We have played the bingo game except we have done it with our kennel techs. It's fun. We did things like "dog climbed a fence today", Or "cat pushed almost all her litter out of the litter box'. My techs really seem to like this game. I got them involved in making the boards because they know more than anyone what is likely to happen. Everyone sent in suggestions.
Original Message:
Sent: 02-16-2024 07:45 AM
From: Evie Schenkel
Subject: February 2024 Resource Drive: Team Engagement & Morale Boosters
Increasing staff morale is something our organization has been working really hard at lately. We use Slack as our internal communication system and we've created a "shoutouts" channel where anyone can recognize anyone for anything. People use it for anything from "thanks for holding the door for me!" to "thanks for helping scrub the floors in preparation for a major donor event" - it gets lots of traffic and even those who don't post will react to posts, which is great to see.
Personally, as a manager, I try to boost my team's morale with lots of little things - donuts on someone's birthday, bagels and spreads for our team meetings, we play "Foster Bingo" (squares are things that happen with such regularity with our foster parents/system/animals that it becomes comical, such as "I got pooped on today" or "They system froze and deleted my exam notes" or "all my appointments were on time today" type things). We do one round a month and the winner gets a little gift, typically something around the $10-$15 range. I also try to plan at least one big team-building/appreciation event a year (this year we're doing a Paint Your Pet session), and at the end of kitten season, I had my team out to my place for a bonfire and potluck cookout, which seemed to go over well. As someone else already mentioned, I like to include my team in the decision-making process of what they would like to do - it is for them, after all. I build all of this into my program's budget (about $500ish, we're a team of 4) so that the funds are available whenever I need them/I'm not draining my personal finances and therefore causing burnout in myself.
This year we really want to hit the ground running with foster gatherings to give foster parents a chance to meet and socialize with each other (and us). Thanks to an anonymous donor we're able to hold a big start-of-the-year/you're-all-awesome event coming up, and then going forward we're planning to host regular (quarterly? Every 6 weeks?) gatherings at local breweries/coffee shops that are more low-key that just offer space and time for foster parents to come and go and hopefully build that camaraderie with us and each other.
I hope this is useful information for someone!
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Evie Schenkel
Foster Care Manager
Asheville Humane Society
Asheville, NC
Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2024 03:54 PM
From: Charlotte Otero (she/her)
Subject: February 2024 Resource Drive: Team Engagement & Morale Boosters
This month's resource drive came from a suggestion by Forum member @Sarah Aguilar asking for ideas on how to bring fun to work through team engagement and morale boosters!
Engaging team members is important in our work as it builds a sense of camaraderie by promoting a supportive atmosphere that values collaboration and creativity. Introducing morale boosters like team-building activities, recognition programs, and themed events, serves as a catalyst for reenergizing both staff and volunteers. These initiatives not only provide a break from routine tasks but also inject a sense of enthusiasm and motivation in an often stressful work environment. Prioritizing team engagement is not just about enjoyment; it's a strategic investment in the well-being and effectiveness of your team. When your team members feel valued, supported, and motivated, they are more resilient in the face of challenges and will continue to make a positive impact on the organization's overall performance.
For this resource drive, members are looking for information on (but not limited to):
● What type of recognition programs do you have to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work of your team members (staff, fosters, volunteers, donors, etc.)?
● Does your team participate in any team-building activities or retreats? What type of activities do you do and how does your team respond?
● What type of social events or activities do you organize to provide an opportunity for team members to connect with each other?
How to Participate:
1. Reply on this thread with information about how you engage your team (staff, fosters, volunteers, donors, etc.) and boost morale. Share examples!
2. Reply with how you would like to see team engagement and morale boosters incorporated into your work
Where will the Team Engagement & Morale Boosters resources be stored? How do I view them?
All resources shared on this thread will be accessible in the "Team Engagement & Morale Boosters" folder in the Maddie's Pet Forum Library: https://maddies.fund/teamengagementresources
Share & You'll Be Entered To Win $50
Everyone who uploads a file, shares a resource on this thread or replies with information about team engagement or morale boosters in February 2024 will be entered to win a $50 gift card. Your contribution will also make you eligible to win a $3,000 grant for participating on Maddie's Pet Forum.
This will be our last resource drive for a bit as we determine what other topics and resources are important to you so start sharing now!
Pro-Tips for sharing resources:
Use the "Upload File" button when replying to this thread to attach a file. We encourage you to attach the file versus hyperlinking to the file whenever possible. Files that are attached get automatically added to the Maddie's Pet Forum Resource Library so attaching helps make the resource searchable and improves accessibility within the forum.
Yes, you can share resources that your organization did not create. Sharing is caring and this applies to resources too! Make sure the creator allows the resource to be shared publicly and be sure to give credit to the creator or source organization.
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)
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Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
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