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 Sarah Sladek, September 17, 2008
According to the ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership's new study, The Decision to Volunteer: Why People Give Their Time and How You Can Engage Them, Generation X and Y association members are slightly less engaged than older association members as volunteers, but actually believe more strongly in the importance of volunteering.

The study provides valuable information as to why Xers and Ys are less engaged.

For example, two-thirds of the 26,305 members who participated in the study said they look for opportunities to connect volunteering to their professional development. Xers and Ys in particular want to know how their participation in an association is going to benefit them personally, professionally, and benefit their community.

The associations that consider these criteria, develop actual benefits and outcomes to being engaged as a leader or volunteer, and then actively market those benefits and outcomes will stand a better chance of engaging younger generations.

The study also suggests volunteers at all levels want recognition and support of their efforts. Undoubtedly, younger generations will disengage from those things they feel powerless to influence or for which they receive no recognition.

Xers and Ys want to foster relationships with associations. We were raised to value relationships, inclusion, and diversity. We expect associations to make a place for us at the decision-making table; weexpect to be invited to get involved; and we want recognition and support every step of the way.

There are associations out there that believe their efforts to reach younger members have been fruitless and that younger generations pose a great challenge to their futures.

I would argue that younger generations pose a great opportunity if you only take the time to understand them, and this study is a great place to start.

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 Cecilia Sepp, August 14, 2008
In development of this research 26,305 association members were surveyed, 23 organizations worked in collaboration with the ASAE & The Center Industry and Market Research Department, and the Component Relations Section Council contributed the "Acting on the Findings" section at the end of Chapters 3 - 7.

The key findings of the study are:

*Association members are highly engaged people.
*Values drive volunteer choices.
*The power of the direct ask.
*A meaningful experience keeps them coming back.
*Involving the younger generations.
*The professional benefits of volunteerism.
*Recognizing the "ad hoc" volunteer.
*Organizational strategies can support or discourage volunteering.

For years, we have all had anecdotal evidence about volunteers and why they participate, but now we have a reference that quantifies and qualifies serious research. "Decision to Volunteer" not only provides qualitative analysis, it includes quantitative data presented in easy to read charts and graphs.

Chapter 9, "Reaching the Non-Volunteer" is one of the more important sections in my opinion, and it covers topics like Why Individuals Do Not Volunteer, Association Practices that Discourage Volunteers, and Lack of Follow Through (one of my personal pet peeves).

If I tell you anymore, I'll ruin the ending for you, so make sure you get a copy of "The Decision to Volunteer" -- it's a decision you won't regret.

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 Cindy Butts, August 05, 2008
This book provides many practical solutions that can be applied at any size association. From remembering the basics (direct ask always best approach, use time effectively, competing for their time); to what completely turns off volunteers (e.g., poor follow-through, forgetting to say thank you, unclear roles, poor communication, high transportation costs) – with specific suggestions on how to address each.

It addresses the realities of today’s volunteer – e.g., changes in volunteer patterns (more "workplace volunteering", short-term assignments like "Days of Caring", corporate community projects); exploring “virtual volunteering”; and my favorite part (pg 71) has “family-friendly” policies to specifically plan “flexible volunteer options” by charting what can be done in short or long time increments – virtually and/or face to face.

It’s a great resource, with interesting observations and practical suggestions for improving volunteer recruitment, retention and motivation.