lehn: engaged volunteers

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Statewide Volunteerism Initiative www.library.ca.gov/lds/getinvolved.html Promoting civic engagement through California Public Libraries

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Page 1: Lehn: Engaged Volunteers

Statewide Volunteerism Initiativewww.library.ca.gov/lds/getinvolved.html

Promoting civic engagement through California Public Libraries

Page 2: Lehn: Engaged Volunteers

Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century

• Americans who are active in the community and vote regularly are more likely to have a library card and favor taxes to support libraries.

• These are also the people that local politicians are most likely to listen to.

• However, these highly engaged citizens are generally unaware of funding issues that threaten library services.

Source: A Report by Public Agenda supported by Americans for Libraries Council and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 2006

Page 3: Lehn: Engaged Volunteers

Why Baby Boomers and Volunteerism?

• Most educated and financially secure generation in history

• Volunteer at higher rates than past generations did at the same age

• Have been in workforce -- professional skills they want to share

• Want to make and see impact of their work

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Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering

VolunteerMatch User Research Study

Presented by:

VolunteerMatchWhere volunteering begins.

Page 6: Lehn: Engaged Volunteers

How Are Boomer Volunteers Different from Senior Volunteers?

• More physical ability than previous generations; 4 of 5 expect to work past 65 -- 50 is the new 30!!

• View retirement very differently -- see second half of life as a source of social and individual renewal, not as a time to just rest and relax

• Think some of their most important contributions lie ahead (“patron saint“ is Jimmy Carter)

• Not simply extending the years of working and volunteering -- looking to add deeper meaning

• Different perception of aging -- don’t call us “Seniors,” “Retirees,” “Elderly” or “Older Adults!”

Page 7: Lehn: Engaged Volunteers

They Want to Get Involved

Nearly two-thirds of older, non-volunteering boomers are interested in getting involved, yet many aren’t sure where to find the right opportunity.

Source: Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering, 2007 www.volunteermatch.org/greatexpectations

Page 8: Lehn: Engaged Volunteers

Transforming Life After 50Library Assessments

“Many boomers are interested in putting their advanced and varied skills to use as community volunteers. However there seems to be a disconnect between their intent to volunteer and their actual participation because they do not find the opportunities they want.”

Page 9: Lehn: Engaged Volunteers

Attracting Baby Boomersas Volunteers

• Offer flexibility and a wide variety of options.

• Engage their skills and expertise

• Show them impact on mission -- how will their work make a difference?

• Provide clear expectations of time, tasks and training.

• Beyond volunteer management -- engagement in meaningful ways.

Page 10: Lehn: Engaged Volunteers

What Keeps Boomers

Volunteering?• Retention rate is higher for those

performing professional or management volunteer activities

• Boomer volunteers who do general labor and supply transportation have lower retention rates.

• Corporation for National and Community Service, 2007: “Keeping Baby Boomers Volunteering: A Research Brief on Volunteer Retention and Turnover”

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1,200 Unique “Hub” Visitors and over 10,000 page views in July 2010

http://californialibraries.volunteermatch.org

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800 Volunteer Opportunities PostedAlmost 700 Referrals in July 2010

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