ENGAGING FOR THE LONG-TERM?

According to a recent Volunteer Match survey (as referenced by the Independent Sector), the average time given by each person volunteering in the United States is 40 hours per year.[i] That works out to one hour per week for all but three months annually, or four hours for each of 10 months of the year.

The groups giving the most hours per year—over twice the average—are the 55-65 age group (84 hours per year and the over 65 age group (95 hours a year).[ii] As we think about how to best utilize volunteers as they age and as they approach retirement, are we asking these groups appropriately and regularly? Are we willing to be flexible with their travel schedules—which might mean that they are available those 84-95 hours in the Fall and Winter but not in the Spring or Summer? Are we willing to do the creative work to best engage them in meaningful ways for the short- and longer-term? Have we forgotten that they are a huge, stable, often wise resource for extending our agency’s mission?

The groups offering the least hours per year—one fifth of the average—are those under 18 and those 19-24 years of age. Those ages 25-34 (25 hours), 35-44 (21 hours), and 45-54 (33 hours) were also all under the average of 40 hours per year. These groups were more likely to be in school and/or working and/or building their careers and commuting more hours. The 19 to 54 are also more likely to be starting/raising a family with all the demands and stressors that brings. How are you taking those factors into account when you prepare for and invite them to get involved? Do they need a “break” from caring for children—so we choose not to ask them to serve in a child-related context in this season? Or, do they want to only serve where their children are involved? Can they serve together as a family? Does our “ask” add to their daily commute in onerous ways?

For all age groups, half served with one organization for all of their hours and half split their time between multiple organizations. Just 24% of those surveyed offered their time to churches or religious institutions. While the majority were “regular volunteers” (36%), 21% participated in one-time events, 20% as needed, and 19% with specific projects.[iii]

For all of these groups:

·         We need to be clear on what potential volunteer jobs entail—a written job description is essential.

·         We must connect with their passions and interests. Listen and learn about each of them personally. Don’t assume you know why they are serving and what makes them tick. 77% of volunteers used their caring/people skills; 62% used creative talents.[iv] Are we at the very least connecting with these areas of interest?

·         We must care for them. Genuinely. In ways that they know that THEY matter more than the “work” we need them to “get done.”

·         The majority in each age group expressed interest in doing more this year than last—both offering more of their time and getting involved in more organizations, most especially the 19 to 44 age groups.[v] How are you, as a volunteer engager reaching out to these people to help them explore options for getting more involved?

How can you come alongside each individual to help them continue to grow, learn, contribute, and find enjoyment and community along the way—while at the same time meet your agency’s/organization’s needs to deliver services?

[Continued in the next series of posts.]

Shirley Giles Davis is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with a diversity of teams, leaders, and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally for over 35 years. She specializes in collaborative dialogue around a variety of subjects, with the goal of assisting every client in identifying priorities, becoming increasingly self-aware and deepening other-awareness, pursuing goals, overcoming obstacles, leaning into strengths, growing to greater health and skill, finding clarity, and, ultimately, flourishing. Contact Shirley. 

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis.

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[i] https://solutions.volunteermatch.org/hubfs/

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Ibid.

[v] Ibid.