Staff/Volunteer Recognition

Imagine how your office would work if there were no assistants to answer phones, sort mail, file, order office supplies, fix your computer when you break it, help find a lost file, to assist when you can't get online or to unjam the copier. Probation and parole agencies get through each day with help from office staff and many times volunteers who give their time to enable officers and agents to have more time to be in the field.

Here are a few ideas on how to thank these important individuals:

Create a suggestion box for support staff to submit ideas on how to improve efficiency and give gift certificates to local restaurants for the ideas that improve on how the office gets things done. Just because it has always been done a certain way doesn't mean that's the best way to do it!
When possible, get staff involved in decorating the office with plants. Live plants are a great way to bring extra oxygen into a room and the watering, pruning or cleaning of plants can be a nice stress reducer.
Designate one day during Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week as "Staff Appreciation Day"
Look into whether your local library offers classes in new computer software applications--many times, these classes are free or very low cost. Then, give staff time off during the day to attend if classes are only offered then.
Send your assistant an e-card to thank them for a job well done or whenever they have to stay late to help finish a report for you.
Buy some nice certificate paper and create awards for special recognition or efforts "Beyond the Call of Duty".
Just say "Thank You"!