1. INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION
That makes camp stronger

2. Struggling as a society
How we interact with one another, what each generation feels is
Appropriate, respectful, responsible for communication

3. Silent or Radio or Traditional Generation
73 and older
Raised by parents that just survived the Great Depression
Core values:
Adhere to rules
Dedication/Sacrifice
Delayed Reward
Discipline
Don’t question authority
Duty before pleasure
“Giving Back” is important
Hard Work
Trust in Government
Silent or Radio or Traditional Generation

4. Baby Boomers Anti war/Anti government Ages 53-72
Post War Babies who grew up to be radicals of the 70’s and yuppies of the 80’s.
Core values:
Anti war/Anti government
Anything is possible
Equal rights/Equal opportunities
Personal Gratification/Personal Growth
Question everything…Trust no one over 30
Baby Boomers

5. Generation X Ages 38-52 Perceptions are shaped by Core values
growing up having to take care of themselves
watching their politicians lie
parents getting laid off.
Core values
Work-life Balance
Fun
Highly Educated/High job expectations,
Lack of organizational loyalty
Self-reliance/independence

6. Millennials Ages: 21(maybe 24) - 37 Influences: Core values
Achievement
Avid consumers
Diversity/Highly tolerant
Like personal attention
Members of global community
Most educated generation
Influences:
Digital Media
child focused world
9/11 terrorist attacks
Increase in children of divorce
Economic expansion as they grew up
First generation of children with schedules.
Ages: 21(maybe 24) - 37
Millennials

7. GenZ (or 24, depending) Up to age 21
Never lived a day without the internet/Digital natives
“Always on”
Co-creating culture with the influencers
Drone parenting
Receding economy, huge educational costs
Influences
Change the world
Anyone can be “famous” - recognition
Empathetic self-starters
Uniqueness/authenticity/creativity and shareability
Suspect dishonesty
Ideas, not age or seniority, should rule
Core values

8. FAMILY across the generations
Silent: Nuclear, traditional
Boomers: Mom stayed home As children were seen as “special”
Generation X: Latch-key kids Women widely expected to work outside the home The first “day care” generation Dual Income families
Millennials: Merged families, “coddled” kids
GenZ: Framily, ever-expanding definition
FAMILY across the generations

9. Media Communication No phone Rotary phone Touch tone phone
Cordless phone
Pagers
Cell phones
Internet
Social media

10. Silent Generation Communication
Discrete
Story-based
Formal, logical
Show respect for their age/experience
Use titles
Good grammar
Manners (no profanity)
Hand-written notes better than

11. Boomer Communication Diplomatic In person Speak open – direct style
Present Options (flexibility)
Answer questions thoroughly and expect to be pressed for details
Avoid Manipulative/controlling language
Get consensus-include them or they may get offended
OK to use first names
Boomer Communication

12. Generation X Communication
Blunt, direct, immediate
Present facts
Use as #1
Informal communication style
Talk in short sound bytes
Don’t mico-manage
Tie your message to “results”
Generation X Communication

13. Millennials Communication
Use positive, respectful, motivational words
Electronic communication usually preferred
In person for important messaging
Use and voice mail as #1 tools
Don’t talk down-they will resent it
Show you are human
Be careful with words and tone
Prefer to learn in teams, multi-media, entertaining and exciting
Millennials Communication

14. GenZ Communication In person communication with managers!
Value integrity and honesty.
Weak communicators in written form
Want communication as equals
Want high expectations
Autonomy
Frequent feedback
GenZ Communication

15. Work Environment Boomers Names and connection before content
Tech, at work
Gen X
Tech at work or at home but want work/life boundaries
Functional, flexible, fast-paced, informal
Access to leadership and information
Work with you, not for you
Millennials
Tech all the time, including non-work communication
Collaborative, creative, fun, intrepreneurial
Diverse
Want continuous feedback, clear goals and expectations
Supervision & Structure
Recognition for and from their heroes
Gen Z
Tech if it’s not value-driving communication
Entrepreneur, sustainable, aligned with values
Maker culture, initiative
Global mindset, looking for ways to help the world
Work Environment

16. Silent
Conservative, planned giving and financial management tools
One-on-one meetings, ask their advice.
No fundraising, The more personal the better.
Boomers
Put them out front and in the spotlight
Get them involved, allow them to find self-fulfillment
Aggressive planned giving, appeal to their idealism
Could your agency be where they spend their “third age?”
Generation X
Humor in appeals
Volunteer independently for your agency, avoid committees
Social entrepreneurs-“micro-loans”
Creative use of new technologies
Primary focus is their family.
Millennials
Focus groups, ask their opinions
Put them in charge, let them plan, utilize their networks
Technologies for appeals, short, act fast on their interest
Link your cause to sustainability.
Fundraising

17. Communication Obstacles
Misusing
technology 1
Assumptions
of any kind
(gender, experience, humor, language) 2
Work ethic expression
“Why” as disrespect? Or engagement?? 3

18. Communication Opportunities
More exposure to different generations strengthens everyone!
Life experiences and perspective
Practice for talking to folks of different generations (campers especially need this, but staff as well)
Break down biases

19. Best Communication Strategy
Question your assumptions – be curious!
Ask good questions
Preferred methods of communication
Preferred styles
To open dialogue, not fill out a form!
Get honest feedback and the chance to change
Best Communication Strategy

20. Leadership training is the time to be intentional about intergenerational obstacles and opportunities
Make your young staff better at communicating with campers,
better at “managing up”
More self-aware
Make sure you are too!
Staff Training

21. Dr. G has digital resources YOU need for your families!
Pick a time to talk to her about it! (click this!)