5. The Boomer Demographic
Active Volunteers Boomer Cohort
Highly educated Highly educated
Good economic situation Good economic situation but are looking
after aging parents
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Healthy Healthy and fit lifestyle
Employed Working past retirement age
Geographically stable Clustered in metropolitan areas
Computer use Significant technology use
Focused on others Self indulgent, self reliant
Sense of duty and obligation Social interactions drive activity
Extra free time Travel, hobbies, other interests
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8. The Volunteer Leaders’
Homework
• Gain a sound understanding of the generations in your
organization – research – and what attracts their
community interest
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• Evaluate the differences and similarities and develop an
appreciation for both – knowledge
• Workshop how your organization needs to “reimagine
itself” to keep Boomers engaged and recruit
Generations X & Y
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9. Expectations – Cohort Comparison
Traditionalists Boomers Gen X Gen Y
Loyal, respect Competitive Self-reliance Everyone is equal
authority
Focused on Optimistic, team- Sceptical, career- Self importance,
common goals oriented oriented loyalty to others
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Focused on Results focus Results focus with Hard work &
performing fun career aspirations
Compensated for Reward for results Reward for Seek rapid success
doing job outcomes
Put aside their own Live to work Work to live Sense of
needs for company. community, work
Job security is part of life 9
10. Communication Preferences – Cohort
Comparison
Traditionalists Boomer Gen X Gen Y
Formal Semi-Formal Irreverent Fun, eye-catching
Significant Not connected Networking, Interactive,
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technology technologically, multi-processing global-minded,
changes. Prefer face to face reigns connections, always connected
to connect face to – local network of
face (formal) connections connections
From Face to Face to Facebook
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11. Attracting the Different Cohorts
Boomers Generation X Generation Y
Stable, mature volunteer See themselves as Just making its way into
relatively young the world as adults
Bring expertise & skills Care most about helping Computer savvy
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out in educational
settings
Just as active as before Want to be involved in Very pack-oriented
their children’s lives
Looking to replace work Independent as ‘latch
with a cause they are key kids’
passionate about
Leaders in their Prefer ‘hassle-free’
professional lives environments
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Enjoy variety
12. Attracting the Different Cohorts
Boomers
Stable, mature volunteer
Bring expertise & skills Tutoring, teaching , mentoring
Just as active as before
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Looking to replace work
with a cause they are Fundraising, Professional Services
passionate about
Leaders in their
professional lives
Social Interactions,
Enjoy variety Relationships, Multi Tasks
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13. Attracting the Different Cohorts
Generation X
See themselves as
relatively young Education and Schools
Care most about helping
out in educational
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settings
Want to be involved in Volunteering as a Family
their children’s lives
Independent as ‘latch
key kids’
Prefer ‘hassle-free’ Be their own ‘boss’
environments
13
14. Attracting the Different Cohorts
Generation Y
Technology strengths
Just making its way into
the world as adults
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Computer savvy
Recruit through Social Media
Very pack-oriented
Group Activities
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15. The 2020 Volunteer Strategy
• Define the composition of current volunteer group –
demographics, expertise, competence, capability
• Workshop future of:
• Organization Strategies, Culture and Values
• Organization structure, technology
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• Funding
• Partnerships
• Define your leadership values – which ones remain?
Which ones can be altered or deleted?
• Develop a plan for “reimagining” your organization
with goals to increase participation rate of boomers
and attracting and retaining Generation X and Y 15
16. What to do First
1. Review the demographic makeup
of your organization
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2. Identify your ‘target market’ of volunteers from
each cohort
3. Assess your current volunteer leaders as potential
coaches/mentors for emerging leaders
16
17. Start your planning process
NOW!
‘Reimagine’ to capture
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boomers’ interest and time
as well as build your
volunteer force for the
future.
17
18. Who is the Next
Generation of
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Volunteers?
The Demographic Effect
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