Trends in Volunteerism… How Will They Affect Your Program? Rob Podlasek Minnesota Literacy Council

Agenda Welcome Types of Volunteerism How Can Your Program Ride the Wave of These Changes?

Introductions to People at Your Table

So… What is Changing?

What does a “traditional” volunteer, volunteer program or volunteer role look like?

General Volunteer Trends Slightly Fewer People Volunteering More Younger Adults are Volunteering Fewer Older Adults Volunteering Men are Volunteering More People want shorter-term volunteer assignments People want more control over their volunteer roles/tasks More diversity in what constitutes “Volunteering” Others?

Types of Volunteering Informal Volunteering Traditional Volunteering Episodic Volunteering Group Volunteering Virtual Volunteering Spontaneous Volunteering Family Volunteering Pathway Volunteering “Slacktivism” Crowdsourcing Micro-volunteering

At Your Tables, Share… What are you already doing or what could you be doing to match the needs of your program with the realities of current volunteer trends?

At Your Tables, Share… What are you already doing or what could you be doing to match the needs of your program with the realities of current volunteer trends?

Baby Boomers Want short-term volunteer opportunities Want choice Want to see impact Want to be treated as professionals

“What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?”