Similarities And Differences In The Silent Generation

Maintaining an understanding of the similarities and differences in the generational cohorts can be an essential piece for the volunteer manager or coordinator. The Silent Generation refers to those individuals born between 1926 and 1945 per Connors (2012). According to Zemke, Raines, and Filipczak (2000), "Traditionals or members of the Silent Generation were strongly impacted by World Wars I and II as well as the Korean Conflict." (As cited in Connors, 2012, p 42). These individuals were influenced by the economic hardships experienced during the Great Depression and are representative of a strong work ethic and desire to acquire new skills (Connors, 2012). The Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964 (Connors, 2012). Kehl (2010) maintains
Similarly, Einholf (2009) discovered that Baby Boomers volunteered at a higher rate than the Silent Generation and that charitable giving and past volunteering were the greatest predictors of future behavior. It was also noted that an increase in the amount of education received positively affected the amount of time an individual volunteered, which was more readily available to Baby Boomers (Einholf,
Baby Boomers tend to be more secure than the Silent Generation in their plans for retirement and when interviewed were "anticipating higher levels of participation in community service" (Moen & Fields, 2002). This information can be critical to the volunteer manager that is recruiting volunteers for their organization. “Anticipating that 51 percent of baby boomers expect to get involved in some form of volunteering, professionals in the human and social service sector should thoughtfully consider how their organizations can be more accessible and accommodating to older volunteers as well as the roles these older volunteers might fill within their organizations.” (Rozario, 2006). It is also important to note that retention of Baby Boomers as volunteers is greatest in activities that are professional, involve management, or some type of engagement with others ("Keeping baby boomers volunteering: A research brief on volunteer retention and turnover,"