Open Forum

Hey folks,

We have a somewhat robust volunteer program, but are looking for ways to improve upon it and lower the median age of our force (currently 73). After surveying the previous threads, I had just 2 questions left:

1. What strategies were successful for recruiting and retaining younger volunteers (18+)? Was there pushback or tension between the two groups, and if so, how did you mediate such issues?

2. Do you have volunteers performing non-traditional tasks? (E.g. beyond the information desk, docents, tour guides, etc.). 

Thank you in advance, I look forward to your success stories!

Best,


------------------------------
Marc Levitt MLS
Archivist, Exhibits Committee, Visitor Studies
National Naval Aviation Museum
NAS Pensacola FL
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hey folks,

We have a somewhat robust volunteer program, but are looking for ways to improve upon it and lower the median age of our force (currently 73). After surveying the previous threads, I had just 2 questions left:

1. What strategies were successful for recruiting and retaining younger volunteers (18+)? Was there pushback or tension between the two groups, and if so, how did you mediate such issues?

2. Do you have volunteers performing non-traditional tasks? (E.g. beyond the information desk, docents, tour guides, etc.). 

Thank you in advance, I look forward to your success stories!

Best,


------------------------------
Marc Levitt MLS
Archivist, Exhibits Committee, Visitor Studies
National Naval Aviation Museum
NAS Pensacola FL
------------------------------

In growing our Volunteer Program, one comment that I have received is the need for hours outside the traditional 9-5. Beyond events, we have been recruiting volunteers to help with collections management, namely getting our 10,000+ artifact collection ready for a move in just under two years. Due to staffing limits, volunteers can only be here when either myself or my assistant is available to supervise/train, which is almost exclusively Monday-Friday between 9 and 4:30. The museum is not open past 4:30 any days, so evening hours are not available.

Having group training sessions later in the day and having weekend/evening hours would probably help lower the age of your group, if you haven't tried that already.

Best,

Shelby

------------------------------
Shelby Miller
Curator/Dr. of Education and Outreach
Galena History Museum
Galena IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-13-2019 11:56 AM
From: Marc Levitt
Subject: Volunteers in the Museum

Hey folks,

We have a somewhat robust volunteer program, but are looking for ways to improve upon it and lower the median age of our force (currently 73). After surveying the previous threads, I had just 2 questions left:

1. What strategies were successful for recruiting and retaining younger volunteers (18+)? Was there pushback or tension between the two groups, and if so, how did you mediate such issues?

2. Do you have volunteers performing non-traditional tasks? (E.g. beyond the information desk, docents, tour guides, etc.).

Thank you in advance, I look forward to your success stories!

Best,


------------------------------
Marc Levitt MLS
Archivist, Exhibits Committee, Visitor Studies
National Naval Aviation Museum
NAS Pensacola FL
------------------------------

Marc, have you tried writing your position descriptions and benefits to capture the needs of younger cohorts/volunteers? For instance, if you're looking for young adults, teaching them a skill they can use in the job world and offering to write letters of recommendation for jobs or school after x number of hours spent dedicated to that project or skill? 
Have you tried crafting positions to suit family groups, corporate groups, students who need school credit, etc?
There are lots of different ways to present what your institution needs - multiple ways to phrase the benefits to the volunteers. 
Best, 

Paula

------------------------------
Paula Allen
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Filoli Center
Woodside, CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-13-2019 11:56 AM
From: Marc Levitt
Subject: Volunteers in the Museum

Hey folks,

We have a somewhat robust volunteer program, but are looking for ways to improve upon it and lower the median age of our force (currently 73). After surveying the previous threads, I had just 2 questions left:

1. What strategies were successful for recruiting and retaining younger volunteers (18+)? Was there pushback or tension between the two groups, and if so, how did you mediate such issues?

2. Do you have volunteers performing non-traditional tasks? (E.g. beyond the information desk, docents, tour guides, etc.).

Thank you in advance, I look forward to your success stories!

Best,


------------------------------
Marc Levitt MLS
Archivist, Exhibits Committee, Visitor Studies
National Naval Aviation Museum
NAS Pensacola FL
------------------------------

Hi Marc. I think you will find as we have, that it is difficult to recruit younger volunteers who are still in the work force. Our museum has the same problem as many others, a large volunteer corps with a median age in the 70s. We have managed to pull in some younger members during weekends. When we first opened in 2000, we had a number of WWII veterans. Being a military museum, they were a huge asset. They are no longer with us and have been replaced with mostly Cold War and Vietnam Veterans. We try to recruit younger vets but have had little success, We also have a number of retirees who worked for defense contractors.
Sources of younger retirees are teachers, police and firemen who often to retire in their forties and fifties with decent pensions. We have had a number of them join us. You may want to consider actively pursuing that pool. Try an open house recruiting event.

------------------------------
Lawrence Starr
Museum Manager
American Airpower Museum
Farmingdale NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-13-2019 11:56 AM
From: Marc Levitt
Subject: Volunteers in the Museum

Hey folks,

We have a somewhat robust volunteer program, but are looking for ways to improve upon it and lower the median age of our force (currently 73). After surveying the previous threads, I had just 2 questions left:

1. What strategies were successful for recruiting and retaining younger volunteers (18+)? Was there pushback or tension between the two groups, and if so, how did you mediate such issues?

2. Do you have volunteers performing non-traditional tasks? (E.g. beyond the information desk, docents, tour guides, etc.).

Thank you in advance, I look forward to your success stories!

Best,


------------------------------
Marc Levitt MLS
Archivist, Exhibits Committee, Visitor Studies
National Naval Aviation Museum
NAS Pensacola FL
------------------------------