I guess I always look at it in terms of what else could have been purchased with that money. If you spend even $50 on gifts for volunteers, I translate that into at least two new books for the library or a case of copy paper for newsletters or flyers. I really have never understood any organization using their fundraising dollars to thank their volunteers. It just doesn't seem right when people are purchasing your product or service expecting that the money will benefit their children, not the volunteers. I also take issue with our parent groups using this money to benefit teachers, whether through personal gifts for them or at staff appreciation time. They are the T in PTA and PTO. What's wrong with providing a luncheon that parents provide...that's where it should be coming from, not the PTA/PTO coffers. There are alot of no-cost ideas available, even on this message board, to show staff how they are valued. Even if you are able to only spend $1 per staff..in our two schools, that would still be over $100. And again, I think, that's four new library books. With budget tightening and programs being slashed, I just find it frivolous to be spending any amout of money that doesn't benefit our children and their school. Just my food for thought!!!
Our exiting board members receive a nice bouquet of flowers at the last meeting they preside at. Nothing extravagant. We have beautiful flowers at our Costco and they are not at all expensive but a nice gesture and an expression of appreciation for all the hardwork. And yes, most of us do not come on board in anticipation of that last meeting to "get something" but all the same, your teachers get paid for their jobs and we spend money on them and all the other staff who get "paid" with teachers appreciation gifts, etc... I see absolutely nothing wrong in acknowledging your hardworking and dedicated board members at the end of the year with a little gift, flowers, certificate or whatever you want. Of course, the dollars spent should not be a lot.
I second JHB on the book idea. As I was reading the posts, that was the first thing that came to my mind. As other stated, I'd rather see the money benefit the school.
If you want to do something personally, invite everyone(if they can all fit) to your home for dessert and coffee or something similar and while you have them there tell them how much their hard work has meant to you.
One more thing...if you just can't go with a simple thank you or a token gift, here's one idea I would like.
Take the amount you would have spent on gifts/plaques and donate it to the school library (maybe allowing those honored to help choose the books). Have some nicely prepared text (like you would have had on the plaque, but have it printed on nice labels to put on the inside cover of the books. It could be one person per book or it could be the group listed.
I'd much rather have the school benefit and my work honored in such a way.
I agree with the others. When I finished my term of office, my principal and board bought me this lovely, symbolic commemorative plaque-like knickknack. I very much appreciate their generosity and kind thoughts. Really. But frankly - it's just something else to collect dust in my house, yet I feel too guilty to get rid of it.
A warm thank you, maybe a card would have been more than enough. In other organizations where I do volunteer work - if they just really feel the need to give something, I'd much prefer a token consumable. A nice candle, a $5 gift card to Starbucks, etc.
For one project a very well intentioned lady bought me a beautiful (and large and expensive) plant to put outside my front door. She even helped me position it. Problem is - I can kill a plant just by looking at it. (My husband laughed himself silly when he heard about my thank you gift.) I tried, I really did. But I had to watch that beautiful plant shrivel up into nothing on my front doorstep - feeling horrible that the people who gave it to me would think I didn't care enough to water the thing.
I agree. A verbal or written thank you is enough. I have been on our executive board for 5 years and would never expect anything except "thank you" We work so hard to raise money for our kids and teachers (we are a K-12 PTO). I would much rather see the money spent on recess equipment or something for a classroom etc. Just my opinion!
