Bridging the Masonic Generation Gap

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Bridging the Masonic Generation Gap

• Sources A. Gustafson, AAUW Membership Committee
• C. Jones, AAUW Director Membership-2005
• MWB R. Conley PGM MI - Stick ball to star wars
• MWB N. Neddermeyer PGM , MN

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Bridging 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

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Bridging 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?!

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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?

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Bridging 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

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Bridging 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.

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Bridging 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.

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Bridging 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
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Bridging 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
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My 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

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What 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.

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Bridging 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,

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Bridging 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

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New Member Bonding Steps

• Listen to the new member
• No man stands alone
• Make it personal
• Concentrate on the right things

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Understanding the Difference

• 40 years ago Top Down Management was expected
  and respected
• Today Servant Based Leadership is expected and
  respected.

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Understanding the difference in peopleMakes the
difference