My volunteers are a little "different". They adamantly refuse recognition during any time but the Monday after Mother's Day which of course happens to be the Monday of Hospital Week. That day is totally dedicated to them and the service they provide, capped by a themed banquet where our Leadership Team waits table (often in costume) for them. At the banquet they receive their hours recognition, and they present certificates to various departments for the purchase of major medical equipment. It is unbelievably fun, and everyone looks forward to participating.
My administration actively includes volunteers in all the employee events, holiday gifts and so on. Volunteers have won the major customer service awards, sit on employee service teams, and are involve in many many areas of the health system. We have a "Walk of Service" outside our main entry where deseased volunteers are recognized as well.
As far as Emeretus status, the group has not expressed interest in that, retirement luncheons or any similar concept.
The "Occasional" class I see tend to be disabled and focused on sewing projects for various groups. We do not count them as official volunteers as they create their projects away from the facility and bring them in when complete.
