We hold a "Volunteer Appreciation Tea" in May. (though we have never actually had tea. LOL) We get the names from our files and teachers of who has helped out during the year but we also send a school wide RSVP invitation in case we forgot someone and order more than expected. Last year we gave out volunteer medals and we usually have snack type junk food and drinks. (cookies, brownies, etc.)
Students from each class come down to read their thank you letters to the volunteers and the principal thanks everyone. In the past we have had the students draw a placemat for those expected and the volunteer gets to take these home. We have also given pens with the school name, a picture of the school enclosed in a little plastic stand, cups, mugs, etc. The secretary and principal are in charge of organizing the event so that we can just come and enjoy ourselves. Most of the time the staff and faculty donate the goodies so the only real expense is the gift, which when bought in bulk order is usually very cheap.

Our school does a volunteer appreciation tea. Consist of finger snadwiches, beverage and some health and not so healthy snack typ foods. Everyone gets some kind of gift, certificate.

Plus we have a sheet they can put peoples names on, to help us remember someone we might have in advertantely forgotten, for referrals or ideas for next year.

Because our school has been pretty disorganized about who are volunteers and the hours they log, I am sending notes to all teachers asking for names of parents, students, etc that spend time in their classrooms or have helped their class in some way. I will then list these names in our PTA newsletter and in an article for our local paper. Because we loosely started the Three for Me program this year, I will use their footprints to create an area of recognition at each of our two schools.
I do think it's a shame that as volunteers, we are organizing our own thank you. I realize that school districts do not have funding for this but it would be nice to get some form of public notice without us leading it.
Do any of your organizations have an issue with money being used to fund volunteer luncheons or gifts? As a parent, I would much rather see that money go towards our children.

Amie, I missed your point earlier.

I made invitations (we are a small school, that made it easier) with a RSVP on it. The thing with RSVPs is that you have to expect a few that will not respond but show up anyhow. It's better to have a little extra than not enough.

We hold a luncheon in the gym (we don't have a cafeteria). Teachers bring in food and PTP provides main course and drinks. One of the neat things is several classes come in during the lunch and each make a presentation of some kind (song, poems, etc.) thanking the volunteers.

We have a lunch in the library. The teachers all bring in some sort of side dish that goes with what the mail meal will be. The P.T.O. pays for the main dish. We also hand out certificates and we always have a small gift. It is simple but lets the volunteers how much we appreciate them!!

[ 03-15-2005, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: smenny13 ]