How to Build a Culture Committee That Strengthens Recognition and Engagement

At Recognize, we believe employee recognition should be part of everyday culture, not just an HR initiative. A great way to make that happen? A Culture Committee.

When organizations empower employees to champion engagement and recognition from within, culture becomes everyone’s responsibility. That is where Culture Committees come in, bridging leadership goals with employee energy to create workplaces that are connected, inclusive, and motivated.

💬 What Is a Culture Committee?

A Culture Committee is a cross-functional group of employees who champion recognition, connection, and engagement across the organization. Members represent different departments, roles, and perspectives, ensuring every voice has a seat at the table.

They collaborate to keep culture alive and visible through communication, celebration, and employee feedback. More than just a “party planning team,” Culture Committees help align recognition and engagement with company values, creating a sustainable, employee-driven culture.

💡 Why Culture Committees Matter

Culture Committees play a key role in sustaining recognition and engagement programs over time. They:

Promote peer-to-peer and manager recognition, keeping appreciation visible and consistent
Reinforce company values and ensure they are lived daily
Plan morale-boosting initiatives that connect teams, such as appreciation weeks, themed badges, or recognition events
Foster inclusion and cross-department collaboration
Improve communication and alignment between leadership and employees
Conduct employee feedback surveys and share results to inform culture and recognition initiatives

When employees take part in shaping culture, they become more invested in it, leading to stronger engagement, collaboration, and trust across the organization.

🧩 Culture Committee Structure

Purpose
The Culture Committee exists to strengthen and maintain a positive, inclusive, and recognition-driven workplace culture. The committee supports company values, promotes employee engagement, and champions recognition and appreciation across all teams.

Mission
To create meaningful programs, celebrations, and initiatives that foster belonging, recognition, communication, and alignment with company values.

Committee Composition

Total Members: 6–12 volunteer employees
Term: 6–12 months
Meetings: 1 per month (plus optional event support)
Encouraged Participation: Cross-functional (Ops, HR, Admin, Customer Teams, Frontline, etc.)

Leadership Roles (4 Total)

General Members (2–8 Total)

Role Purpose:
Serve as culture ambassadors and contributors, ensuring every team’s voice is heard and initiatives reflect the full organization.

Responsibilities:

Represent their department or location
Share feedback and employee insights
Support recognition and event initiatives
Model company values daily
Help with logistics, communication, or event setup
Encourage peers to participate in recognition programs
Assist in conducting and reviewing employee feedback surveys

Together, the Committee:

✅ Champions company values
✅ Promotes inclusion, belonging, and engagement
✅ Strengthens peer-to-peer appreciation
✅ Brings energy, visibility, and connection to company culture

🗓️ Example Meeting Agendas

Monthly Committee Meeting (45 minutes)

1. Welcome and Quick Wins (5 min)

Share recent recognition highlights or success stories

2. Status Updates on Ongoing Initiatives (10 min)

Recognition campaigns
Events
Culture projects

3. Feedback and Insights (10 min)

What are employees talking about?
Recurring themes or concerns
Review recent employee feedback survey responses
Suggestions to improve recognition and engagement

4. Plan Upcoming Activities (15 min)

Next recognition push
Upcoming event
End-of-year milestones
Roles and responsibilities

5. Wrap-Up (5 min)

Confirm tasks
Schedule next meeting

Quarterly Planning Meeting (60 minutes)

Review the quarter’s wins and metrics
Evaluate recognition program participation
Review employee engagement or survey themes
Identify one or two major initiatives for the next quarter
Assign roles and timeline
Plan communication strategy

🎖️ How Culture Committees Strengthen Recognition Programs

Culture Committees are natural allies to your recognition program. They help bridge program strategy with employee participation by:

Promoting recognition campaigns and featured badges
Sharing success stories that celebrate wins and inspire others
Identifying recognition gaps across teams or departments
Providing feedback and insights to HR and leadership
Encouraging adoption of recognition tools like the Recognize platform

When recognition becomes part of everyday conversation, it stops being an initiative and starts being a habit.

🚀 The Takeaway

Company Values capture the heart of what makes culture committees thrive. When employees embody these values within a Culture Committee, they bring recognition, inclusion, and innovation to life every day.

A Culture Committee does not replace leadership-led culture efforts; it amplifies them. It turns recognition into a shared movement, owned by everyone and felt across every team.

Start small: gather a few culture-minded employees, define your purpose, and meet regularly. Over time, their energy and ownership will ripple through your organization, building a culture people are proud to be part of.