16 January 2007
by Elaine Glen

Native Planet is an entirely ‘virtual’ organisation, based on the work of its online volunteers. It can be challenging at times to recognise the volunteers' achievements in a ‘web-based’ work environment. However native planet came up with a number of ideas to celebrate International Volunteer Day for the first time.

1. Annual Volunteer Report: On the 5th of December Native Planet released the 2006 Annual Review. This report recognised the contribution of all volunteers in the various departments of Native Planet and the outcomes of the volunteer survey conducted in 2006. Importantly the report also announced the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award for Native Planet. 
2. Volunteer Forum: On the 5th of December Native Planet hosted a live Volunteer Forum on its website with senior management to answer any questions from volunteers. Approximately 10-12 volunteers participated in the forum. Questions included the development of the Native Planet website and projects for 2007. Although the timing of the forum did not suit all volunteers around the world, this was the best forum that has been held to date. Native Planet plans to hold future forums at alternative times. 
3. Recognition Certificates: In recognition of all the time and effort that Native Planet's volunteers have contributed this year each volunteer was awarded a certificate of appreciation on the 5th of December 2006. 
4. Personal e-card/email: All managers and team leaders from the organisation sent each volunteer under their supervision an e-card or email on the 5th of December 2006, as a personal way to thank and engage each volunteer. 
5. Other IVD events: Native Planet encouraged our volunteers to participate in locally organised events in their country by checking out this website.

Conclusions

International Volunteer Day was a great way for the organisation to celebrate and recognise the efforts of all its volunteers. The management is keen to celebrate this day every year. Finally one of the volunteers, Ayan Humbert-Droz, was one of the 10 winners of the United Nations Online Volunteer Award for 2006. So this award helped to cap off a very successful International Volunteer Day at Native Planet.