Endorsement Guide
This guide covers practical tips for running the Review & Endorse system effectively. Follow these recommendations to keep your members engaged, maintain fair and consistent recognition, and get the most value from the endorsement workflow.
Review Activities Promptly
Timely reviews keep the system running smoothly and keep members motivated.
- Check the Endorsement Home at least weekly -- A yellow badge on activity tiles means items are waiting for your review
- Members are more motivated when they receive quick feedback -- Prompt endorsements show members their efforts are valued
- Stale pending requests discourage future submissions -- If members feel their activities sit unreviewed for weeks, they stop submitting
Set a recurring reminder to check the Endorsement Home every Monday. Staying on top of pending reviews takes just a few minutes and makes a big difference in member engagement.
Be Consistent with Points
Establish a points framework for your organization so members know what to expect and the system feels fair.
Suggested Points Framework
| Activity | Suggested Points | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Regular practice session | 10 | Basic participation |
| Completed homework/assignment | 20 | More effort required |
| Club meeting attendance | 10 | Standard participation |
| Community volunteering | 10/hour (auto) | Time-based recognition |
| Competition participation | 30 | Significant effort |
| Award/honor received | 50 | Major achievement |
Tips for Consistency
- Communicate your framework to members so they understand how points are awarded
- Use the same point values for similar activities -- if two members submit comparable practice logs, they should receive the same points
- Document your framework and share it with other admins in your organization so everyone endorses consistently
You do not have to follow this exact table. Choose point values that make sense for your organization's activities and culture. The important thing is to be consistent once you decide.
Use Both Pathways
The Review & Endorse system gives you two pathways for awarding endorsements. Use both for complete coverage.
| Pathway | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Review & Endorse | Activities members track themselves | Members log their own practice hours, volunteering, assignments |
| Issue Credentials | Activities you track as an org | Bulk-issuing volunteering endorsements after an org-wide community service day |
Example workflow:
- Members log their own weekly practice hours throughout the month (Review & Endorse)
- After an org-wide community service day, you bulk-issue volunteering endorsements to all 30 attendees (Issue Credentials)
Using both pathways ensures nothing falls through the cracks -- members take ownership of their own tracking, and you handle org-level activities efficiently.
Write Meaningful Org Messages
When endorsing or rejecting an activity, take a moment to write a short message. It makes a real difference.
When Endorsing
A message like:
"Excellent work at the food bank! Your 3 hours made a real difference."
...motivates far more than silence. Members feel seen and appreciated.
When Rejecting
A message like:
"This appears to be a duplicate entry. Please resubmit with the correct date."
...helps the member understand what went wrong and how to fix it. Rejections without explanation feel arbitrary and discouraging.
Avoid rejecting activities without an explanation. A brief message prevents confusion and helps members resubmit correctly.
Leverage the Leaderboard
The leaderboard is more than a feature -- it is a motivational tool.
- Announce the top 3 at team meetings or in newsletters to give public recognition
- Identify your most engaged members -- top leaderboard performers are great candidates for leadership roles or special responsibilities
- Consider recognizing top performers with certificates, awards, or shout-outs
- The leaderboard updates naturally as new members earn points and climb the rankings -- there is no manual reset needed
Even a simple "Congratulations to our top 3 this month!" in a group chat or meeting can significantly boost participation.
Issue Certificates for Milestones
Certificates add tangible value to the points system and give members something concrete to show for their efforts.
Suggested Milestones for Certificates
| Milestone | Certificate Type |
|---|---|
| 100 volunteer hours | Volunteer Service Certificate |
| Completing a training program | Completion Certificate |
| Winning a competition | Achievement Certificate |
| End of season/semester | Participation Certificate |
| Top 3 on leaderboard (quarterly) | Excellence Certificate |
Certificates are especially meaningful for youth members, students, and volunteers who may include them in portfolios, applications, or resumes.
Use Bulk Operations for Efficiency
When you have many activities to process at once, bulk operations save significant time.
- After a large event -- Use bulk endorse to process all volunteering submissions at once
- After a team practice -- Use credential issuance to award points to all attendees in one step
- Monthly reporting -- Export volunteering reports for record-keeping and compliance
Build a habit of processing endorsements in batches rather than one at a time. It is faster and helps you maintain consistency.
For Schools and Youth Organizations
Schools and youth-focused organizations can get extra value from the endorsement system:
- Align point values with your grading or recognition framework -- if your school uses a merit system, map endorsement points to merit levels
- Use practice logs for sports teams to track training hours throughout the season
- Use assignments for homework and project tracking -- students submit, teachers endorse
- Issue certificates at end of semester or year for top performers on the leaderboard
- Parents appreciate the tangible recognition their children receive -- certificates and point summaries are great for parent-teacher meetings
For Non-Profits
Non-profit organizations benefit from the audit trail and reporting capabilities:
- Track all volunteer hours through the endorsement system for accurate records
- Export volunteering reports for grant applications, donor reports, and compliance requirements
- Issue certificates to recognize long-term volunteers -- retention improves when volunteers feel valued
- Use achievements to track milestones like 100 hours, 500 hours, or 1,000 hours of service
- The points audit trail provides documentation you may need for regulatory compliance
Quick Checklist
Use this checklist to stay on track with your endorsement workflow:
- Review pending activities at least weekly
- Establish a consistent points framework and share it with members
- Write org messages with endorsements and rejections
- Use bulk operations for large batches
- Issue certificates for significant milestones
- Share leaderboard standings to motivate members
- Export volunteering reports monthly for records
What's Next?
- Points & Leaderboard -- Understand how points and rankings work in detail
- Endorsement Home Overview -- Navigate the Endorsement Home screen
- Reviewing Activities -- Learn the step-by-step review workflow