Chapter 41., Section 3. Recognizing Goal Attainment — Main Section | Community Tool Box

• What kinds of goal attainment should you recognize?

• Why recognize goal attainment?

• Whom should you include in the recognition of goal attainment?

• When is the best time to recognize goal attainment?

• How do you recognize goal attainment?

As the end of its first year approached, the North Quabbin Community Coalition had become a going concern, with over 60 people having attended meetings and served on task forces. Funding for an Information and Referral service - one of the area's greatest needs - had been proposed and obtained, and planning for new initiatives was under way. Now it was time for the Coalition to mark the occasion, recognize the people who contributed, and share its first-year accomplishments with the community.

After some debate, the Steering Committee decided on a year-end luncheon and formed a subcommittee to organize it. The subcommittee found a local caterer whose prices were reasonable, set a modest ticket price that would cover most of the costs, and created a way for people who could not afford the charge to attend without embarrassment. In addition to invitations to everyone on the Coalition's mailing list, it sent press releases and invitations to local media.

The luncheon featured a keynote speaker, short addresses by state and local officials, recognition for community service and contributions to the Coalition's first-year accomplishments, and, most important, a celebration of the fact that the Coalition had reached its initial goals.

When an organization or initiative achieves a meaningful goal, it is worth recognizing the accomplishment. Community members may benefit from knowing what has been achieved, how it was accomplished, and who contributed. Recognition also gives the organization an opportunity to appreciate its staff, volunteers, participants, partners, and community members, reflect on what has been learned, and prepare for the next stage of the work. This section, part of a chapter about celebrating work well done, focuses specifically on recognizing goal attainment.

What kinds of goal attainment should you recognize?

There are a number of different types of goal attainment that may be worthy of recognition. They include organizational milestones; organizational accomplishments; important events; and achievements by individuals or teams involved in the organization.

Organizational time milestones

For many community-based and grassroots organizations and initiatives, sustaining the work over time is itself an important accomplishment. Reaching a first anniversary, a fifth year, a tenth year, or another meaningful milestone can provide an opportunity to recognize persistence, relationships, learning, and the contributions that have helped the organization continue its work.

For example, one adult literacy organization held an open house on its first anniversary and invited learners, staff, volunteers, community partners, and the press. In subsequent years, it continued to celebrate its anniversary and share information about the program's accomplishments and development.

On its tenth anniversary, the organization staged a celebration and invited people who had been involved throughout its history, as well as members of the media. A scrapbook documenting the organization's history - press clippings, photographs, flyers, brochures, grants, and other materials - was displayed and eventually given to the founders. People who had contributed to the organization's development were also recognized and thanked.

The celebration served several purposes: it increased community awareness of the organization; recognized that the program had sustained its work for ten years; honored people who had contributed; helped newer learners and staff feel connected to the organization; and gave people with longer involvement an opportunity to reflect on what their efforts had accomplished.

Organizational accomplishments

Some examples of goal attainment that may be worth recognizing include:

• Reaching program or community outcome goals. These goals may involve specific changes the organization hoped to support - for example, pregnancies among adolescents decreased by 15% - as well as increased access to services, improved community conditions, or development of a new program or resource.
• Reaching participation or membership goals. This might involve growth in membership or participation, greater representation from groups previously underrepresented in the effort, or broader involvement from neighborhoods or communities affected by the issue.
• Reaching fundraising goals. Organizations may choose to recognize reaching a financial goal that supports important programs, services, or community work. Public reporting of fundraising progress should be accurate and transparent about how resources will be used.
• Receiving a significant grant or other funding. A new public appropriation, foundation grant, major donation, or other funding commitment may make possible work that the organization and community have pursued for a long time.

Public agencies and funders sometimes hold ceremonies to announce major grants or investments in community programs. Such occasions can recognize the organizations and communities involved while also providing an opportunity to explain what the resources will support and what outcomes are expected.

• Awards or other recognition of the organization from outside sources. Although these may not have been formal organizational goals, they can mark important milestones, recognize the quality or impact of the work, and affirm the contributions of the people involved.

Important events

Important events may represent the achievement of a long-term community goal. An agreement that helps resolve longstanding conflict among community groups, an adult literacy or job training graduation, or the opening of a local clinic or mental health center may represent the result of years of work. Such moments can be opportunities to recognize the people involved, reflect on what made the accomplishment possible, and share the achievement with the broader community.

Attainment of specific achievements by staff members or other significant people in the organization

Examples of achievements to recognize might include:

• Significant anniversaries of service or involvement
• Completion of a degree, certification, training program, or other educational milestone
• Election to a professional role or receipt of an award from a professional or community organization
• Promotion, expanded leadership responsibility, or another important transition within the organization

Why recognize goal attainment?

There are reasons for celebrating reaching your goals that relate to both the community and the internal life of your organization.

• Public recognition of goal attainment can increase community understanding of your organization and its work. Sharing accomplishments can:
  • Remind community members who you are, what you do, and why the work matters
  • Invite new participants, volunteers, partners, or contributors
  • Demonstrate progress toward goals and accountability for the organization's commitments
  • Draw attention to the priorities, strengths, needs, and experiences of people and communities most directly affected by the issue
  • Highlight opportunities for people to contribute time, knowledge, partnerships, or resources
  • Help community members understand the issue and what has been learned through the work
• Public or private recognition of goal attainment can support morale, connection, and motivation among staff and volunteers.
  • Reaching an important goal can give people a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work.
  • Explicit recognition acknowledges the time, knowledge, creativity, and effort people contributed.
  • Reflecting on progress can remind people that change is possible and renew energy for future work.
  • Celebration can also provide an important opportunity for connection and rest. Community health and development work can be demanding, and recognizing accomplishments can remind people why the work matters.
• Celebration of goal attainment contributes to the organization's culture, shared history, and identity.

Every organization develops its own culture - the values, practices, relationships, and ways of understanding its work - and its own history and shared story. Stories about how the organization began, the challenges it faced, the people who contributed, and the accomplishments it achieved can help create identity and continuity. These stories should remain open to multiple perspectives rather than presenting only one official version of the organization's history.

• Recognition occasions mark important achievements in the organization's history and help people remember them.
• Stories, photographs, reflections, and other records from these occasions can contribute to the organization's shared history.
• Including newer staff, volunteers, members, and participants can help them understand the organization's history and feel connected to its work.
• A public celebration can also connect the organization's story with the broader community and recognize the community's contribution to the work.

Whom should you include in the recognition of goal attainment?

There are many different ways to recognize reaching a goal. Whom you invite depends on the purpose and format of the recognition. Some acknowledgments may involve only the people directly connected to the work, while others may appropriately include the broader community.

If your purpose is primarily internal, a smaller recognition may be appropriate. If your purpose includes community accountability, public communication, or broader celebration, consider including community members and partners as well. The people who contributed to or were most affected by the work should not be overlooked simply because they do not hold formal positions within the organization.

Internal recognition

A brief announcement through email, an internal messaging platform, a meeting, or another staff communication may sometimes be enough. If you're planning something larger, consider who contributed to the accomplishment and who should have the opportunity to participate.

From the narrowest to the widest range, possible invitees are:

• The staff members directly involved in reaching the goal.
• All relevant staff. Include administrative, support, program, leadership, and other staff whose contributions made the work possible. Make arrangements so that essential duties do not prevent support staff or others from participating.

"All staff" may mean something different in a large organization. In a university, hospital, government agency, or other institution with hundreds or thousands of employees, recognition may appropriately focus on the department, unit, or cross-functional team connected to the achievement. Within that group, however, inclusiveness should still apply.

• Volunteers. Volunteers may have played a central role in reaching the goal and should be recognized when their contributions helped make the achievement possible.
• Participants or people using services. Participants may have contributed knowledge, leadership, feedback, advocacy, or other essential work toward the goal. Where appropriate, include them as partners in the accomplishment rather than only as recipients of the organization's work.
• Board members. Involving board members can help them understand and recognize accomplishments, strengthen connections with staff and community partners, and support their role as advocates for the organization.
• Members, if you're a membership organization, particularly when their participation or contributions helped make the accomplishment possible.
• Community partners, officials, and other contributors who played meaningful roles in the accomplishment.

Public recognition

For a public ceremony or celebration, you might include many of the people above along with other community members and partners connected to the accomplishment.

• Relevant public officials. Consider inviting officials whose responsibilities connect to the issue, including those who may not have previously been involved in the effort. Recognition events can create opportunities to share information, strengthen communication, and build constructive relationships where appropriate.
• Community leaders and partners, depending on the event. For example, a clinic opening might appropriately include health professionals, community health workers, neighborhood organizations, public health officials, faith and spiritual community leaders, local businesses, advocates, and people who helped plan or support the clinic.
• Other community members who contributed to the effort.
• The general public, when an open celebration is appropriate and resources allow.
• The media. Consider informing or inviting media when public coverage would help community members understand the accomplishment, recognize contributors, or learn about the issue.

How you involve the media depends on the size, purpose, and significance of the event. For a smaller internal event, you might share a photograph and a press release afterward, with appropriate permission from anyone pictured or quoted. For a larger public event, you may choose to invite local television, radio, print, community, or digital media. Participants and community members directly involved in the accomplishment may also be appropriate spokespeople when they want to take part. Media participation should support accurate public understanding rather than overshadow the people and communities whose work made the achievement possible.

When is the best time to recognize goal attainment?

In general, recognize goal attainment reasonably close to the achievement itself. If the achievement is a specific event that can be anticipated - such as an anniversary or the opening of a new facility - the event itself may serve as the recognition. If the achievement cannot be predicted exactly - such as receiving a grant, completing a major evaluation, reaching a fundraising goal, or documenting an important outcome - recognize it soon enough that the accomplishment still feels connected to the work that produced it.

If too much time passes, the connection between the achievement and the recognition may weaken. The people who contributed may no longer feel as connected to the work, and the accomplishment may be less meaningful or timely to community members and partners.

How do you recognize goal attainment?

Once you know what you're recognizing, whom you want to include, and roughly when the recognition will take place, decide what form it should take. Begin by clarifying what you want the recognition to accomplish.

Decide on your purpose in recognizing the attainment of this goal

There are several possible purposes:

• Purposes related to the internal life of the organization, such as:
  • Acknowledging the work and contributions of staff, volunteers, participants, or partners
  • Strengthening people's sense of connection, participation, and shared investment in the organization and its work
  • Marking an important point in the organization's development
  • Strengthening relationships and organizational cohesion
  • Simply taking time to celebrate
• Purposes related to the community and people outside the organization, such as:
  • Public communication and increasing awareness of the organization and its work
  • Recognizing the organization's work and the contributions of community partners
  • Thanking community members for their participation, knowledge, support, and resources
  • Strengthening relationships with community partners, leaders, and decision-makers
  • Demonstrating accountability and building organizational credibility
• Some combination of the above

Decide whether you want public or private recognition - or both

• Private recognition. If the primary purpose is internal or if the people involved would prefer a smaller gathering, a private recognition may be most appropriate. Consider what will feel meaningful and comfortable to the people being recognized rather than assuming that everyone wants public attention.
• Public recognition. A public ceremony or event may be appropriate when you want to inform the community, recognize community contributions, demonstrate progress and accountability, or invite broader participation in the work.
• Both. A public event combined with a separate smaller recognition can meet both community-facing and internal purposes.

Decide what kind of commemoration you have the resources for

If you're planning more than a simple announcement, consider the resources available. These may include money, donated supplies, staff and volunteer time, accessible space, transportation, interpretation, technology, entertainment, food, equipment, and planning capacity. Match the scale of the event to your resources so that the celebration does not place an unreasonable burden on staff, volunteers, or the organization's budget.

Decide on the tone you want to set

Once you've clarified your purpose, audience, and available resources, decide what kind of recognition fits the occasion. It could be as modest as an announcement or appreciation gathering or as large as a public community celebration.

An event can be formal or informal, reflective or festive, educational or recreational, or some combination of these. Consider accessibility, cultural relevance, transportation, caregiving responsibilities, sensory needs, dietary needs, cost, and the preferences of the people involved.

• Food and drink. Sharing food can help create a welcoming atmosphere, but it should not be assumed that every celebration needs food or that the same menu will work for everyone. Consider allergies, dietary restrictions, religious and cultural practices, accessibility, and whether food costs could create barriers to participation.
  • If food is part of the event, decide how it fits with the purpose and schedule. For example, you may want recognition or important announcements to occur before or during the meal so that the event remains centered on the accomplishment rather than only on the refreshments.

For a large public meal or picnic, estimate attendance carefully and plan enough food while minimizing waste. Registration or free tickets may help with planning, but avoid creating unnecessary barriers to participation. Consider options for people who cannot afford any requested contribution.

If alcohol is being considered, think carefully about the purpose of the event, the ages of participants, transportation and safety, organizational policies, and the inclusion of people who do not drink or who are in recovery from alcohol use disorder. Many community organizations may decide that alcohol-free events are the safest and most inclusive option. Whatever decision is made, provide appealing nonalcoholic beverages and avoid making alcohol central to participation.

• Activities. If the event is primarily a celebration, activities might include music, games, storytelling, art, dancing, or other options that people can choose to participate in. Recognition of staff, volunteers, participants, or community partners who contributed to the accomplishment may also be an important part of the event.

Recognition might include a public thank-you, an award, a gift, a short tribute, or another form of appreciation. Ask people how they prefer to be recognized whenever possible. Humor can be part of a celebration, but avoid forms of recognition that could embarrass, stereotype, or single someone out in a way they do not welcome.

• Organizational stories, photographs, scrapbooks, videos, news clippings, and other records can help document the organization's shared history and recognize the people and communities who contributed to it.
• If the event is meant to provide information to the community, activities might include presentations or reflections from participants, community members, staff, organizational leaders, public officials, or others who played significant roles. People and communities directly affected by the issue should have opportunities to speak for themselves when they want to participate.
• Films, videos, performances, exhibits, ceremonies, walks, art, or other symbolic activities can also help communicate the meaning of an accomplishment. When drawing on cultural traditions or symbols, involve people from the relevant community and use those traditions respectfully rather than relying on stereotypes or using cultural practices merely as decoration.

Decide on a specific way to recognize goal attainment

What will your recognition actually consist of? There are many possibilities, and the right choice will depend on the accomplishment, the people involved, the organization's resources, and the preferences of those being recognized.

A party or meal for staff, volunteers, participants, partners, and/or others connected to the organization.

It could be as small as a gathering of the people directly involved in reaching the goal or as large as a community picnic or celebration. Possible formats include:

• A themed gathering connected to the accomplishment or to an interest shared by participants
• A dinner and dance, with a live band or DJ
• A sit-down meal, held at a restaurant, catered, or prepared with appropriate support
• An informal buffet or potluck, with attention to dietary and accessibility needs
• A picnic or cookout

Other types of internal recognition. Depending on the importance of the goal and available resources, you may choose a smaller or different type of recognition.

Possibilities include:

• A gathering during or outside regular work hours, with snacks, dessert, or other refreshments, while avoiding pressure on people who cannot participate outside their normal schedule
• An internal recognition event specifically acknowledging people who contributed to reaching the goal
• An optional outing, such as a hike, museum visit, recreation activity, or another experience with accessible alternatives
• Compensatory time off or another appropriate form of recognition for people who worked substantial additional hours, consistent with organizational policy and employment requirements

An occasion designed to share information and increase community awareness. Public recognition can help community members learn about the accomplishment, the issue, the people involved, and what work remains.

• News release. A news release can provide clear information about the accomplishment, explain its significance, recognize contributors, and direct people to additional information. Photographs, quotes, or personal stories should be used with appropriate permission.
• News conference. A press conference may be appropriate for a significant public accomplishment. Participants, community members, staff, or partners who played important roles may speak when they want to participate, alongside organizational leaders or officials.

Maintaining constructive relationships with reporters, editors, community media, and other communication outlets can make it easier to share accurate information when an important goal is reached. Rather than trying to control exactly what journalists say, prepare clear information, identify knowledgeable spokespeople, and be ready to answer questions honestly about accomplishments, limitations, and what remains to be done.

• Reception. A reception can be invitation-only or open to the public. It may include refreshments, speakers, entertainment, exhibits, or other elements that recognize the accomplishment and create opportunities for community members and organizational partners to connect.
• Public ceremony. The opening of a new facility, launch of a new program, completion of a major community project, or another milestone may appropriately be recognized with a ceremony. Make sure the people and communities whose work made the accomplishment possible are represented rather than allowing the event to focus only on organizational leaders or public officials.
• Rally. If the goal involved broad community participation or advocacy, a rally may provide an opportunity to celebrate, thank supporters, communicate what was achieved, and renew energy and commitment for future work.

A public celebration

A public celebration can take many forms: a community gathering, picnic, block party, performance, festival, open house, or an activity closely connected to the goal itself. Plan the event with the interests, needs, accessibility, and cultural context of the community in mind.

• You can provide food by purchasing it, arranging catering, or seeking donations.

A community-based organization may develop relationships with local businesses willing to contribute food, space, supplies, or other resources to community celebrations. Be transparent about what is being requested, avoid pressuring businesses to contribute, and acknowledge donations in ways agreed upon with the donor.

Sustainable partnerships depend on respect and reciprocity rather than repeated requests for donations. Thank businesses and other contributors appropriately, and consider how the relationship can benefit the broader community as well as the organization.

• You can provide food at low or no cost to participants, depending on available resources
• You can organize a community potluck while making participation voluntary and providing alternatives for people who cannot bring food
• You can invite local food vendors or community organizations to participate, following appropriate food-safety and event requirements
• For an outdoor event, participants can bring their own picnic while the organization provides activities, seating, entertainment, or other shared resources
• You can hire professional performers
• You can invite professional performers to donate or discount their services when they are interested and able to do so
• You can invite local community performers, artists, youth groups, or other people who want to share their skills
• You can present entertainment related to the occasion, such as a performance, storytelling activity, or creative reflection on the accomplishment
• You can create opportunities for people to participate in games, sports, music, dancing, arts, crafts, or other activities, with options for different ages, abilities, and comfort levels
• You can provide age-appropriate activities, games, art supplies, or family-friendly spaces for children and caregivers

Other public celebrations might connect directly to the goal. Protection of a natural area could be recognized with an accessible community nature walk, educational program, or birding activity. Restoration of a historic building might be celebrated with tours or exhibits. A clinic opening might include health information, demonstrations, or voluntary screenings when appropriate.

Make sure that your celebration achieves its goal

The content and structure of the recognition are limited mainly by your purpose, resources, creativity, and the needs and preferences of the people involved. What's most important is that the recognition accomplishes what you intended.

In general, desired outcomes may include:

• People within and around the organization feel that their contributions were recognized and that the accomplishment reflects shared work.
• Community members have a clearer understanding of the organization, its work, and what was accomplished.
• The community understands that reaching one goal is an important milestone but does not necessarily mean the work is complete.
• People inside and outside the organization have opportunities to remain involved in or support the next stage of the work.

If the recognition produces some or all of these outcomes, strengthens relationships, and appropriately honors the people involved, then it has served its purpose.

In Summary

When an organization or initiative reaches a meaningful goal or milestone, taking time to recognize that accomplishment can benefit both the organization and the broader community. Recognition can increase public understanding, demonstrate accountability, strengthen relationships, and acknowledge the people whose work made the accomplishment possible. Within the organization, it can support morale, connection, reflection, and renewed commitment.

At a minimum, include or recognize the people who contributed directly to reaching the goal. Depending on the purpose, you may also involve other staff and volunteers, participants, community partners, board members, public officials, people and communities affected by the issue, and the broader public. Whenever possible, recognize accomplishments while they are still timely and meaningful.

Recognition may take many forms, from a simple announcement or private thank-you to a community celebration, reception, ceremony, media event, or gathering connected to the achievement itself. Choose an approach that fits your purpose, resources, community, and the preferences of the people being recognized.

Ultimately, effective recognition should acknowledge contributions, strengthen relationships, help people understand what has been accomplished, and connect the achievement to the work that still lies ahead.