Calling all Baby Boomers
For as long as we can remember, retirees have been the driving force behind so much goodwill in our communities. We’ve all heard of professional volunteers — those who dedicate an enormous amount of time and energy to their communities — and most of us have benefitted from their service, directly or indirectly. But society is changing and so are the ways in which people volunteer their time. The Boomer generation — Canadians born between 1947 and 1966 — will face a host of time pressures that the generation before them did not. For example, the high-cost of child care means grandparents often fill the role of caregiver while the parents go to work. To accommodate this new generation, non-profits and charities are rethinking how they structure volunteer jobs. With 80% of Canada’s non-profits and charities relying almost completely on volunteer hours to stay open, it’s become important to develop programs that cater to the needs of the Boomer generation. Some good news: The new generation of volunteers will include more people than ever before who have enjoyed long, successful and challenging careers. As the demands that work and family have placed on them change, Boomers have the potential to become a social resource by actively participating in the growth and development of their communities. One emerging trend in the volunteer sector is to capitalize on their wealth of knowledge by offering them shorter-term, more substantial volunteer roles (similar to consulting work). It sounds like a radical departure, but these new roles are best suited to the skills and experiences of the Boomer generation. Some Boomers are nervous about stepping away from work for the first time. Leaving work can also mean the loss of a social network, and volunteering is a great way to address that. Volunteering can provide a way to keep the mind active and lives full of purpose. What do Boomers have to give? They bring to the table a wealth of life and career experience. Boomers can make a big impact by sharing their wisdom and perspective. Boomers represent a growing force that is ripe with potential. With more Canadians retiring earlier, post- work years are becoming almost as long as work years. As a result, many Canadians have discovered the fulfillment and satisfaction of volunteering after 50 years of age. For information on where you can find a volunteer opportunity, please contact Volunteer Manitoba. Visit www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
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