WAYS TO SAY "THANK YOU"

There are many ways to say “thank you”, but whatever form is chosen, it should be suitable, not only for the particular service rendered, but also for the person or group/troop giving or receiving recognition. When possible, recognition should be given promptly.

 

In a troop/group meeting, have the girls make recognitions for future use during the year. Gifts that often mean the most are those that reflect the creativity of the giver. Below are some suggestions:

  • A thank you from shelf paper, which the girls decorate, and sign.

  • Postcards.

  • Paper flowers.

  • Write a thank you note.

  • Draw a picture.

  • Make bookmarks.

  • Make dough art or pins.

  • Make a plaque with Polaroid picture of girls.

  • Parent tribute written by girls.

  • Make a sock or cornhusk doll.

  • Write a poem.

  • Make friendship ties.

  • Shrink art.

  • Grow plants.

  • Make a pillow.

  • Baskets

  • Decorated candle.

Recognition the troop gives to the adults:

  • Give a Girls Scouts – Spanish Trails Council patch.

  • Give a Thank You-Super Mom, Wonderful Dad, Girl Scout Friend patch.

  • Thank you note.

  • Make buttons.

  • Angels on a string.

  • Make cookies.

  • Bunch of flowers, a corsage, a bouquet of daisies, Girl Scout Roses or Brownie Girl Scout Marigolds.

  • Girl Scout Friendship Pin or Trefoil Pin.

Thank you from the service team to leaders and parents

  • Invite to community dinner (e.g. spaghetti), luncheon, or party to provide a festive “thank you”.

  • Present a friendship tie or button.

  • Have community door prizes.

  • Have proclamations for troop leaders.

  • Door prizes for leaders who turn in end of year reports.

  • Newspaper articles on outstanding parents, leaders or “Thank You” ad.

  • Service team goes to troop meeting – have leaders leave for coffee and take a picture of girls – have girls write a thank you note.

  • Give certificates and scrolls of appreciation.

  • Volunteer of the Month.

  • Hidden Heroine/Hero

  • A verbal “thank you” given often is never wasted.

  • Thank you notes – to let other know how we feel about them and the job they did so well.

  • Girl Scout gift or token with/without personal inscription, selected for appropriateness. For ideas refer to the Girl Scout Equipment Catalog, and /or Girl Scout publications/audio visual catalog.

  • Enrollment in the Spanish Trails Girl Scout Honour Society.

  • A display of pictures at meetings and on community bulletin boards honoring individuals or groups (also sponsoring troops) at schools.

Other ways to recognize all volunteers:

  • Say “Thank you” often

  • Put up a leader suggestion box

  • Treat to a soda

  • Ask for a report and use it

  • Send a birthday card

  •  Arrange for discount vouchers

  •  Present year of service numerals

  •  Post Honor Roll in reception and meeting areas

  •  Give informal teas

  •  Be pleasant

  •  Give a bouquet of balloons

  •  Send a Holiday card

  •  Provide child care

  •  Greet by name

  •  Award plaques to sponsoring groups

  •  Take time to explain

  •  Invite volunteer to do something they do   well and acknowledge her/his skill

  •  Respect sensitivities

  •  Enlist to train other volunteers

  •  Take time to talk

  •  Plan a theater party

  • Provide opportunities for volunteers to attend conferences or workshops

  • Praise them to their friends

  • Celebrate outstanding projects and achievements

  • Nominate or volunteer awards

  •  Have a "Presidents Day" for new president of sponsoring groups

  •  Provide opportunities for conference and evaluations

  •  Send impromptu fun cards

  •  Plan occasional extravaganzas

  •  Send letter of appreciation to volunteer or parent

  •  Color code name tags to indicate particular achievements (hour, years, unit, etc.)

  •  Send letters of commendation to prominent public figures

  •  Say "We missed  you"

  •  Have a picnic

  •  Create pleasant surrounding
Taken from Ready Reference pg. 12-7.  


Last updated Monday August 29, 2005
©2002 Las Caballeras Girl Scouts Neighborhood

The GIRL SCOUTS name, mark and all associated trademarks and logotypes,
including the Trefoil Design, are owned by GSUSA.