Remember Gratitude
In the best of circumstances, moments of change can cause stress and anxiety as we face unforeseen circumstances and build a new normal. In this moment of societal shift, when it feels like change is emerging multiple times a day, organization after organization has shifted into rapid response mode – adapting how they work, how they organize, how they create solutions their members and industries need for the world today. In the midst of all the just-in-time action being taken, an important element will add sustainability to heightened-need times – gratitude.
Staff – If you had a snapshot of your staff 3-4 weeks ago and your staff this week – how many things would look different? Have they had to transition work space and environment to create an ‘office’ in their home? The daily strength they drew from their colleagues – are they adapting to try and find it virtually? Has need shifted such that they are working early mornings? Late nights? Weekends? How many of them are wondering about job security? Perhaps this isn’t a moment where Starbucks gift cards are the best answer (though Krispy Kreme is still delivering!). How are you structuring genuine, regular gratitude? Some examples:
Message from the Chair – Have your Chair record or write messages to the membership about the efforts of the organization, acknowledging and expressing gratitude to the staff as they do so.
Meaningful member stories – If your organization has pivoted to provide solutions your members need to survive/thrive today, try to find at least one such example of impact each week and invite the member to a video staff meeting to tell their story for a few minutes. Hearing how their efforts are making impact is priceless for raising morale and reminding staff of their value.
Thank you notes – Old school, it’s true. Yet, the C-suite writing hand written notes of thanks (sent via postal mail in a time of physical distancing) to staff for what they have been doing shows their efforts are seen and appreciated.
Volunteer Leaders – If volunteers are normally the backbone of our organization, they have become the exoskeleton in these times. More than ever, our organizations are relying on them to feed real-time insight into what is happening on the ground floor while concurrently serving as the voices of organizational direction and stability to the membership, to the industry, and to the public. On top of that, many are stepping up to take on additional volunteer responsibilities to adapt association offerings in this moment of high-disruption. Some examples of recognition:
Recognition of the individual - As new efforts emerge, whether they are fully developed actions, initiatives under development, or insight inquiries, organizations can directly tie recognition to the volunteer(s) who are contributing. Acknowledge names and roles instead of just subsuming volunteer effort and labeling it as the efforts of the organization.
Board as Chief Recognition Officers – Acknowledging peer to peer recognition is powerful. Organizations can tally which volunteers/volunteer groups are making far-reaching efforts each week, and assign gratitude lists to each Board member. Each Board member is asked to send a brief note/video/message to say thank you to the individuals on his/her list.
Space to recognize and process – Knowing that volunteers have taken a larger share of the burden these past few weeks, create an every-other-week Zoom-check-in just for volunteer leaders. It is a way to say thank you, and for volunteers to feel that they are part of a unique and meaningful community while continuing to share important insights about what they are seeing with each other and the association.
Members – In these extraordinary times, we know it is not business as usual. Within our very membership, there are those members or member companies who may be going above and beyond to contribute to the community or to society. This is a key moment to highlight those making efforts to help and aid others. The story of the organization is the story of its members – individual narratives of dedication and helping others further expands the perception of the association as a place of strength in trying times.
Solution Partners – We know with the shift of our meetings, conferences, and trade shows, the very nature of how solution providers have been able to connect with potential customers through the organization has shifted. As associations pilot new approaches to create these meaningful connections, solution providers contributing during these rocky times – sponsoring learning, providing knowledge from the field, etc. – can be recognized for stepping up and encourage others to do the same.
To close – a peek behind the curtain – my inspiration for this article has come from my conversations and observations with dozens of associations over the past week. The awe I feel at how each is rallying their strength to embody the purpose of associating. Together, there is power to overcome, succeed, and thrive. And in that observation, the gratitude I feel for the mission and work of our industry.
