Relating Across the Generations Volunteer Staff 1922 GIs Vets 1943

Relating Across the Generations Volunteer/Staff 1922 GIs/Vets 1943 1960 Boomers Gen X 1979 Gen Y

“I Got Issues” Generational Ranges Gen Y: 1979/81 - 2000 Gen X: 1960/65 – 1979/80 Boomers: 1943/46 – 1960/64 Veterans: 1922 – 1943/45 1922 GIs/Vets 1943 1960 Boomers Gen X 1979 Gen Y

Getting to Know Generation Y – Realistic, Collaborative Seminal Events in Gen Yers Life 1986 Challenger disaster 1987 Terrorist bomb, flight 103, Lockerbie 1989 Exxon Valdez oil tanker spill 1989 Fall of Berlin Wall 1991 Operation Desert Storm 1992 Rodney King beating taped, LA riots 1993 Subway attack on the World Trade Center 1994 Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain suicide 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing 1995 OJ Simpson verdict 1997 Death of Princess Diana 1998 President Clinton’s scandals 1999 Columbine High School massacre 2000 Dawn of a new millennium/Y 2 K 2000 Presidential race - Bush and Gore 2001 September 11 th- Attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. 2001 War on Terrorism 2003 Global day of anti-war protest 1922 GIs/Vets 1943 Shaped by the Times Focus on family Participatory decision making Over scheduled, structured lives Multiculturalism Terrorism Heroism & patriotism Parent Advocacy Globalism The digital divide Mandatory community service Media: fantasy and reality blurred Gen Y Characteristics Realistic, confident, hopeful Goal& achievement oriented Multi-taskers “Diversification expectation” Tech-savvy Want meaningful work $ - Earn to spend Safety major concern Networkers & collaborators Civic minded, vol rates doubled Increase in formal org vol 1960 Boomers Gen X Liabilities at work Distaste for menial work Lack of skills for dealing with difficult people Impatience, points for “failing forward” Lack of experience Over confidence Want it now. Don’t expect them to pay their dues! 1979 Gen Y

Getting to Know Generation Y – Realistic, Collaborative Tips • Design office space for sharing • Team rewards for meaningful goals • Reverse mentoring programs • Post opportunities on-line • Gaming mode for learning • Leverage social networks thru technology • Use of video, video resumes • Virtual opportunities/virtual offices • Flexible schedules; balance my activities • Family volunteering & in recruitment • Engage in diversity initiatives • Good role models & semi-structure • Parallel career paths, recycling • Continuous learning, cross training 1922 GIs/Vets 1943 1960 Boomers Messages That Motivate • Serve your community • Be smart – you are special • Leave no one behind • Connect 24/7 • Achieve now • Vote or die • Just do it! • I want your feedback • Have it your (my) way • These skills useful for multiple paths inside & out • You will work with other bright, creative people Gen X 1979 Gen Y

Getting to Know Gen X – Skeptical, Self-Command The Gen Xers Seminal Events 1970 1972 1973 1976 1978 1979 1980 1986 1987 1988 1989 1991 1992 1922 Characteristics of Xers Skeptical, organizational distrust. Loyalty/trust earned Balance and fun Unimpressed with authority and titles Reluctant to commit to relationships (divorce rates tripled) Believe in portable careers and job changes Informality – manner & dress in workplace Pragmatic, resourceful & adaptable Self-reliant, independent, innovative, inventors Techno-literate Avoid media and politics Think globally Family/friends over work relationships 10% actively involved with creating a start up company Want to work for a mission believe in. Impact. Resume focused Leadership style – challenge others $ conservative, save. Women’s Liberation protests Arab terrorists at Munich Olympics Watergate Scandal Energy crisis begins Tandy and Apple market PCs Mass suicide in Jonestown Three Mile Island nuclear reactor nears meltdown U. S. corporations begin massive layoffs Iran holds sixty-six Americans hostage John Lennon shot and killed Ronald Reagan inaugurated Challenger disaster Stock market plummets Terrorist bomb flight 103 over Lockerbie Exxon Valdez oil tanker spill Fall of Berlin Wall Operation Desert Storm Rodney King beating taped, LA riots GIs/Vets 1943 Liabilities at work Impatient without experience Prove it & asks why constantly Poor people skills Cynical Dislike excessive meetings Decreased engagement with formal orgs 1960 Boomers Gen X 1979 Gen Y

Getting to Know Gen X – Skeptical, Self-Command 1922 Tips Emphasize flexible work options Stress career paths and career portfolio in orientations (1 st 6 mos critical) Short multi-media, interactive orientations – 20 mins max Stress skills building opps – the more learn, the more stay, “renew” Emphasize merit over years of service Freedom is the best reward Use “sound bites” to communicate (30 -60 s sales “pitch”). Direct, immediate. Use observed natural team (self-grouping) for teams/assignments Emphasize fun at work GIs/Vets 1943 1960 Boomers Gen X Messages That Motivate Do it your way – innovate! You take the lead We’ve got the newest hardware and software There aren’t a lot of rules here We’re not very corporate We build portable careers 1979 Gen Y

Getting to Know Boomers – Optimistic, Competitive, “Change of Command” Characteristics of Boomers • Optimistic, idealistic, competitive • Driven work ethic. Seek job stability and stellar career • Career focused. Money, title, corner office. • Love/hate authority. Bend rules to meet needs. • Seek immediate gratification – “me generation” • Education - a birthright • Promote equality in roles • Leadership style - team perspective, consensus • Service oriented, 37% increase in vol, episodic • Willing to go the extra mile • Want to please • Left unfulfilling relationships to seek more fulfilling • Retirement = alternative career • Health & wellness – focus on youthfulness • $ - buy now, pay later Baby Boomers Seminal Events 1954 1955 1957 1951 1960 1961 1962 1963 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1922 Mc. Carthy HCUAA hearing begin Salk Vaccine tested on the public Rosa Parks Montgomery, Alabama First nuclear power plant Congress passes the Civil Rights Act Birth control pills introduced Kennedy elected Kennedy establishes Peace Corps Cuban Missile Crisis John Glenn circles the earth Martin Luther King march on Washington President John Kennedy assassinated US sends ground combat troops to Vietnam National Organization for Women founded Cultural Revolution in China American Indian Movement founded MLK & Robert F. Kennedy assassinated First lunar landing Woodstock Kent State University shootings GIs/Vets 1943 Liabilities at work • Not naturally “budget minded” Uncomfortable with conflict Reluctant to go against peers May put process ahead of result Overly sensitive to feedback Judgmental of those who see things differently Self centered 1960 Boomers Gen X 1979 Gen Y

Getting to Know Boomers Tips • 2 nd careers of service, volunteer increase. • Want work at home/job sharing flexibility • Want career paths that launch to next level, new opps and visibility, “retool”, mentors. • Tiered orientation – many never had! Culture & power structure, strategy, products, competition. CD version. • Love to have meetings & team. • In person communications, avoid jargon. • Reward – title recognition, $, feedback not appreciated, job security • Stay in communities where live; respond to making a difference in local problems • Interest in forcing changes in health care policy 1922 GIs/Vets 1943 1960 Boomers Gen X Messages That Motivate • Your important to our success • You’re valued here • Your contribution is unique and important • We need you • I approve of you • You’re worthy • Build a stellar career! 1979 Gen Y

Getting to Know Veterans: Loyal, Chain of Command Veterans Seminal Events 1927 - Lindbergh first Transatlantic flight 1929 - Stock market crashes 1930 - US Depression deepens 1931 - Star Spangled Banner national anthem 1932 - Lindbergh baby kidnapped 1932 - FDR elected 1933 - The Dust Bowl 1933 - The New Deal 1934 - Social Security system established 1937 - Hindenburg tragedy 1937 - Hitler invades Austria 1940 - United States prepares for war 1941 - Pearl Harbor; US enters World War II 1944 - D-Day in Normandy 1945 - FDR dies 1945 - Victory in Europe and Japan 1950 - Korean War 1922 GIs/Vets 1943 Characteristics of Veterans Conformity, law & order, adherence to rules Dedication/Sacrifice Respect for authority Patient Private Stable, loyal Detail oriented, thorough, hardworking Leadership style – command control, directive Education – a dream $ put away, pay cash Volunteer greatest hours, formal Liabilities at work Unease with ambiguity and change Reluctant to fly in the face of the system Uncomfortable with conflict Reticent to disagree 1960 Boomers Gen X 1979 Gen Y

Getting to Know Veterans Tips • Approach by level of activity not just birth • May have health, sight or hearing problems. • May be resistant to technology but don’t assume! • Rotation policy avoids resistance to change • Offer volunteer roles that use wisdom of longtime service: orientations, advocacy, door openers, trainers, storytellers, spokespersons. • Provide re-orientations. Past accomplishments & pride. Who’s who & policies. Big picture. • Mining for Silver - retention & re-hires. Delay retirement through transitional schedules. • Structure meetings with built in social time, more formal recognition than other generations • Use good grammar: please and thank you. Avoid profanity. • Handwritten notes. 1922 GIs/Vets 1943 1960 Boomers Gen X Messages That Motivate Your experience is respected here It’s valuable to the rest of us to hear what has and hasn’t worked in the past Your perseverance is valued and will be rewarded Reliable workers wanted Build a legacy. You can reinvent your career at any age. 1979 Gen Y