Re: MG

Interesting string of e-mails...I can totally see how the generations get
their "work ethics" and social skills.  I was the last year of the baby
boomer...so I'm not quite one of them, but I don't fit into GenX.  I became
latch-key my last two years of high school because my mother had to go to
work (1978, bad economy) and my dad almost lost his business.  Plus I was
the next to oldest so I had to help with the younger ones because the oldest
had already left home.  But my children's generation was not only latch-key
(mine went to a neighbors house until I got home from work) but they are the
computer/cell phone generation.  Instant gratification...attention span of a
gnat half the time because it "takes too long".  Less patience for things.It
will be interesting to see how my grandchildren turn out.....


On Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 3:46 PM, holmesbm@usit.net <holmesbm@usit.net>wrote:

> I attended a seminar on volunteers years ago.  One additional thing about
> the GenX is that they often want to work on projects with friends.  This
> may be harder to arrange with MGs.  The idea is that you ask a GenX to get
> with a group of friends to help with a project.  Maybe doing some of the
> social things might work.  Or, letting a GenX lead the project and bring in
> some friends as assistants.
>
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Kitty <kmrsy@comcast.net>
> > To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
> > Date: 11/23/2008 1:46:09 PM
> > Subject: Re: [CHAT] MG
> >
> > > Tell me about the GenX..
> > It's pretty long and involved.  The class was months ago and lasted over
> 2
> > hours and I didn't take much in the way of notes. But I can relate some
> > vague impressions I recall. I may have some of it wrong, but it will get
> you
> > started on track to figure out the differences.
> >
> > Retirees - I don't recall the actual name used, one website refers to
> them
> > as veterans.  They are categorized as dutiful, plugging away at whatever
> > they're asked to do until it is done.
> > Boomers might be similar to veterans but a bit less dedicated. Seem to
> want
> > or feel they should have/do it all - hence spread thin.
> > GenXers - beginning of latch-key kids.  Give them a job and let them go
> do
> > it on their own; they don't want you to hover.
> > GenY/Millenials - best group for working with veterans as they crave the
> > contact with older people (this surprised me)  They're latch-key, too,
> but
> > more so.
> >
> > Since both GenX and GenY have developed in a much more fast-paced world,
> > given to multitasking and soundbites, you have to get their attention
> > quickly and positively.  They are both turned off and turned on to things
> > quickly.  If you don't succeed with them right away, they're gone; onto
> > something else.
> >
> > Most info I found via google had more to do with either the differences
> in
> > the hiring of or marketing to the different groups.  However, reading
> these
> > does give clues as to what makes each tick and how best to approach them
> and
> > can be applied to volunteers.
> > Try: http://tinyurl.com/63tqrx
> > Also, go to this pdf and scroll to the bottom of pg 11 to see
> motivational
> > differences for each group.  http://tinyurl.com/63kxbj
> > Try googling something like "babyboomers volunteer program GenX GenY
> > Millennials" and peruse the entries.  You might find something that is
> > helpful and enlightening.
> >
> > And, if you or your MG coordinators are seriouslyy interested, I could
> put
> > you in touch with our Hort Educator and he might be able to help them
> obtain
> > the class material for it.  It is very interesting and pertinent.
> >
> > Kitty
> > neIN, Zone 5
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Daryl" <dp2413@comcast.net>
> > To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
> > Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 12:33 PM
> > Subject: Re: [CHAT] MG
> >
> >
> > > Tell me about the GenX and  GenY volunteers, please. How do you
> approach
> > > and
> > > retain them? How do they differ from boomers? I can see how they differ
> > > from
> > > retirees, as I can see how late boomers differ from early ones.
> > >
> > > The only things I've noticed is that they seem to have shorter
> attention
> > > spans, but like my generation (60's do-gooders) they (especially the
> > > youngest) are eager to help when shown a real need. The early gen X
> seem
> > > to
> > > be more difficult to bring out of their "me first" attitude.
> > >
> > > d
> > >
> > >
> > >> I can suggest two more possible explanations for that.  One, from my
> > >> experience, the other from our extension agent's perspective.  What I
> > >> have
> > >> seen of volunteers is that a person who likes to volunteer, does so in
> > >> many venues, not just one.  They then simply spread themselves too
> thin
> > >> to
> > >> be readily available for projects.  Second, our Hort Ed has studied
> > >> volunteer phenomena and statistics and brought a class to us to try to
> > >> explain differences in 4 age groups and how they work, listen,
> volunteer,
> > >> differently from one another, thus meaning they must each be
> approached
> > >> differently.  It's very interesting and insightful.  It explains a lot
> of
> > >> why a mainly babyboomers and retirees group has trouble retaining the
> > >> interest of GenX, GenY, and Millenium volunteers.
> > >>
> > >> Just more possible explanations of the issue, not criticisms.
> > >>
> > >> Kitty
> > >> neIN, Zone 5
> > >
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> >
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-- 
Jesse R. Bell

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