1

ADC 721Valuing Diversity -

Generation X and the MillennialsDr. Phillip Weiss

Twin Valley District Commissioner

2

The Generations of Scouting

Currently ~ 35 to 50 years old, likely parents

of Boy Scouts/ Venturers/Teams

Currently ~ 19 to 36 years old, likely parents

of Cub Scouts

Currently > 50 years old, likely District and Council level leaders

3

• Stereotypes abound• Use information here to benefit the scouting

program• Gen Y or Millennials are our Cub parents of today• Gen X are our Boy Scout/Venturer/ Team/Post

parents of today

4

5

Reaching Generation X and Millennial Parents (BSA Study, 2006-2010)

• Gen Xers were born between 1965-1980• Millennials were born since 1980• Both want their boys involved in extra-curricular/after

school programs and want to be involved themselves.• These two generational groups and beyond represent

our multicultural diversity target for recruitment into Scouting and mentoring

6

7

How Does Each Group See Themselves?

8

Education

9

Labor Force Participation

• Four generations are currently in the workplace.

• Boomers and Generation X make up 85% of the workforce.

10

Labor Force Participation

66%

29%

3% 2%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Dualearners

Husbandonly

Wife only Neither

Percent of Married Gen X Couples Who are Dual and Single Earners

Two-thirds of Generation X couples are both in the labor force.

1111

Labor Force Participation

Most Gen Xers work full time.

94%

81%

96%

80%

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

25 to 34 years of age

35 to 44 years of age

Percentage of Gen X Workers Who Work Full Time

Men Women

1212

Labor Force Participation

More than one in four (29%) 35– to 44-year-olds works a flexible schedule.

30%

28%

27

27.5

28

28.5

29

29.5

30

Men Women

Percent of Full-Time Gen X Wage and Salary Workers With Flex Schedules, 2004

13

Income

The median income for Generation X is relatively lower than Boomers and Millennials

14

Living Arrangements

More than half of Gen Xers live in married-couple households.Millennials to date have a lower rate of marriage.

15

Priorities

16

Volunteering

17

VolunteeringTypes of volunteer work most commonly performed by Gen Xers/Millennials:

1. Fund-raising or selling something to raise money2. Collecting, preparing, or serving food3. Tutoring or teaching4. Transportation/general labor5. Mentoring youth

18

Promoting the Program to Gen X and Millennial Parents

More family time, less contentment. Instead of trying to fit family time around work, they are more likely to try to fit work around family time. They would generally like to spend more time with their kids.

• Selling point: “Quantity time” with their kids as well as “quality time.”

2003 Generation X study by Reach Advisors – Marketing Strategy Group

19

Promoting the Program to Gen X and Millennial Parents

The 50’s style “soccer mom” is history. Moms have a high level of education,

marry later, and have children later. They are very diverse in their wants and needs. Many are stay/work-at-home moms.

• Selling point: Show the variety of moms in your advertising. They have a great potential to help in so many ways.

2003 Generation X study by Reach Advisors – Marketing Strategy Group

20

Dads do more at home. Dads work to be involved in the daily lives of their children and are more likely to play a significant role in their activities.

Selling point: Show dads how these kid’s activities can help them be more involved.

2003 Generation X study by Reach Advisors – Marketing Strategy Group

Promoting the Program to Gen X and Millennial Parents

21

Promoting the Program to Gen X Parents

Life has not been stable. Gen Xers were the children of divorce and dual incomes, and were latchkey kids who grew up by themselves.

Selling point: Convince them that your organization is reliable and will simplify rather than complicate their lives.

Just below the Baby Boom CCc: Generation X; Modern Donor, 2005

22

What’s in it for me? Because of the way this generation has been raised and its job patterns, Gen Xers look for what is in it for them. They want to see a direct return on their investment of time and money.

Selling point: ROI in terms of time and moneySelling point: Help promote education while volunteering for a good cause.

March 2006, An Opportunity and a Challenge, Successful Meetings

Promoting the Program to Gen X Parents

23

Selling to Boomers and MillennialsBaby Boomers• Many are leaders in their

professional lives; use their expertise

• Often will volunteer through religious organizations

Millennials• Use their technical skills and

promote tech oriented activities/jobs

• Promote as a help to parenting

• Are pack-oriented and tend to volunteer in groups

24

Managing Millennials

Make Training & Mentoring a Priority

Set clear objectives – from the start

Consider the medium

Provide feedback early and often

Pause before reacting

25

Final thoughts• Don’t generalize the stereotypes• Use information here to benefit the program• Gen Y or Millennials are our Cub parents of

today• Gen X are our Boy Scout/Venturer/

Team/Post parents of today

26

References• Pew Research Report

– http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2010/02/24/millennials-confident-connected-open-to-change/

• “Dude, What’s My Job?” – Webinar by Brad Karsh, JB Training Solutions– http://

www.trainingmagnetwork.com/welcome/silkroad_nov19