Tapping a New Breed of Volunteers: How to Maximize 20-Somethings, 60-Somethings & Everyone in Between
ministry consultants and authors of The New Breed: Understanding & Equipping the 21st Century Volunteer
They’re team players … but …This young generation is often a living contradiction. They’re a generation of loners who make for great team players. They love to seclude themselves with video games and iPods, but their favorite activity is just “hanging out” together.
A desire to “hang out” doesn’t automatically mean “team player.” Is this generation truly a team player or a loner? Many members of this generation want to be a part of a winning team, but it has to be a team that makes a difference.
So what? As a volunteer manager, make sure you provide opportunities for these young professionals to get to know each other and bond together with your entire team of workers. Because these young adults want community with people their own age and adults who trust them, take the opportunity to provide these needs. Be willing to empower members of this generation and give them opportunities to share their insights and skills. This gives you an opportunity to win their trust as you provide a safe place of acceptance and service.
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One of the best-run camping programs I’ve observed is Timber-Lee Christian Center in East Troy, Wisconsin. I speak there several times a year, and I’m always amazed at the quality volunteers who work at the camp. I asked Chris Radloff, director, for his take on working with young volunteers.
Chris said, “They don’t want to be managed; they want to be led. By the time I have my staff for a few weeks, I don’t need to give them commands. If I said, ‘I don’t want you to leave the property,’ they’d respond, ‘Forget you...you can’t stop me!’ Instead I let them know, ‘My preference is that you don’t leave the property tonight.’ By this time I’ve earned their respect. I’ve never had someone leave.” Chris conveys his preference, and his volunteers abide by it because they respect his leadership.
So what? As a volunteer manager, be careful not to micromanage this younger generation. Help them understand your mission, your cause, and your desired outcomes. Earn their respect. As you earn their trust and get them excited about your cause, they’ll follow your lead.