The Generation Clock Is Ticking, Is Your Nonprofit Ready?

Baby Boomers comprise over 72 percent of nonprofit leadership--and 55 percent of them are over the age of fifty. Many nonprofits don't have a plan to replace them, let alone deal with their retirement benefits. In his new book, "Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit," mission expert Peter C. Brinckerhoff tells nonprofits what changes to expect and how to plan for them. From iPod policies to recruiting younger board members, Brinckerhoff shows how to address generational trends, today, to keep nonprofit organizations relevant and able to meet the changing needs of staff, volunteers, donors, and the communities they serve.

St. Paul, MN (PRWeb) March 13, 2007 -- A new book by nonprofit mission expert Peter C. Brinckerhoff sounds the wake-up call to nonprofit boards and staff alike: now is the time to plan for generational change. "Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit" tells nonprofit leaders not only what to expect, but gives them the tools to prepare.

"Generations" first takes a look at the five generations influencing the board, staff, and service functions of nonprofits and foundations today:

• The Greatest Generation, (born 1901-1925)

• The Silent Generation (born 1926-1944)

• The Boomers (born 1945-1962)

• GenX (born 1963-1980)

• Gen@ (born 1981-2002)

Brinckerhoff describes their differences in perspectives, tastes, and expectations. And, according to his research, here's what we can expect as this transition unfolds over the next fifteen years:

1. Financial stress. The impending retirement of the Boomers is going to stress the social safety net as never before.

2. Technological acceleration. The most important trend here is the expectation that we are available and reachable twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The tension between expectations and capacity creates real problems among staff of varying technological proficiency, and with clients of diverse ages and expectations.

3. Diversity of population. Population diversity is an issue for all nonprofits, not just those in urban areas. In addition to traditional concepts of racial diversity, self-identity, cultural competence, family traditions, and related cultural identifiers are all in flux.

4. Redefining the family. Changes in the definition of family will have repercussions on health care benefits, social security, generational legacies, and more. It also impacts the kinds of family-friendly policies foundations and nonprofits set up to recruit and retain staff.

5. MeBranding. Ultracustomization is the idea that we can segment markets down to the individual consumer. It will impact the expectations of staff, volunteers, boards, grantees, grantmakers, donors, clients, museum attendees, play goers, concertgoers, students, parents, and so on. Nonprofits that figure out cost effective ways to attend to this trend are going to accomplish their missions with greater ease than those who do not.

6. Work-life balance. There's a trend to rebalance lives and priorities. More people want to work from home, or even from remote locations.

Strategies and action-oriented tools for implementing these changes are woven throughout the book. Real-life examples illustrate key points and "hands-on" ideas give nonprofits steps they can take immediately. Finally, the book includes keys points and discussion questions--because nonprofits need to get their staff and board involved in this discussion today.

Endorsements

"My advice to non-profit leaders: 'Read it or weep.' Organizations that ignore the sharp differences in tastes, perspectives, and demands of different generations do so at their own peril."

--Dennis Whittle, Chairman and CEO, Global Giving, Washington, DC

"An invaluable guide--it will be a frequently consulted resource. Brinckerhoff's 'Six Big Actions' provide an excellent operational framework to plan for generational change."

--Joan M. Twiss, M.A., Executive Director, Center for Civic Partnership, Sacramento, CA

"Helpful ideas for immediate action!"

--Janet Froetscher, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago

"I am very concerned about the transition of this office and our organization into the future. Brinckerhoff's book gives me the perfect gift for my board and staff."

--George W. Kessinger, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries International, Rockville, MD

About the Author

Peter Brinckerhoff is an internationally known expert at helping nonprofits get more mission for their money. He has worked with thousands of nonprofit staff and board members and is an award-winning author including the popular Mission-Based Management series. Peter has served as a board member, staff member, and executive director of a number of local, state, and national nonprofits, and understands all three of these perspectives and their importance in the nonprofit mix.

About the Publisher

Fieldstone Alliance (formerly part of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation) publishes practical books--with a focus on nonprofit effectiveness, funder effectiveness, and community building. Web visitors will find many free resources on a variety of nonprofit and community development issues. Visit: www.FieldstoneAlliance.org.

About the Book

Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit by Peter C. Brinckerhoff

$34.95 (Discounts are available on bulk orders.)

7.5" x 9.25" softcover, 232 pages

ISBN 978-0-940069-55-5

To order, visit www.FieldstoneAlliance.org or call 1-800-274-6024.

Contact Information

For the publisher:

Becky Andrews

651-556-4503

bandrews (at) FieldstoneAlliance.org

For the author:

Peter Brinckerhoff is available for interviews and can be reached online through his web site: www.missionbased.com.

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