuable entity.
Careful planning is the most important part of an effective awards program. When developing one, you need to do
the following.
Identify the program's purpose and objectives
Do you want to show gratitude, recognize membership, encourage achievement or reward accomplishment?
Do you want to create a sense of common belonging or mark someone for distinction? Do you want to establish
a stronger identity for your organization or match the personality of the recipient?
Answers to these questions will help you design the right program for your organization.
Decide the kinds of awards you want
The key to successful recognition is selecting the
appropriate kind of award. Tangible awards have proven to be the most effective way -
better than money or other means - to say "thank you" or "good job." In deciding whether
to give a plaque, pin, or desk accessory, keep in mind that an appropriate award is:
- Representative of what is accomplished
- Attractive enough to wear or keep at home or in the office
- Consistent with the purpose and image of the organization
- Right for the level or importance of the achievement
- In line with the organization's budget
- Well crafted with the highest quality materials affordable
Be flexible
A good awards program will be both flexible, yet maintain a basic backbone of
structure. Don't be afraid to discontinue awards that aren't working - i.e. that receive
very few nominations each year. Don't be afraid to create new awards. Associations change,
industries change; your basis for recognition should change as well. That being said, too
much change diminishes the importance of an award. An award that been given for 20 years
will naturally carry more weight than one that was created one year ago.
Create a budget and schedule
There are many ways to recognize people and the most
expensive are not necessarily the best.
It's best to work with an awards professional such as a member of the Awards and
Recognition Association (ARA) who can help design a budget to meet your objectives and
get the most with the funds you have. They will also help you schedule your orders to get
what you want without having to pay rush charges.
Establish the process
Make sure your process is one in which the recipient is decided by a
panel of his or her peers. Recognition by peers is much more powerful than recognition by
those who do not do what the recipient is being recognized for. Integrity of an award
comes from the credibility of those choosing the recipient of the award. Blinding entries
can also be useful for establishing legitimacy.
Plan for the awards presentation
Part of what makes an award memorable and appreciated is
the way it is presented. Given that peer recognition is important make sure the award is
given at a ceremony in which the friends and colleagues of the recipient are active
participants. Credibility of an award is also established by the authority of the person
presenting the award. Think ahead about how you will give various awards. Membership
recognition items are often sent through the mail, so you may not want to give something
heavy. Fine crystal becomes even more precious when presented in an attractive gift box.
Innovative Awards Programs for Associations
Awards professionals serve thousands of
associations throughout the country. They have a wealth of experience in developing
innovative awards programs that more than pay for themselves in the form of increased
effort and achievement. Following are examples of how awards professionals can increase
the effectiveness of your organization.
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