1. Generation Y Volunteerism & Civic
Action Engaging Future Leaders &
Entrepreneurs
Sean P. Bender
Director – Center for Community &
Learning Partnerships @ Wentworth
Institute of Technology

2. who are you?
why are you here?

3. who am I?
why am I here?

5. We know what they say about…
…assumptions

6. When was Gen Y born?
1969-1990
1979-1984
1989-2009

7. What percentage of the
world’s population is Gen
Y?
25%
35%
45%

8. What is another name for
Gen Y?
Baby Boomers
Me Generation
Boomerang Generation

9. Gen Y’ers want most to
be…
Safe and Secure
Rich and Famous
Have a meaningful
philosophy of life

12. Gen Y’ers
Comparison Shop
Like nice things
Pay a premium for
experience

13. Gen Y’ers
Have low brand/business loyalty
Are somewhat brand loyal, but
not business loyal
Evangelically loyal to favorite
brands and businesses

17. The biggest difference
between Gen Y and other
Generations?
Willingness to spend $$$
Grew up with the web
Cynacism

18. The preferred method of
communication among Gen
Y’ers is….
E-mail
Instant Messenger
Mobile Device
Facebook/MySpace

20. True or False?
Gen Y’ers desire a sense of
place and belonging

21. True or False?
Gen Y’ers are heavily
swayed by advertising,
news, and “the media”

22. Other traits, features, facts, and
etc.
• Young workers born since about 1980, born of
Gen X parents
• Roughly 70 million Americans
• More Racially Diverse – 70% white – Less
homogeneous than parents
• They are not Kids – This is a coming of age
generation that is anxious to run the country
and leave its mark

23. Other traits, features, facts, and
etc.
• Strong Desire to be A Catalyst for
Change
• Internet, Cable, Globalization,
Environmentalism
• People Resemble Their Times More
Than Their Parents
• Keen to Status and Influence of Peers

24. Other traits, features, facts, and
etc.
• They want community – understood,
accepted, respected and included, this
includes peer-to-peer
networking
• Self Esteem rests on how well they are
regarded by their Social Group
• Very Independent and want to run their
own businesses – 44% of current MBA
students want to be

29. “If we only have great companies we
will merely have a prosperous
society, not a great one. Economic
growth and power are the means,
not the definition of a great nation.”
~ Jim Collins

30. Their story is root of our success

31. An exciting new enterprise

32. Tactics

33. Why Eastern?, Why Willimantic?

34. “Success is not final, failure is not
fatal: it is the courage to continue
that counts.”
~ Winston Churchill

35. Websites
 www.wit.edu/clp
 www.urbanmechanics.org
 www.SeanBender.com