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April 28, 2016

How to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

Filed under: Recognition & Motivation Ideas — PDWriter @ 10:39 am

teacher appreciation

This spring, educators around the country will be the center of attention during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6. Not sure how to get your school or learning center ready for this celebration? We do! It’s all about spoiling, thanking and honoring the men and women who work day in and day out to make sure our children have every opportunity to grow and learn.

Write Notes of Gratitude

If you hold a supervisory role, take an afternoon and write each teacher a heartfelt thank you note. The correspondence doesn’t need to be long, but it should be handwritten and highlight one or two things that you admire about the educator. Consider complimenting a recent curriculum change, how they relate to their students or their years of service. Hand deliver the notes or tuck them in small desk bouquets for the teachers to enjoy all week long.

Tell the World

The National Education Association and National Parent Teacher Association are encouraging students, parents and teachers to go online. Grab a camera and click a photo of your child with a favorite teacher or hold up a sign explaining why you love teachers. Or, get nostalgic and post a picture of yourself with your favorite teacher from years ago! Use the hashtag #ThankATeacher to get in on the national movement and check out what others are posting.

Bring on the Snacks

Teachers love snack time just as much as the kiddos. So, why not spoil them with some fun, unexpected treats? Afternoon fruit and veggie trays in the staff break room, doughnuts on desks before the day starts or even little packs of trail mix in their employee mail boxes are great ways to say thank you.

Get the Kids Involved

Students want to celebrate their teachers just as much as you do! During Teacher Appreciation Week, schedule activities that give the kids a chance to explain what they love about the teachers at their school. Special drawing projects in art class, making up a song during music or wallpapering the hallways with little notes from the kids are great ways to make the week extra special for teachers.

Hold a School Event

Cap off the week-long celebration with an assembly. Honor the teachers by presenting them with special certificates, small gifts and words of appreciation. If the school is small, try coordinating a photo slide show or short video to present during the gathering.

Are you ready to get a jump on Teacher Appreciation Week? Paper Direct has adorable decorative paper, certificates and note cards to make recognizing the teachers in your life a breeze. Shop online today!

April 26, 2016

10 Golf Tournament Prize Ideas That are a Hole in One

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 10:12 am

Golf Prizes

Hosting a golf tournament is an excellent method for raising awareness, connecting with the community, and reaching fundraising goals. However, the devil is in the details, and one major detail to figure out is prizes to give away at the end of the tournament. Not to fret though, because these 10 golf tournament prize ideas are a hole in one…ba dum tss. 

Now get out on the green!

Golf Shirts

High quality golf shirts embroidered with your logo will become a mainstay of any golfer’s wardrobe. Long after your tournament has ended, participants will don your branded golf shifts when they hit the links, further spreading awareness for your organization.

Awards

Whether you hand out certificates or trophies, a physical recognition of the time people gave by participating in your tournament is a thoughtful golf tournament prize. Participants will place their awards somewhere others can see it so they boast about their golf game while talking up your organization.

Golf Balls

What golfer doesn’t need balls when they head out for a day on the links? Load them up with branded ones as tournament prizes they’ll always have a use for (as long as they don’t lose their swing).

Water Bottles

Golfing, walking, or just out and about for the day, a nice water bottle is something people hold on to forever (just look in your own kitchen). A reminder to stay hydrated, a water bottle with your organization’s logo on it will go with your tournament participants everywhere, subtly telling the world about your work.

Golf Gloves

Balls, clubs, tees, and gloves: these are the fundamental equipement every golfer needs before they step on to the green. When you award golf gloves to your tournament players, they’ll stash this gift in their golf bag and use them again and again. It might seem ho-hum but actually, it’s a gift that keeps on giving to golfers who regularly play.

Drinkware

Shot glasses, coffee mugs, beer steins: the only limitation is your imagination when it comes to this golf tournament prize idea. Take it one step further a fill these branded drinkware prizes with golf tees.  

Golf Bag Pouches

There are literally a million uses for these clip-on pouches golfers attach to their bags. From keeping track of cell phones to stashing a flask for a quick pick-me-up on the course, a golf bag pouch is a simple, useful tournament prize people will always use.

Framed Caricatures 

Cherish the memories (and those below par scores) with caricatures commemorating the tournament. This prize is particularly effective if you have a photographer capturing shots at the end of the day which can then be sent to a artist. Here are some examples. 

Umbrellas

An umbrella is an extraordinarily handy device that few people thing to have with them. From providing some shade to protecting from the rain, you’d be surprised how many people will appreciate receiving this item as a golf tournament prize.

Golf Gift Sets

Pack golf bag pouches with all kinds of goodies to make people’s future games more enjoyable. The sky’s the limit when it comes to the products you can fill pouches with, including but not limited to: tees, balls, ball markers, divot tools, sunscreen, chapstick, keychains, screen cleaners, bandaids, and koozies.

April 19, 2016

How to Run (and Promote) a Silent Auction for Your Non-Profit

Filed under: Event Planning Tips — PDWriter @ 9:10 am

auction

Community fundraisers not only get the word out about your cause, they’re also a sure fire way to pad your non-profit’s operating budget and fund vital programming. It’s a win-win!

Here’s a crash course on how to run a silent auction at your fundraiser and get your supporters excited about the upcoming event.

Schedule the Event

Secure a location and date for the silent auction.

It’s best to make it part of a larger event, so it’s simply one component of the festivities. Plan the auction along with a cocktail hour, dinner, activity stations (like a photo booth or fortune teller) and a live band performance to keep the night moving along while entertaining your guests. Since silent auctions require time to view, bid and cash out, it’s best to have it be part of the background throughout the entire event. Tip: To get bigger bids, pair the auction with an adults-only atmosphere that serves alcoholic beverages to loosen up your potential donors!

Collect the Items

Once the event is in the books, you need great bid items to lure people to your event.

Make a list of businesses you can approach in person for donated items or services. Think big and small! In addition to enticing weekend getaways and alluring diamond necklaces, don’t forget about baskets of confectioneries from your local homemade candy shop or a tote of puppy supplies from a pet store. Variety is key. You want things at various price points so you don’t alienate anyone who might like to partake take in the auction.  

Prep the Auction

Once you have boxes of goodies to auction off, prep them for the big night.

Each item will need to be numbered, photographed and included on a master list. Include this listing as part of the event program so attendees can easily scan the merchandise and then find the numbered item when they’re browsing the tables of silent auction items. Then, create a bid sheet for each item. This should list the item, its number, a minimum opening bid amount, what time the auction closes and have several lines for bidders to write down their bidding name or number and how much they are willing to pay for the item. The highest bidder wins! At the conclusion of the event, have a designated person notify each winning bidder and advise them where to pick up their items and pay.

Tell the World

At least a month before the event, spread the word! Your fundraiser is only successful if people show up. Here are a few ways to let people know about the silent auction:

  • Share a photo and description of one of the silent caution item on your non-profit’s social media feeds each day leading up to the event.
  • Explain how a silent auction works on your business blog.
  • Send printed invitations to your volunteers, donors and supporters.
  • Write a blog post that shares the details of the entire event, including the menu, ticket prices and entertainment.
  • Hang posters advertising the event at local businesses.
  • Book spots on local radio and television programs to talk about your cause and how fundraising impacts your non-profit organization.
  • Talk up the event to your friends and family. Encourage them to tell someone they know!
  • Offer complimentary tickets to your top, long-term donors. This gets them in the door to view the silent auction.

Are you ready to start prepping for your event? Paper Direct has elegant bordered paper that’s perfect for bid sheets and posters. Shop their online stationery store today!

April 14, 2016

Diploma Wording Ideas (Ready to Use)

Filed under: Phrases & Wording — PDWriter @ 11:03 am
diploma wording - ready to use

Whether your students are graduating from high school, beauty school, or a technical trade program, you want to provide an official document that honors their achievement. But just because it’s official doesn’t mean it has to be ho-hum. Check out some diploma wording ideas that will give your document the perfect touch.

Essential Info

Before you dive into the wording ideas, you need to ensure you’re including all the essential information a diploma generally includes. This would consist of:

  • Name of document
  • School name
  • Name of student
  • Wording that explains purpose of document
  • Signature, line on which to sign with title of person signing
  • Date line with date filled in
  • Engraved school seal, usually at bottom left, right or center

Although you want to keep the school name, document name and student’s name prominent in larger font, you can rearrange the information any way you see fit. You’ll see what we mean with the diploma wording ideas below.

Straightforward Wording

Since the graduation ceremony is likely to provide fanfare enough, you can go with diploma wording ideas that are no-nonsense and to the point.

This (document name) certifies (student name) has hereby graduated from (school name) this (day, month) of (year).

This document certifies (student name) has completed the course of study required to graduate from (school name).

(Student name) has completed the requisites for graduation from (school name) this (day, month) of (year).

training certificate for special course

Straight-Laced Wording

Schools with a highbrow vibe can try out a few very proper, very official-sounding diploma wording ideas.

(Student name) is in receipt of this official (document name) hereby granted by (school name) for the successful and dedicated completion of the required course of study. Onward and upward (or school motto).

This certifies that (student name) has satisfactorily undertaken and completed the course of study prescribed for official graduation from (school name).

In testimony whereof the (governing body, i.e. board of education) of the (school district) bestows this (name of document).

(Whew; something like that perhaps works best for wordy schools.)

This (document name) is hereby bequeathed to (student name) for the fulfillment of the prescribed course of study and related requisites to earn the distinction of graduation from (school name).

fireworks certificate for creative awards

Unique, Creative Wording

If your students are graduating from a specialty program or facility, you can always ramp up the fun factor with unique and creative diploma wording ideas.

Let the Fun Begin!

This (document name) certifies (student name) has officially graduated from (school/program name) – and can now move forward into the workforce and pay his/her own rent.

Another way to add a bit of creativity and personalization to the diploma is to make a mini list of the most important things the students learned during their studies at your particular facility. For instance:

This certifies (student name) has graduated from Mama’s Motorcycle School and can now move forward in life with the esteemed knowledge that dictates he/she:

  • Applies brake pressure evenly
  • Checks blinkers and tail lights prior to every ride
  • Always wears a helmet

One more idea is to use puns or plays on words related to the facility or program.

(Student name) has hereby graduated brilliantly from the Sunshine School of Solar Energy, a shining example of how brightly a brain can radiate with knowledge.

While diplomas all generally contain the same core information, there is no law that says they all have to contain the same boring wording. Take one of the examples as is, or mix, match, and play around with the wording until you land on the perfect pick for you.

April 12, 2016

How to Recognize Your Administrative Professionals on April 27th

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:36 am

administrative professionals day

While management might be the head honchos in your office, it is the administrative professionals who make a lot happen. From answering phones to helping with projects, administrative professionals are the glue that keeps a business together when there’s deadlines, issues, and busy days. Beginning in 1953, office staff have dedicated time during the end of April to recognizing the administrative professionals that make their jobs easier. On Wednesday, April 27, 2016, recognize your administrative professionals using some of these methods.

Put It In Writing

Whether it’s a certificate or thank you card, recognize your administrative professional with something that says how much you appreciate all of their hard work. If you choose to give out certificates to administrative professionals, consider hosting an award ceremony in your office that really shines a light on these employees and all of their efforts. On the other hand, if you opt to write thank you notes to your administrative staff, get everyone to sign these cards.

Celebrate Their Efforts

How would your administrative employees like to celebrate all of their work for your company? A barbecue for the entire staff on a sunny afternoon? A decadent lunch out with the bosses at a local eatery? Taking a few hours to recognize your administrative professionals with a party or special event is an effective method for demonstrating your appreciation. You could host a dessert buffet in the office and have non-administrative staff make or buy their favorite sweet treats for the celebration. Even a trip to a nearby cafe for a warm cup of coffee and a delightful conversation is a kind way to recognize their hard work.

Take a Break

Sometimes the best way to recognize an employee’s efforts is by awarding them with time away from the office. Give administrative staff gift certificates to a spa for an hour or two of pampering or simply grant them an extra vacation day in the near future. The gift of free time goes a long way towards boosting morale and demonstrating appreciation.

Share The Memories

Is there a shutterbug in your office? Ask them to share their pictures and create a scrapbook or PowerPoint presentation that shows off all the fun and happy memories your staff has had together. If you don’t have a collection of photos to choose from, select one really good picture and have it nicely framed as a gift for your administrative staff. People spend a significant portion of their lives at work, so there’s no reason those memories shouldn’t be joyous and shared.

Invest In Them

Every day, your administration professional invest their time and energy into your business. Return the kindness by investing in them. Whether it’s giving them shares in your company, offering them professional development opportunities, or gifting them with a class in a subject or skill they’ve always been interested in, this is a gesture that continues to give long after Administrative Professionals Day has ended. For example, maybe your administrative professional is really interested in social media so you could pay for a social media marketing webinar for this employee.

April 8, 2016

Dean’s List Certificate Templates & Wording

Filed under: Student Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:30 am

Dean's List Certs

While most folks wouldn’t want to brag about being on a hit list or blacklist, making the dean’s list is a stellar achievement indeed. Bragging rights are definitely included with the honor, which means universities need to provide certificates that are worthy of being shown, hung and, perhaps most importantly, posted on Facebook or Instagram.

A brag-worthy dean’s list certificate consists of two key components:

  • Certificate on high-quality paper stock featuring a handsome design
  • Dean’s list certificate wording that sounds honorable, official and, in some cases, even poetic

Your dean’s list certificate wording can get as long and lofty as you like, although most follow a general template that includes the basic info.

Dean’s List Certificate Templates

Information for a dean’s list certificate template typically includes:

  • Name of college or university
  • Name of certificate or award
  • Reason certificate is being awarded
  • Name of recipient
  • Semester and year the certificate is being awarded
  • Official school seal and dean’s signature

Template Example 1:

Name of University across the top of the certificate

This Dean’s List Certificate is hereby awarded to

(Name of recipient)

for outstanding scholastic achievement in the (fall/spring) semester of (year).

The bottom of the certificate generally includes an official stamp of the school’s seal on the lower left and dean’s signature and title on the lower right.  

Template Example 2:

Name of University across the top

Dean’s List Certificate/Dean’s List Award directly below name of university

This award certifies that

(Name of recipient)

Has achieved the honor of placement on the Dean’s List due to outstanding scholastic performance during the (fall/spring) semester (year).

School seal in lower left corner; dean’s signature and title in bottom right corner.

Dean’s List Certificate Wording

Once you have the general template down, you can play around a bit with the wording to create an overall message that best reflects the personality of your school. Items to consider include:

Name of Document

  • Dean’s List Certificate
  • Dean’s List Award
  • Dean’s List Honor
  • Dean’s List Recognition

Reason for Receiving Document

This (Name of document) is being awarded to (Name of recipient) due to:

  • Superior scholarly performance worthy of note and inclusion on the Dean’s List
  • Academic excellence as evidenced by achieving a GPA of 3.5 or above
  • Outstanding scholastic performance
  • Outstanding scholarly achievement
  • Scholastic excellence
  • Scholarly dedication and greatness
  • Superior scholarly achievement
  • Notable scholastic performance
  • Remarkable academic performance

Dean’s list certificate wording is typically pretty straightforward, although you can certainly add fanfare with the certificate’s coloring, border and other details. The overall vibe is to instill pride and recognition for a job well done – and a certificate well deserved.

April 5, 2016

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Day! Here’s How to Honor Your Volunteers

Filed under: Recognition & Motivation Ideas — PDWriter @ 9:53 am

Okay, so it’s not Volunteer Appreciation Day just yet, but it’s coming! The official day in 2016 is April 20, which leaves you plenty of time to honor your rockstars.

volunteer hours

The National Conference on Citizenship estimated that in 2012, 64.3 million Americans volunteered 7.9 billion hours of their time to nonprofit organizations!

Without the efforts of these generous individuals, many charities across the country would not be able to manage day-to-day operations, meet fundraising goals, or help the communities they serve. Learn how to honor volunteers with these volunteer appreciation ideas this April.

Award Certificates

Establish a program that awards volunteers when they’ve achieved certain benchmarks. For example, when a volunteer has worked 500 total hours, recognize all of that time with a framed certificate. Also, your charity could host an award ceremony and invite all the volunteers to attend as the organization recognizes these impressive milestones.

Decorate the Walls

The halls of your organization should highlight all of the volunteer hours donated to over the years. Pictures of volunteers in-actions and plaques honoring those who have achieved milestones demonstrates how much your charity values these helpful individuals. Have fun with this decorating project and think outside-of-the-box about how you can display all of the amazing efforts donated by volunteers.  

Host a Party

Invite volunteers to a gathering that celebrates all of their hard work and dedication. Whether it’s a pancake breakfast or a formal dinner, get your staff and volunteers together to honor all of the hours of manpower given to your organization. Consider fun themes that really showcase these incredible generous people, such as a Hollywood theme where the volunteers are the stars.

Share Their Work

Whether it’s on social media channels, in a regular newsletter, or compiled in a PowerPoint presentation, tell everyone who will listen how fantastic your volunteers are as often as possible.

From those who help at events to the people that stuff envelopes for fundraising campaigns, share their hours of dedication anywhere you can post a photo and a few sentences detailing their efforts. Your volunteers will feel truly honored seeing their hard work incorporated into marketing and communication materials.

Send Thank You Notes

A handwritten “thank you” card is a personal gesture that goes a very long way. For example, after hosting a large fundraising event that required many volunteers, write “thank you” notes to everyone who pitched in. While some consider this gesture antiquated, numerous organizations know how to honor volunteers, and it’s simply by taking the time to formally thank them.

Give Back

A small token of your nonprofit’s appreciation can be a truly meaningful gesture to volunteers. These gifts don’t have to be fancy or expensive, but should be creative and useful. For example, giving a packet of seeds to each of your volunteers is a thoughtful way to say “thank you” for helping a charity grow while adding something beautiful to these people’s homes.

Happy volunteer appreciation day from PaperDirect!

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