say "thank you" 

 
Sixty-five percent of volunteers say they haven't heard the words, "thank you" in the last year. Don't be that leader that doesn't say "thank you".  


The fact is this: Truly great people (leaders, entrepreneurs, change agents) show gratitude freely and genuinely.  It's a phrase that is never unwelcome. Every chapter member who volunteers to do something for the chapter wants to know that he or she is making a difference and advancing the cause. It's your job as a chapter leader to make sure they know this.  

People are not acknowledged enough; they yearn to be noticed. They yearn to know that they matter. They yearn to know that their efforts are recognized and appreciated. A person who doesn't feel recognized, or "seen," likely won't stay a member of your chapter for long. 
Effective recognition is a big deal!  Here are a few suggestions on how to make chapter members who volunteer feel important and appreciated:
1. H andwrite thank-you notes whenever you can.  I n these days of email, texting and cell phones, handwritten notes have become rare. The personal touch matters in the digital age.
2. Set aside time at chapter meetings to acknowledge people's good work. Have them stand for applause.
3. Put appreciation photos on your website and post them on social media.
4. Have an appreciation party with FOOD. Pizza and donuts boost volunteer engagement.
5. Present framed or unframed certificates to hang on the wall or engraved plaques.
6. Reward a volunteer with free IISE membership renewal, IISE conference registration, or IISE seminar. 
And, by the way, thank you for reading The Chapter Link!
Webinar  - Register here
Title:  From Engineer to Leader
Date/Time: Oct. 18, 2 p.m. Eastern time 
Presenter: Timothy J. Greene, professor, Western Michigan University
Explore how to become a better leader in this career-advancing webinar!

2019 IISE/Rockwell Undergraduate Student Simulation Competition. Entry forms for the winter session due Jan. 4, 2019. 
  Visit competition website.  Questions?  Contact Bonnie Cameron 
 

Attention IISE University Chapters! Announcing the  2019 YouTube Video Contest sponsored by the IISE-Industry Advisory Board. Deadline for entries is February 15, 2019. Click here for more information and how to submit your entry.   
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Newsletter