The Wisdom of Age

A Guide for Staff

Overview

• Designed to offer program staff with tools and practices to best recruit, train, and support mentors over the age of 50

• Dr. Andrea Taylor, Director of Youth Development and Family Support, Temple University– http://templecil.org/

• Download both parts by visiting:– http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentorin

g_1216.pdf– http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentorin

g_1217.pdf

Introduction

• Demographic trends

• Older adults can be ideal mentors

• Identifying and overcoming challenges

“Somehow we have to get older people back close to growing children if we are to restore a sense of community, a knowledge of the past and a sense of the future.”

Margaret Mead

Why Recruit 50+ Adults as Mentors?

• Numbers

• Motivation

• Education

• Diversity

Understanding Generations:The Silent Generation (1927-1945)

Defining Events Core Values Assets Challenges Core Messages

The Depression Hard work StableChallenged by ambiguity and change

Tradition is important in our organization

WWIRespect for authority

LoyalYou will be helping to instill traditional family values

Women in in the Workforce

Delayed rewardProvide hours of regular hours of volunteer service

Volunteering for war effort

Patriotic Thorough

Big Bands Patience Detail-oriented

McCarthy Era Patience

Post-war suburban migration

Risk Adverse

Strict segregation Conformity

Understanding Generations:Leading Edge Boomers (1946-1955)

Defining Events Core Values Assets Challenges Core Messages

Mickey Mouse Club Optimism Service-orientedPut process ahead of results

Your experience is valued

Civil Rights Movement

Team orientation Team playersNot as frugal as their parents

You can really make a difference

Vietnam War Empowerment Hard workersDon’t respond well to criticism

Let’s sit down and talk this through…

Assassinations of JFK, MLK, RFK, Malcom X

“Push the envelope”

Man on the MoonWork is paramount

Open-minded

The VW Beatle and The Beatles

Concerns for the environment

Collaborative problem-solvers

“sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll”

Personal gratification

Understanding Generations:Trailing Edge Boomers (1956-1964)

Defining Events Core Values Assets Challenges Core Messages

End of Vietnam War

Pessimism HardworkingPessimistic regarding ability to effect change

Your expertise and dedication can make a difference

Watergate“Nothing is guaranteed”

Increasingly tech savvy

Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter

Less political involvement

Devoted parents, willing to promote youth-serving programs

Iran-ContraHealth and wellness

Changes in economy/gas prices

Advocates for environment

Technology and daily life

Credit Cards

Supporting Older Adults

• Different life experiences lead to different values and motivations

• Adaptable leadership styles

• Generational trends

Meredith, Schewe, and Hiam, 2002

Supporting Older Adults:Silent Generation

• Personal relationships

• Personal touch

• Lines of communication

• Respected leadership

• Be open to assets

Supporting Older Adults:Boomer Generation

• Recognize experience and accomplishments

• Coaching vs. Teaching

• Public recognition

• Respected leadership

• Be open to assets

• One-to-one relationships

Implications for Monitoring Matches

Issue: Technology

Implications for Monitoring Matches

Issue: Collaboration vs. Self-Reliance

Implications for Monitoring Matches

Issue: Intergenerational values

Implications for Monitoring Matches

Issue: Recognition

Capacity-Building Roles

• Mentors recruiting mentors

• Co-facilitating training sessions

• Planning program activities

• Coaching new mentors

Implications for Mentor Training

• Importance of mentor training

• Understanding youth culture

• Imparting information vs. Unleashing knowledge, skills, and experience

DuBois, et al, 2002

Adult Learning Principles

• Structure of Learning Experiences

• Learning Climate

• Focus of Learning

• Teaching-Learning Strategies and Media

Stroot, S., et al., 1998

Orientation and Training

• Developing a training plan– Orientation– Pre-Service– In-Service

Training Activities

• Several ready-made training ideas in the toolkit– Generational Cohorts

Resources

• Download both parts in their completion at:– A Guide for Staff

• http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_1216.pdf

– A Handbook for Mentors• http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_1

217.pdf