The volunteer recognition policy exists to standardize the awards which are given to volunteers to create consistency, increase awareness of the awards, and increase prestige by ensuring a strong brand for the awards.
Policy Details
Award Criteria
The HBA has provided a menu of six awards that may be used to recognize volunteers. Detailed criteria for each award can be found in our Volunteer Awards Guide.
The available awards are:
- LEAD award: An annual award, board-nominated, for excellence in leadership. Highest level award.
- Legacy award: An annual award, board-nominated, for outstanding contributions over a period of 5+ years.
- Marie Curie award: Awarded annually as needed, board-nominated, for outstanding innovation.
- Everest award: Awarded annually as needed, board-nominated, for significant accomplishment in the face of challenges.
- Honored Volunteer award: A monthly or quarterly award, board-nominated, for recent outstanding volunteer service.
- Spark award: An ongoing peer-to-peer recognition.
Associated rewards
The HBA Volunteer Recognition Awards deck spells out what recipients of each award may receive. These rewards are to be administered by the chapter, region, or affinity group giving the award. Funds spent on any awards must be built into and approved in the regional budget. A certificate template is available in the volunteer resource center.
Nomination and Communication
The volunteer recognition committee of your component manages the nomination process for all awards. Please see Award Nominator Survey for full details.
Communication of awards should be planned in conjunction with the chapter or regional marketing and communications team.
In-person recognition of award winners must be planned in conjunction with the chapter or regional programming team.
Compliance Tracking
HBA Central staff will work with the Membership/Volunteer Experience Presidents and Affinity Group leaders to monitor and track compliance with the HBA’s policies and procedures.
If these policies are violated, the regional team will work with the region, chapter, or affinity group to immediately address and correct the situation.
