A P P E A L I N G T O

experienceengaging older adults as volunteers

Let’s take apop quiz…

True or false?

Most people have mixed feelingsabout retirement.

True.

Retirees look forward to freedom, but worry about losing purposeful relationships.

People over 65 prefer to be called“retirees,” not “senior citizens.”

False.

In fact, both words are problematic.

Generally, adults over 65 have notrouble with the word “volunteer.”

True.

Generally true for those who lived through WWII;less so for those who came after.

Now that they have time, older adults want to meet new people and expand their horizons.

True.

But it depends on how much time people have,or think they have.

“We need your help now” is the best recruitment message for older adults.

False.

Works well if I’m into my community, less well if I’m into myself.

In general, men are intimidated by the school setting and are not sure they’re qualified to be tutors.

True.

But you can help by valuing their experience,and pointing to male role models.

Women are attracted to the ideaof working in teams.

True.

Teamwork can be a good recruiting message.

Older adults read newspapers,but they don’t use the Internet.

False.

Older adults read papers and are the fastest-growinggroup of people using the Internet.

Older adults may have more time, but they want more flexibility in volunteer opportunities.

True.

You can make adjustments to fit people’s schedules.

Full-time staff are the bestrecruiters of older adults.

False.

Older adults already involved are your best recruiters.

Examples from…

Experience Corps

Senior Corps

Harvard School of Public Health

RSVP – Westchester County

These ads were effective recruitment tools.

False.

Don’t cross the line!

www.experiencecorps.org