Reaching Each Generation
Building the Foundation for the
Growth and Future of NCJW
If our goal is to reach
multiple generations, we
need to understand each
generation
 The
Greatest Generation
 The Baby Boomers
 Generation X
 The Millennials
The Greatest Generation
 Survived
the trauma of the Great Depression
and World War II
 Characterized by a reverence for authority, a
quest for stability, a loyalty to brand and “the
company”, financial security and a strong
civic-mindedness
Shared Experiences
 Television
 Sending
their children to college
 The Ed Sullivan Show
 Rock Hudson, Gene Kelly, Grace
Kelly
The Boomers
Experienced the chaos of the civil rights
movement, the Vietnam War, the
assassinations of popular leaders
 Focus more on achieving ideals through
support of teams, harmony, self-fulfillment
and a strong commitment to the work (not
the company)

Shared Experiences
Marches against the war
 Marches for women’s reproductive rights
 Going to work
 Breaking glass ceilings
 Immigrants

Gen X
Much higher rate of divorce among their
parents and was also the first generation
of latchkey kids and the first to witness
the effects of downsizing as their parents
were laid off
 Self-reliant posture, challenge leadership
structures (not just leaders) and advocate
for a work-life balance

Shared Experiences
The Sesame Street Generation
 Mr. Rogers
 Cable TV, PCs and the Internet
 Information unlimited - choices plentiful
 Two career families

The Millennials
The hyper-glorification of pop culture
 They want to help people and make the
world a better place. One of their deepest
desires is to resolve the contradiction
between financial success and improving
the world. To them, it shouldn’t have to
be either/or. They are looking to create a
more integrated lifestyle and a more
integrative career.

Shared Experiences
 Barney
 Harry
Potter
 Natives
 i phones
 The App Store
 Texting
Understanding diversity is imperative
Applying it is tricky
Don’t Stereotype!
Don’t guess what volunteers from
different generations want from your
organization
Ask them!
Many Gen X’ers and Millennials
question why should they bother
joining a group at all much less
volunteer.
 We
 Each
get it!
generation thinks and acts
differently.
 So
now what?
Let’s address the challenges
we face in succeeding to
reach each generation and
grow NCJW