What’s New for “Get Involved” for 2012?

Webinar – November 17, 2011

www.library.ca.gov/lds/getinvolved.html

Carla Lehn: clehn@library.ca.gov

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.”

. . . 2008http://transforminglifeafter50.org/

Promoting civic engagement through California Public Libraries

www.library.ca.gov/lds/getinvolved.html

Project Goals:

• Train public libraries in the skills and competencies to recruit and engage high-skilled, high-impact volunteers.

• Build public library capacity to engage more volunteers.

• Position public libraries as centers for civic engagement.

• Assist community members to find volunteer opportunities that match their individual talents, passions and interests.

• Engage their skills, gain their understanding, and garner their support for the library.

Baby Boomers: Why Should We Care?

• 77 Million Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964 (in 2011 are ages 47 - 65)

• Most educated and financially secure generation in history

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

• Nearly 2/3 of Boomer non-volunteers want to get involved but don’t know how

• Have been in workforce & have professional skills they want to share to make high level of impact

Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering

VolunteerMatch User Research Study

Presented by:

VolunteerMatchWhere volunteering begins.

How Are Boomer VolunteersDifferent 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!”

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.

Skilled VolunteerSuccess Stories

• Job Center Coach• Event Planner• Computer Coach• Graphic Designer• Photographer• Adult Literacy Tutor• Coordinator, After School

Programs• Homework Coach• Lego Club Leader

Support for Your Success

• Website – Adding a Searchable Database

• Listserv – 350+ library colleagues around the state

• VolunteerMatch Account for your Library• VolunteerMatch Support• Webinars – Next one November 17 - Noon

• Regional Peer Networks• Free Volunteer Engagement Online Course• Photos of Volunteers in Action for Your Use• Bookmarks and Postcards• Book to Action Grants – Coming Soon!

Average 800 Volunteer Opportunities Posted

Average 500 Referrals per Month

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