MB#79: 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙂𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙁𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠.

[MemoirBlogthon #79] I developed the art of giving personalized Certificates of Appreciation to volunteers in my professional and community service projects—a systematic process involving orientation, customized printouts, and public distribution. This entire philosophy was nurtured by my father, who taught me the enduring value of immediate, personalized recognition: it builds long-term relationships and transforms a simple gesture into a job interview asset. His wisdom inspired my Amazon best-selling book, "CAREER BOOST: 9 Certification Advantages." This blog post details that successful system, explores the continuous learning fueled by certifications from "Leadership Skills to Generative AI," and affirms my father's quote: "Certifications aren't just about personal advancement; they are tools for uplifting others."

The Art of Reciprocity: My Volunteer Recognition System

In every professional project, whether in the employment sector, NGOs, or non-profits, success hinges on the untiring efforts of team participants, co-employees, and external volunteers. I realized early in my career that it's crucial to reward and recognize these services beyond a simple "thank you." I made a passion of developing the art of giving personalized Certificates of Appreciation to all those who dedicated their time and energy to my initiatives.

These initiatives were numerous and spanned decades:

• These initiatives included a variety of programs, such as Oral Coaching Classes and Training Sessions. Sessions: I am currently serving as one of the top-rated faculty members for the ICSI Hyderabad Chapter, where I am teaching students pursuing Company Secretaryship.

• Best Chapter Leadership: Chairing the ICSI Hyderabad Chapter in 1996, leading over 200 career events and 100 member programs that earned the Best Chapter award in the country.

• Community Service: Moderating career awareness sessions for Rotary International and conducting training on communication skills and personal improvement.

To manage the help I received, I developed a systematic approach to volunteer recognition:

1. Elicit Interest: Taking an application to formalize their expression of interest.

2. Role Orientation: Briefing them on their specific role, both online and offline.

3. Personalized Certificates: Preparing and printing personalized Certificates of Appreciation well in advance.

4. Public Distribution: Distributing the certificates in the presence of an employer, director, or CEO.

5. Added Perks: Providing additional recognition, such as a sweet packet, a five-star lunch, or a memento.

My Father's Wisdom: The Lasting Value of a Certificate

When I shared this systematic approach with my father, he didn't just approve; he enthusiastically vetted my draft certificates and provided profound insights into the true value of the gesture:

# Immediate Recognition to the Volunteer.

# The personalized certificate could be useful for a job interview or display in their houses.

# Long-Term Relationship: It establishes an enduring bond, as a certificate signed by me carried value beyond the immediate volunteer help.

# Professional Interest: It becomes a topic of interest within professional fraternities and family circles.

I have reaped, and continue to reap, all these benefits just as my father predicted.

The Book: CAREER BOOST and the Legacy of Empowerment 🚀 My belief in the power of certifications was so strong that it directly led to me writing the book "CAREER BOOST: 9 Certification Advantages—Stand Out and Excel in Any Career." Any career can benefit from having certifications. This book earned the bestseller status on Amazon worldwide and continues to trend in popularity—a success I attribute directly to my father's philosophical support.

Read more about this in my blog: https://www.suryanarayana.com/blogs-post/my-book-a-bestseller-100-reviews

My father encapsulated this wisdom beautifully in a quote he shared with me:

"The Ripple of Transformation: A Legacy of Empowerment. Certifications aren't just about personal advancement; they are tools for uplifting others. Through your generosity, expertise, and shared knowledge, you sow the seeds of change, cultivating a legacy that extends beyond your own journey. As you tread the path of volunteering your certifications, you become a beacon of inspiration, guiding others toward a future of limitless potential."

This philosophy goes beyond mere accreditation; it transforms certifications into keys for unlocking positive change in the lives of others.

MB#79: Quiz

MB79: Question A personalized certificate signed by the author would primarily be useful for the volunteer to produce during which specific occasion?

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• A. An annual family event would be a suitable occasion.
• B. A job interview.
• C. Membership renewal fees.
• D. Academic thesis defense.

MB#79: Quote

"Certifications are the keys that unlock doors of opportunity and the fuel that propels you toward a future of limitless potential." – Author Suryanarayana SV