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Volunteer Center of Burlington County The Volunteer Center of Burlington County is determined to be a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. It is affiliated with RSVP Burlington County, DOVIA (Directors of Volunteers in Associations) of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, NJ Governor's Office of Volunteerism, Points of Light Foundation-Hands On Network, Volunteer Center National Network and 1-800-Volunteer.org |
RESOURCES FOR VOLUNTEER MANAGERSThis page is for unpaid and paid managers of volunteer groups and organizations. The information being posted covers a variety of topics concerning the management of volunteers.
To foster creativity rather than conformity To guide rather than goad To clarify rather than confuse To support rather than supplant To respect rather than captivate To motivate rather than capitvate To listen rather than discourage To encourage rather than discourage To link rather than divide To innovate rather than imitate To free rather than limit To make independent rather than dependent Volunteers of America
The Boomers Fact SheetDemographics• Approximately 77 million babies were born during the years 1946-1964. • In 2006, the oldest boomers will turn 60 and, on average, can expect to live to 83, with many being active well beyond. Socio-Economics• Gender roles are blurred among boomers — more women work and can be expected to remain in the workforce for longer. • Almost half of boomers regularly use the Internet. • Boomers are significantly more racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations. • Boomers have more formal education than their parents do. One in three boomers has at least an undergraduate degree and almost 60 percent have at least some college. • Boomers are sophisticated consumers who expect an abundance of options. They have an acute sense of their own needs and preferences. Service• The percentage of people who volunteer peaks in mid-life. • Individuals who volunteer during their early years of retirement do so with greater frequency than mid-life volunteers. • Close to one-third of boomers say they expect to volunteer after retirement. • Time constraints is the most cited reason given by boomers for not volunteering Retirement• For a variety of social and economic reasons, boomers expect to continue working longer and to move gradually towards complete retirement, with many remaining in the workforce in some fashion. • Boomers are less likely to volunteer out of a sense of duty or obligation. • Efficient use of their volunteer time is extremely important to boomers. • Most boomers intend to remain in their communities when they retire. • Boomers view retirement as a way to recapture control over their lives — and may not respond to volunteer positions that they view as having too many constraints or commitments. Recruitment Tips• Boomers may be highly resistant to a group that includes the previous generation. They may be highly resistant to words like “senior,” “older adult,” “golden years,” “mature adult,” etc. Be creative — anecdotal evidence shows that “experienced” may appeal to this demographic. “Experienced” avoids negative connotations associated with aging and highlights the fact that you value their experiences and skills. • Be highly aware of the images used in materials targeted to
boomers. According to the Boomer Project national survey, boomers see
themselves as being at least 12 years younger than their chronological
age. Images of individuals they perceive as “elderly” may
be unappealing to boomers — they want to see people who reflect • Consider using words other than “volunteer” which is often associated with negative images of PTA lunches or menial tasks unappealing to boomers. The Montgomery County Volunteer Center came up with the name “Pro-Bono Consultants” after several volunteers pointed out that they felt as if they were continuing their professional work — but in an unpaid capacity. • According to the Harvard study, Reinventing Aging, boomers are less likely to volunteer out of a response to civic duty or obligation. For goal-oriented boomers, a message that shows how they can make a difference in their community is more effective. • Boomers may need to have a sense of “what’s in it for me?” Recent studies have shown the health benefits of volunteering, as well as the social benefits that may be important as boomers leave the workplace. • Bear in mind that boomers may never fully “retire” — they
express a strong interest in continuing in part-time work or self-employment.
Even a boomer who works a few hours a year may not consider themselves “retired” — tailor
your messages, as well as your opportunities, accordingly. Experience Corps (www.ExperienceCorps.org). You may also be interested in the Boomer Project, a market research company focused on boomers and marketing. In addition to their publications, they offer a free newsletter with tips and trends (www.BoomerProject.com). Boomer Rules1. Never, ever, call me: A golden-ager, a senior citizen, a retiree or, God forbid, “elderly!” I am still me; I just have more free time now 2. Challenge me with something interesting to do 3. Give me meaningful work 4. Give me work with a beginning and an end 5. Suggest assignments that span two weeks or three months. If it is interesting and if I like it, I will stay on for more. If it is not, I will be gone before you know it, anyway. 6. Don’t give me a plaque or a 100-hour pin when I am done. Make it fun — make it meaningful. “Where am Igoing to put a plaque or when would I wear a pin?” Adapted from the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan’s session: PAVING THE WAY VOLUNTEER CENTERS AND BABY BOOMER VOLUNTEERING | 23 Additional Links
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