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The Wisdom of Age: A Staff Guide is a handbook published by MENTOR. This guide provides tips to recruit and most effectively work with the growing number of older Americans who could be volunteer mentors.
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The Wisdom of Age
A Guide for Staff
Overview
• Designed to offer program staff with tools and practices to best recruit, train, and support mentors over the age of 50
• Dr. Andrea Taylor, Director of Youth Development and Family Support, Temple University– http://templecil.org/
• Download both parts by visiting:– http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentorin
g_1216.pdf– http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentorin
g_1217.pdf
Introduction
• Demographic trends
• Older adults can be ideal mentors
• Identifying and overcoming challenges
“Somehow we have to get older people back close to growing children if we are to restore a sense of community, a knowledge of the past and a sense of the future.”
Margaret Mead
Why Recruit 50+ Adults as Mentors?
• Numbers
• Motivation
• Education
• Diversity
Understanding Generations:The Silent Generation (1927-1945)
Defining Events Core Values Assets Challenges Core Messages
The Depression Hard work StableChallenged by ambiguity and change
Tradition is important in our organization
WWIRespect for authority
LoyalYou will be helping to instill traditional family values
Women in in the Workforce
Delayed rewardProvide hours of regular hours of volunteer service
Volunteering for war effort
Patriotic Thorough
Big Bands Patience Detail-oriented
McCarthy Era Patience
Post-war suburban migration
Risk Adverse
Strict segregation Conformity
Understanding Generations:Leading Edge Boomers (1946-1955)
Defining Events Core Values Assets Challenges Core Messages
Mickey Mouse Club Optimism Service-orientedPut process ahead of results
Your experience is valued
Civil Rights Movement
Team orientation Team playersNot as frugal as their parents
You can really make a difference
Vietnam War Empowerment Hard workersDon’t respond well to criticism
Let’s sit down and talk this through…
Assassinations of JFK, MLK, RFK, Malcom X
“Push the envelope”
Man on the MoonWork is paramount
Open-minded
The VW Beatle and The Beatles
Concerns for the environment
Collaborative problem-solvers
“sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll”
Personal gratification
Understanding Generations:Trailing Edge Boomers (1956-1964)
Defining Events Core Values Assets Challenges Core Messages
End of Vietnam War
Pessimism HardworkingPessimistic regarding ability to effect change
Your expertise and dedication can make a difference
Watergate“Nothing is guaranteed”
Increasingly tech savvy
Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter
Less political involvement
Devoted parents, willing to promote youth-serving programs
Iran-ContraHealth and wellness
Changes in economy/gas prices
Advocates for environment
Technology and daily life
Credit Cards
Supporting Older Adults
• Different life experiences lead to different values and motivations
• Adaptable leadership styles
• Generational trends
Meredith, Schewe, and Hiam, 2002
Supporting Older Adults:Silent Generation
• Personal relationships
• Personal touch
• Lines of communication
• Respected leadership
• Be open to assets
Supporting Older Adults:Boomer Generation
• Recognize experience and accomplishments
• Coaching vs. Teaching
• Public recognition
• Respected leadership
• Be open to assets
• One-to-one relationships
Implications for Monitoring Matches
Issue: Technology
Implications for Monitoring Matches
Issue: Collaboration vs. Self-Reliance
Implications for Monitoring Matches
Issue: Intergenerational values
Implications for Monitoring Matches
Issue: Recognition
Capacity-Building Roles
• Mentors recruiting mentors
• Co-facilitating training sessions
• Planning program activities
• Coaching new mentors
Implications for Mentor Training
• Importance of mentor training
• Understanding youth culture
• Imparting information vs. Unleashing knowledge, skills, and experience
DuBois, et al, 2002
Adult Learning Principles
• Structure of Learning Experiences
• Learning Climate
• Focus of Learning
• Teaching-Learning Strategies and Media
Stroot, S., et al., 1998
Orientation and Training
• Developing a training plan– Orientation– Pre-Service– In-Service
Training Activities
• Several ready-made training ideas in the toolkit– Generational Cohorts
Resources
• Download both parts in their completion at:– A Guide for Staff
• http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_1216.pdf
– A Handbook for Mentors• http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_1
217.pdf