Jump to content

Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2015/Programme/Volunteers/The power of a "thank you" - motivating volunteers by showing gratitude

From Meta, a Wikimedia project coordination wiki

The power of a "thank you" - motivating volunteers by showing gratitude

[edit]
Name(s) and/or username(s)
Natalia Szafran-Kozakowska/Magalia
Type of submission (Please choose one)
  • Lecture (one-to-many)
Summary

Chapters and user groups depend strongly on the work, ideas and time of their volunteers. Motivating those volunteers and keeping them interested in engaging in offline activities is crucial especially for those affiliates which do not hire a large number of staff. Studies show that a simple "thank you" may be a great motivator. And while we do have some nice tools for showing gratitude online (barnstars and the thank you button) taking this practice offline may require some new ideas. I would like to share with you those ideas and projects - mostly low-cost - we tried in Wikimedia Poland and the effect they have on our voluteers.

Expected outcomes

I would like to inspire the audience to search new ways of motivating volunteers based on some ideas we tried or are trying in Wikimedia Poland. I would also like you to understand how showing gratitude may help in creating good atmosphere in the chapter/user group and keeping your volunteers inspired and eager to participate in offline projects.

Duration (without Q&A)

20-25 minutes

Specific requirements

none

Slides or further information
Interested attendees (Please add yourself, and you may indicate your questions to the presenter).
  1. Ijon (talk) 23:48, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]
  2. KuboF (talk) 09:01, 26 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]
  3. --Jetam2 (talk) 10:36, 3 September 2015 (UTC)[reply]
  4. --Mikheil Talk 15:37, 7 September 2015 (UTC)[reply]