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Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Relationships Between Millennial & Generation X Nonprofit Leaders and Boomer & Silent Generation Board Members

You are the director of a non-profit organization. It is time for

your meeting with the Board. It’s 5:30 PM. You’ve been up

since dawn. A full day done. Maybe. A slight sigh of relief

comes over you, grateful that there is a quorum present. At the

table you now sit across from (or watch on video

conferencing) a dozen or so bright and accomplished

individuals with a myriad of capacities and potential

contributions; most may be at least 10-15+ years older than

you. Many have served since the organization’s inception by

its founder, almost two decades ago.


You have a well-prepared 15-minute presentation that includes Canva-designed slides

with images, videos, music, etc. It details all the amazing accomplishments you wish to

attain for your organization and the community you serve. You find yourself, however,

riddled with angst, about to deliver yet another report to the board, peppered with an

underwhelming response from your listeners’ waning attention spans, along with

unrelated questions. Where did it all go wrong?


As more Millennials and Generation Xers step into leadership roles within these

entities, they often find themselves collaborating with older, “seasoned” leaders, and

now “retired,” board members. In the dynamic landscape of non-profit organizations,

an intersection of generations brings forth unique opportunities and challenges. This

partnership between the younger, innovative minds and the seasoned, experienced,

and sometimes jaded, individuals present a powerful combination for driving social

impact and organizational growth.


No matter the age or generational mix of its board members, one of the greatest

challenges faced by every non-profit organization at some time or another in their

evolution is that of successful board engagement. As you may be familiar, it can be a

significant struggle to compel ANY board members to fulfill their roles and obligations

– this struggle is amplified in some instances, when there are generational differences.

Before you are going to be able to lead and empower effectively, you must first ask

yourself some key introspective questions:


Why should they get involved?


If you have a hard time answering this question, you have greater problems than

board engagement!  The simple response should be a simple, passionate, and free-flowing litany of all the reasons why your organization and your work is essential. What is your “why”? Find an exercise here. LINK TO PDF


Do you really want them involved?


Now, if you stumble on this question, you may want to reconsider.  Often the trap may

prove tempting to tell yourself and find ways to hint to the board, “Oh, if only I had the

budget for a larger paid staff!”  If you find yourself succumbing to those kinds of

thoughts, remember this simple truth: paid staff members are motivated by, what?

Well … their paycheck and a litany of other reasons and issues come along with a

larger staff i.e. orientations, required training costs, incorporating new staff in the organization’s culture. Volunteer board members derive their motivations from a desire to contribute to your organization’s good work and to its mission. What is their “WHY”?


Given that, ask yourself again who you feel would be best suited to take on these

important duties of your organization? Now think about this:

Would it be easier to just wait it out and hope they leave someday; maybe just jettison

(clean house) with the current board and start all over with new members? This may

seem like a good idea for some, just to get their board-related work done. But who’s

going to do the necessary work to help change the board’s current culture? Also, it

does not in any way, target the actual place where the responsibility for a lack of engagement truly belongs – with top leadership. That first lies with the board chair

and the executive director(s) finding ways to communicate. Where respect is earned.


While the partnership between different generations brings immense value, it is not

without its challenges. Think about how to foster learning and growth across the

generations by tapping into opportunities. By harnessing the collective strengths,

experiences, and perspectives of diverse individuals, organizations can achieve greater

effectiveness, sustainability, and relevance to address nonprofit challenges.


Generational differences in communication styles, work preferences, and attitudes

towards authority may sometimes lead to misunderstandings or conflicts. Effective

communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to bridge these gaps through open

dialogue and collaboration are essential for building strong and cohesive leadership

teams. Recruiting an entirely new board without adopting some of these simple tactics

might serve merely as a reminder of the definition of insanity – “to go about things the

same way, while expecting a different result.”


Consider the opportunities:

  • Experience and Wisdom

Older, seasoned/retired board members bring a wealth of experience, wisdom, and

institutional knowledge garnered over decades of service. Their insights into the

organization's history, past successes, and failures offer invaluable guidance for

navigating challenges and making informed decisions. Moreover, their established

networks and connections can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and even potential funding sources.


  • Embracing Innovation and Adaptability

Millennial and Generation X leaders bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a

natural inclination towards technology and social media – therefore the need

(potentially) for fewer meetings! Many are adept at leveraging digital platforms for

fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement, thus expanding the organization's

reach and impact.


  • Mutual Respect, Learning and Growth

The collaboration between younger and older leaders fosters a culture of mutual

learning and growth within the organization. It begins with respecting and valuing the

generational similarities and differences. Millennials and Generation Xers can benefit

from the mentorship and guidance of retired, older board members, honing their

leadership skills, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities. Simultaneously,

older, seasoned leaders can gain fresh insights into emerging trends, technologies, and

methodologies from their younger counterparts.


Ultimately, the collaboration between Millennial and Generation X non-profit leaders

and retired board members is about creating a legacy that transcends

generational boundaries. By embracing this collaboration and navigating generational differences with empathy and respect, our organizations can chart a course towards a brighter and more impactful future for nonprofits and the communities they serve.


Just the way this “Big Mama” always wanted…


Free Bonus Resource: I created my OWN personal leadership lessons from Big Mama!

Find my second set of 10 simple tips (simple as in just three words) lessons and tips.


Download here. Thanks for reading!

From Big Mama’s Playbook:

Learn about nonprofit management strategies and grant writing resources – and more!

In the recent past, using individual emails and text messages I was able to share this

information with my network. This network of former colleagues & students, current and former clients have grown with the passing of time. Lead Like Big Mama offers me a new way to shift my communication strategy! It is my goal to provide the latest information as I discover new items each week.


Grant News: Through Lead Like Big Mama, I am excited to bring you once again several of my courses that focus on fundraising, and grant writing soon. You will learn about basic nonprofit fundraising, the art & style of writing a successful grant and how to prepare your organization, board, staff, stakeholders, and partners. Subscribe to find out about upcoming free and low-cost offerings and special discounts!


Grant Tip: Did you know that the interval between the time a grant is announced or posts and deadline for submission can be between 4-6 weeks. This range applies for most local/city or state/regional, public, or private foundations. Federal grants, typically longer in depth, requirements, and size, have a longer period for submission, an estimated 6-8 weeks.


Featured Grant Opportunities: This listing primarily focuses on regions of the country and targets communities: urban/suburban/rural where I have lived or worked, or other places that touch my life – where I know people are working hard to make a difference. And besides regional and state-specific grants, national and Federal grant opportunities related to the health and well-being of communities and families will also be included in this listing.

This week’s grants in the following areas:


  • Children/Youth:

(new) The Karma for Cara Foundation invites applications for its micro-grant program. Grants of up to $1,000 to students 18 years of age and under to complete service projects in their communities. Deadline: April 1 at 11:59 (EST) next quarterly grant cycle For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website. Link to Grant Portal


  • Education:

(new) First Nations Institute invites applications for Native Arts Initiative. Grants up to $100,000. Deadline: March 27, 2024 Grant amount: Approximately 15 two-year grants of up to $100,000 each For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website. Link to Grant Portal


Obama Foundation invites applications for Voyager Scholarship for Public Services.

Scholarships. A two-year leadership development and scholarship up to $50,000 for their junior and senior years of college.

Deadline: March 27, 2024

For complete program guidelines and application instructions for this scholarship, see the

website.


Imagine Learning Foundation invites applications for grants aimed at addressing both chronic absenteeism and the student homelessness crisis that are affecting K-12 students

nationwide. Estimated grant awards in the range of $50,000 to $100,000.

Deadline: March 29, 2024

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website.


  • Health/Safety/Environment:

(new) Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation seeks to impact the lifesaving capabilities and the lives of local heroes and their communities by providing lifesaving equipment and

prevention education tools to first responders, nonprofits, and public safety organizations -

grants generally between $15,000 - $35,000. Deadline: Next quarterly grant cycle opens April 4, 2024 For complete program guidelines and application instructions see the website.


San Diego Community Foundation invites applications for Binational Resilience Initiative. Grants up to $50,000 per year per organization, and up to $100,000 per year per binational

project. Deadline: March 8, 2024

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website.


  • Women & Girls:

(new) The mission of Women’s Fund of Hawaii is to support innovative, grassroots programs

that empower women and girls statewide in Hawaii. Grants up to $10,000.

Deadline:  Applications for the spring grant period will be accepted from March 1 - 31, 2024.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the website.


  • Social Justice:

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) invites applications for the ACLS Leading

Edge Fellowships program. The program places recent humanities PhDs with nonprofit

organizations committed to promoting social justice in their communities. Fellows receive a

$70,000 in year one, and $72,000 in year two, as well as health insurance, professional

development funding, and up to $5,000 in relocation funds for fellows who relocate for in-person and hybrid positions.

Deadline: March 13, 2024, at 9:00 PM (EST)

For complete program guidelines and application instructions for this fellowship and their other fellowships and grant programs, see the website.


Featured Career Opportunities:

The Children’s Guild, Prince George’s County, MD. – School Social Worker


NextGen – voter education, registration, and mobilization. Multiple openings nationwide,

including remote positions


FirstMed Health and Wellness, Las Vegas, NV. – Licensed Therapist (LCSW, LMFT, CSW

Intern, MFT Intern) 


Weekly wisdom, in their own words:

“It's in the act of having to do things that you don't want to that you learn something about moving past the self. Past the ego....”

— Bell Hooks (September 25, 1952 - December 15, 2021)


Did you know?

March is not only Social Work Month but is also designated as Women’s History Month.

As I celebrate a 40-year career, please join me for an intergenerational dialog of history and

lessons learned with some seasoned and wise leaders, advocates, and trailblazers! Would love for you to attend my first Lead Like Big Mama webinar on March 20th?


Celebrating Social Work Month with Lead Like Big Mama!

Wednesday, March 20 th 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (EST)

You can register here: LINK TO REGISTRATION

 
 
 

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