Title: Bridging the Masonic Generation Gap
1Bridging the Masonic Generation Gap
- Sources A. Gustafson, AAUW Membership Committee
Chair - C. Jones, AAUW Director Membership-2005
- MWB R. Conley PGM MI - Stick ball to star wars
- MWB N. Neddermeyer PGM , MN
2Bridging the Generation Gap
- The Goal of this session is to identify
- Who are todays potential new brothers? How do
you reach them, get them to join and ultimately
keep them? - What membership resources are available to help
you? How do you show the value of belonging to
our organization
3Bridging the Generation Gap
- Targeting new audiences for membership growth
- Whos out there?
- How do you understand them?
- How do you use that knowledge to communicate with
them? - How do you get them to join?!
4 Bridging the Generation Gap
- Reaching out to different generations is a key to
growth, our largest new audience is vast. - Who are they?
- How do we understand them better?
- How do we communicate with them so they see the
importance of being a Mason?
5Bridging the Generation Gap
- Whos out there?
- The Silent or Greatest Generation
- Baby Boomers or Baby Busters
- Generation X
- Generation Y otherwise know as Nexters or
Millennials or Generation Next
6Bridging the Generation Gap
- The Silent or Greatest Generation
- Born before 1946 strong traditional views of
religon, family, and country. - Focus include respect for authority, loyalty,
hard work, and dedication. Security, stability
and now health care are their main issues. - Known as joiners, Many joined Masonry
- Like the written word in a formal format (few
pictures) and - Came through the ranks (ie paid their volunteer
dues) to ultimately take leadership.
7Bridging the Generation Gap
- Baby Boomers or Baby Busters
- Born between 1946 1964 did not experience the
same difficulties as their parents. - Were influenced by the civil rights movement,
women's liberation, the space program, the Cold
War, and the Vietnam War. - They are known to place a high value on youth,
health, personal gratification, and material
wealth. - Baby Boomers are optimistic and believe their
generation changed the world. Personal values,
respect and success - main motivators.
8Bridging the Generation Gap
- Generation X
- Born between 1965-1980
- Tend to be nontraditional, interested in new
concepts and products and have a global mindset. - Called the misunderstood generation.
- Often thought to be lazy, selfish and don't want
to get involved. - In reality need personally relevant value the
answer to Whats in it for me? and want active
participation as problem solvers. - Key motivator is an enjoyable experience.
Main sources Cynthia DAmour, Engaging
Generation X Members,, and Phyllis I. Pieffer,
Globalization, governance and generational
issues, American Music Teacher, Dec04 Music
Teachers National Association, Inc
9Bridging the Generation Gap
- Generation Y
- Born between 1980-2000 have no recollection of
the Reagan era, do not remember the Cold War, and
have known only one Germany. Their world has
always had AIDS, answering machines, microwave
ovens, and videocassette recorders. - This generation includes more than 81 million
people, approximately 30, of the current
population - and are greater in number than the
Baby Boom generation. - They will influence changes in the work
environment, just as the Baby Boomers did in the
past. - They will join us but they need to be listened
to. They demand input. - Source Sherry L. Clausing, Doris L. Kurtz,
Judith Prendeville, Janet Lynn Walt,
Generational diversitythe nexters, AORN
Journal, Sept, 2003
Main sources Cynthia DAmour, Engaging
Generation X Members, and Phyllis I. Pieffer,
Globalization, governance and generational
issues, American Music Teacher, Dec04 Music
Teachers National Association, Inc
10My generation is viewed positively by other
generations.
- 30 of Boomers said NO
- 24 of Traditionalists said NO
- And for Xers 60 said NO
- Source When Generations Collide, by Lynne C.
Lancaster and David Stillman published by Harper
Press
11What can be done?
- Change focus of us to them
- Learn that Membership is the only reason for our
existence. - Focus on important things, not extemporaneous
things. - Give them what they want.
12Bridging the Generation Gap
- Communication Tips
- Mature Generation Build trust face-to-face
written more formal - Baby Boomers Speak in an open direct style
answer questions directly and expect to be
pressed for details - Generation X Learn their language and speak it
use e-mail as your primary communication tool
talk in short sound bytes to keep their
attention share information with them
immediately and often - Generation Y Let your language paint visual
pictures use e-mail and voicemail as primary
communication tools constantly seek their
feedback - Source S. L. Clausing, D. L. Kurtz, J.
Prendeville, Janet Lynn Walt, Generational
diversitythe nexters,
13Bridging the Gap
- What challenges opportunities do these
differences bring? - New ways of doing business
- Have younger members chair committees usually
reserved for the elder - Use of ad-hoc committees for short-time
commitment - The new meeting high tech gadgets on site CDs
to take back with them what to offer if they
cant attend? - Source C. W. Zust, M.A., Baby Boomer Leaders
Face Challenges Communicating Across Generations
14New Member Bonding Steps
- Listen to the new member
- No man stands alone
- Make it personal
- Concentrate on the right things
15Understanding the Difference
- 40 years ago Top Down Management was expected
and respected - Today Servant Based Leadership is expected and
respected.
16Understanding the difference in peopleMakes the
difference