Connecting with Baby Boomers as Volunteers

Baby Boomers bring the advantages of experience and education, and are motivated to make a difference. There is tremendous potential to provide solutions to some of our most intractable social needs, including the expanding need for independent living support. ... In addition to helping solve community needs, service offers important benefits for Boomer volunteers. Older Americans who receive or deliver service are more connected with the community, remain more active, and have a more optimistic outlook.

Utilize Different Levels of Commitment and Expertise

Ø      Support more informal, unstructured and extended family-focused volunteering

Ø      Explore job sharing and team volunteering

Ø      Engage volunteers in designing the strategy for project implementation

Ø      Be as specific as possible when stating  organization’s volunteer needs

Ø      Be flexible in the management and design of volunteer opportunities consider times after hours, on weekends or during the work day

Ø      Design and frame your volunteer projects as if you were engaging consultants or project managers

Design Unique Work Experiences

Ø      Target a specific subset you think will be most interested and qualified to volunteer for your organization

Ø      Provide opportunities where boomers can directly effect local conditions

Ø      Create a menu of short and longer term opportunities

Ø      Discuss volunteering as a way to meet career goals

Ø      Don’t seek volunteers; seek activist willing to propel a movement

Ø      Pitch volunteering as a leisure substitution not an obligation

• a way to pursue unexplored passions, personal growth, and search for meaning

Use Incentives

Ø      Offer a range of incentives that will appeal to different boomer segments

Ø      Consider  paid and non-paid volunteering

§         Prescription drug/ medical discount                                    

§         Transportation waiver                                                      

§         Free or discounted tuition, educational awards (lifelong learning institutes)

§         Ask placement agencies if they have anything they are willing to offer: free/discounted yoga classes, gym memberships, after school care or camps for children or grandchildren etc. 

Advertising

Ø      Remember the quintessential boomer advertisement is short, snappy, and alluring

Ø      Keep in mind Boomers are not attracted to labels that evoke chronological age

Acknowledge Contributions

Ø      Offer opportunities to achieve the level of professionalism and respect that the volunteers had, or aspired to have, during their careers

Ø      Establish a volunteer track for people looking for continued and increased involvement

Baby Boomers interested in volunteering call 272-2087 to get involved.