1. Who’s Volunteering Today?
The Generations……. 1

2. Engaging Four Generations of Volunteers
Traditionalists
1925 – 1945
Baby Boomers
1946 – 1962
Generation X
1963 – 1979
Generation Y 2

3. Traditionalists

4. Traditionalists: Who are They?
Cultural Factors
Lived through Great Depression
Hold strong family values
Appreciate the role of the government
Respect hierarchy / authority
Demographics
52 million people
5 - 7 % of the work force
Own two-thirds of the nation’s financial assets

5. Engaging Traditionalists (1925 -1945) Approximate Age Range: 64 - 84
Focus on the work itself and offer learning experiences.
Set clear expectations and ambitious goals.
Focus on a flexible work environment and customization of products and services.
Encourage volunteers to make decisions using their judgment and expertise.
Use volunteers to transfer knowledge, history and expertise to younger employees.

6. Baby Boomers
You can make this section interactive. Ask the students to give you characteristics of each generation before you show the slides. Have the students representing each generation agree or disagree with the generalized statements.

7. Baby Boomers: Who are They?
Cultural Factors
Self awareness
Trendsetters
Post-war posterity era
Indulgence & expectations
Dawn of television & computers & networking
Activism – changed the world in the 60’s will change the world again in their 60’s
Demographics
75 million people
% of the work force
There is a new 50 year old every 7 seconds!
Healthy & Active
Most educated generation to date

8. (1946 -1962) Approximate Age Range: 47 - 63
Engaging Baby Boomers
( ) Approximate Age Range:
Honor historical memory (why things won’t work)
Recognize opinions, skills, knowledge, potential and contribution
Give volunteers the authority to try new ideas.
Help bridge the team-individual divide.
Coach and facilitate goals and challenges, don’t focus on how.

9. Generation X 9

10. Generation X: Who are They?
Demographics
46 Million People
% of the work force
Known as the “slacker” generation (by people who don’t have the slightest idea what that means).
Cultural Factors
Economic Recession
Rise of the computer
Working moms and latch-key kids
Divorce
Unsettled political climate

11. (1963 - 1979) Approximate Age Range: 30 - 46
Engaging Generation X
( ) Approximate Age Range:
Opportunity to amass marketable skills and experience.
Career development opportunities.
Flexible work arrangements.
Access to coaching style managers and wise mentors.
Access to decision makers.
Increasing spheres of responsibility.
Compensation commensurate with contribution.
Recognition is inclusive of family, friends and leisure.

12. Generation Y

13. Generation Y: Who are They?
Demographics
70 Million People
Fastest growing segment of the work force
More diverse than older generations
Cultural Factors
Information age
911 and War on terror
Globalization
Recession
Helicopter parents
Over programmed

14. (1980 - 2000) Approximate Age Range: 9 - 29
Engaging Generation Y
( ) Approximate Age Range:
Openness to giving and receiving (positive) feedback.
Respect for the opinions of other Y’ers.
Likes to have colleagues rather than bosses.
Pragmatic “let’s fix it” attitude.
Ability to recognize an individuals’ ability and contribution as well as a team contribution.

15. Engaging Youth Volunteers