From Boomers to Millennials: Generation

Specific Volunteer Recruitment, Retention,

and Recognition Strategies

Sarah Bradbury, MPAskbradbury@gmail.com

www.indymillennial.com

Volunteering in Indiana• 1.4 million volunteers • 28.4% of residents volunteer • 181.6 million hours of service • Nationally, episodic

volunteering has increased.• Volunteers are likely to be as

busy as non-volunteers

http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/IN

Who are these volunteers?

Why does their generation matter?

How can you recruit and manage them effectively?

Objectives

Volunteer Life Cycle

http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/assets/resources/FactSheetFinal.pdf

Teen Years

Early 20s

Mid-to Late 20s

Middle Age

Older adults

Boomers (1946-1964)Largest population in U.S. history- 1 in 4 Americans is a Boomer!

Raising one or more young children and/or providing primary financial support to one or more adult children.

Strong work ethic and loyalty to career- many plan to work past typical age of retirement

Goal oriented

Like to meet in person

Motivated by feeling valued, appreciated for their contributions

Not necessarily technology-averse

“I believe this generation is going to radically redo aging.”From Richard Croker’s The Boomer Century, 1946-2046: How America’s Most Influential Generation Changed Everything

Generation X (1965-1980)

“Once stereotyped as skeptical and disengaged, Generation X is showing signs of optimism that they can make a difference in their communities through service as they become more connected to local networks through their careers and their children.”http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/assets/resources/FactSheetFinal.pdf

Children of Boomers; Millennials are their children or younger siblings

Skepticism & caution

Connected to community (home ownership, steady employment, children)

Value independence and flexibility (shy away from long, traditional work hours of their Boomer parents)

Motivated by ability to “do it their way”

Millennials (1980-?)Children of Boomers or Gen Xers; sometimes have a Gen X sibling

Use of technology makes their generation distinct (info is a click away!)-on course to become the most educated generation in

American history -more diverse and accepting/tolerant

Enjoy multi-tasking

Motivated by the opportunity to meet others & work on a team

“…Boomers have given them the confidence to beoptimistic about their ability to make things happen,and Xers have given them just enough skepticism to becautious…If you want to remember just one key wordto describe Millennials, it’s realistic.”— Lynne C. Lancaster and David Stillman from“When Generations Collide.”

Volunteering & GenerationsBaby Boomers Generation X Millennial

% who volunteer 28.8% 29.2% 21.2%

Most popular cause

Religious institutions

Education & youth

Education & youth

Motivations

Self-development, use of professional skills, leadership

Workplace or connection (through child’s activities)

Meeting others, working together on a team

Recruitment

Boomers: skills based job descriptions, positions of leadership, visit religious institutions

Generation X: offer family or corporate opportunities, flexible scheduling, independent

opportunities

Millennials: offer team positions, online tools, especially social media

RecognitionBoomers: recognize their expertise,

leadership, hard work, or commitment

Generation X: recognize their creativity or independent contributions

Millennials: recognize their collaborative efforts, being a team player

Boomers: the more hours they volunteer, the more likely they are to come back. Re-imagine their roles!

Generation X: provide family volunteer opportunities; ask for their input on creativity/change processes

Millennials: regular communication, especially through the use of varied channels

Retention

General TipsRecognize generational

characteristics, but avoid stereotypes.

Offer well-written, skills based job descriptions. Place volunteers on

knowledge, skills, and abilities

Be flexible in management styles and communication channels

Resourceshttp://pewresearch.org/millennials/

http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/

http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/07_0307_boomer_report_summary.pdf

http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm

http://www.volunteerhub.com/blog/recruiting-boomers-gen-xers-and-millennials

http://www.aarp.org/giving-back/volunteering/info-01-2010/connecting_giving.html