Lehn: Engaged Volunteers
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Transcript of Lehn: Engaged Volunteers
Statewide Volunteerism Initiativewww.library.ca.gov/lds/getinvolved.html
Promoting civic engagement through California Public Libraries
Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century
• Americans who are active in the community and vote regularly are more likely to have a library card and favor taxes to support libraries.
• These are also the people that local politicians are most likely to listen to.
• However, these highly engaged citizens are generally unaware of funding issues that threaten library services.
Source: A Report by Public Agenda supported by Americans for Libraries Council and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 2006
Why Baby Boomers and Volunteerism?
• Most educated and financially secure generation in history
• Volunteer at higher rates than past generations did at the same age
• Have been in workforce -- professional skills they want to share
• Want to make and see impact of their work
Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering
VolunteerMatch User Research Study
Presented by:
VolunteerMatchWhere volunteering begins.
How Are Boomer Volunteers Different from Senior Volunteers?
• More physical ability than previous generations; 4 of 5 expect to work past 65 -- 50 is the new 30!!
• View retirement very differently -- see second half of life as a source of social and individual renewal, not as a time to just rest and relax
• Think some of their most important contributions lie ahead (“patron saint“ is Jimmy Carter)
• Not simply extending the years of working and volunteering -- looking to add deeper meaning
• Different perception of aging -- don’t call us “Seniors,” “Retirees,” “Elderly” or “Older Adults!”
They Want to Get Involved
Nearly two-thirds of older, non-volunteering boomers are interested in getting involved, yet many aren’t sure where to find the right opportunity.
Source: Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering, 2007 www.volunteermatch.org/greatexpectations
Transforming Life After 50Library Assessments
“Many boomers are interested in putting their advanced and varied skills to use as community volunteers. However there seems to be a disconnect between their intent to volunteer and their actual participation because they do not find the opportunities they want.”
Attracting Baby Boomersas Volunteers
• Offer flexibility and a wide variety of options.
• Engage their skills and expertise
• Show them impact on mission -- how will their work make a difference?
• Provide clear expectations of time, tasks and training.
• Beyond volunteer management -- engagement in meaningful ways.
What Keeps Boomers
Volunteering?• Retention rate is higher for those
performing professional or management volunteer activities
• Boomer volunteers who do general labor and supply transportation have lower retention rates.
• Corporation for National and Community Service, 2007: “Keeping Baby Boomers Volunteering: A Research Brief on Volunteer Retention and Turnover”
1,200 Unique “Hub” Visitors and over 10,000 page views in July 2010
http://californialibraries.volunteermatch.org
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