"Skip a Generation"
Submitted on 29Aug02 by Susan J. Ellis, President, Energize,Inc.
A common problem of long-time volunteer associations, particularly
auxiliaries, friends groups, and other membership-type support organizations,
is that members have "aged in place." Though they may have
started their volunteer careers in middle age, after long service
members are now well into their senior years. Once a group has become
primarily older (or, for that matter, focused on any one age group
rather than spanning many ages), it is very difficult to simply recruit
younger members
naturally. This is because over time the organization has adapted
to the needs and interests of the majority of its members. Everything
from the time and place of meetings, the projects and activities selected,
even the way meetings are run, please the bulk of the members but
may not attract anyone different.
If there is a sincere desire to diversify the membership, something
dramatic must counteract the inertia of "we're used to doing
things this way." One idea is to develop a project that consciously
skips a generation. Rather than trying to recruit 40-somethings into
a group of people over 65, try for 20-somethings. Consciously reach
out to those whose attitude about seniors is not fraught with hang-ups
over fear of aging, parental relationships, or other obstacles. If
members have grandchildren close by, what a wonderful way to help
them learn more about
each other. For members without grandchildren or geographically distant
from relatives, encourage recruiting any young adults they know (neighbors,
congregation members, grandchildren of close friends). Or, find a
college sorority/fraternity, corporation with a large number of young
employees, or other group interested in a collaboration.
Do not make the young adults "join" your group - at least
not right
away! First concentrate on a project you can all do together. By
recruiting a lot of younger volunteers all at once, you form a bond
among them as well as with your veteran members. Allow the new recruits
to plan the way they would like to be involved. Enjoy the project
itself. When it ends, hold a big meeting to discuss how it went and
if there is interest in continuing to work together. Let loyalty to
your organization build naturally.
Wonder what your "intergenerational" project might be?
Here is a starter list of ideas:
- Create an oral history to give to your library or local historical
society. The younger recruits formulate questions and video or audiotape
the interviews; the senior members do the talking.
- Demystify aging for kids. The younger recruits match up with the
senior
members around mutual interests (tennis, movie going, bridge playing,
walking, etc.) and together give presentations to elementary school
classes and youth groups, showing how it's possible to maintain
interests for one's
whole life, even if the level of activity changes.
- Hold a fundraising "cross dressing" fashion show. Raid
the closets of the older members for clothes from years past. While
the younger recruits model the memories, have some game seniors
show off today's coolest outfits.
Have fun with this! And you might even attract some of the middle
generation, too.
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