They are the Greatest Underutilized Resource in the World

I hope the title catches your attention because I do not think the mere brute force numbers are doing just that. What I am referring to is the immense multitude of recently retired, soon to be retired and partially retired adults. These individuals who are truly in the prime of their life, (spoken profoundly by a person who just turned 55), with a wealth of experience are being ignored by so many of us in the non-profit world.

Let’s explore a few basic facts here:

1. They have extra time to give
2. Connecting to NPO’s brings so much more meaning to their lives
3. They have honed so many skills which should apply
4. They have disposable income
5. They are doing or updating their estate planning
6. They are communicating profusely with their peers
7. They are a joy to be with as the stories pour out
8. As everyone lives longer, their numbers become huge

The article by Chris Woolston on "Seniors and Volunteering: A Whole New Life" explores this subject extremely well. I love the many stories he shares. Here is my favorite:

For many seniors, volunteering is something they can hardly imagine themselves not doing. Among them is Leon Gurny, who finds his volunteer time as an English tutor to adult professionals profoundly gratifying. The 73-year-old Chicago resident has taught his students, who hail from China, Poland, Bulgaria, and many other countries, to work crossword puzzles ("they love it and it's great for their vocabulary"). He also keeps them busy with reading and Henny Youngman joke books. "Sometimes when I go on vacation, I feel guilty and start having withdrawal pains," Gurny says. "I get juiced up to go to class; it keeps my mind alert."

His article also lists some excellent resources in order to make such stories come to life...

• Administration on Aging: (202) 619-0724/(202) 619-0724. The AoA enlists 500,000 volunteers nationwide, many of them senior citizens, to help older people in need. (Studies have found that senior citizen volunteers are especially effective at aiding the elderly.) Volunteer activities include delivering meals to the homebound, escorting frail seniors to needed services, repairing homes of low-income and frail seniors, assisting at senior centers, and counseling older people on health, nutrition, and finances.
• Volunteers of America: (800) 899-0089/(800) 899-0089. A non-profit founded in 1896, the VOA is a national, faith-based organization that provides services to millions of Americans in need.
• Senior Corps: (202) 606-5000/(202) 606-5000. This branch of the federally funded Corporation for National and Community Service helps people 55 and over find volunteering opportunities in their community. The corps runs a foster grandparent program that helps children with special needs; a senior companion program that helps at-risk seniors live independently; and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) that provides many different services. Senior Companions and Foster Grandparents must be 60 or over and willing to work at least 15 hours each week.

One of my greatest hopes is that many of the recently retired adults who have never touched or have been touched by the non-profit world will find new life there. No matter what your skill set is there is so much that can be done to make this world a better place. Please share the resources above with any folks you know in this group. They will thank you down the road!

As a follow-up to last week's post about boards, Fund Raising Success had a good article regarding Board Development: 10 Questions to Help Nonprofits Address Strengths and Challenges for Better Board Development by Abny Santicola.