Senior Altruism 1 Exploring Senior Altruism in Northfield Sarah A. Bosch, S. Cia Guglielmina and Essa M. Mohamed In conjunction with Professor Christopher Chiappari, The Northfield Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and Deb Johnson-Schad Ethnographic Research Methods St. Olaf College, Northfield Minnesota Spring 2009 Senior Altruism 2 Executive Summary Title: Exploring Senior Altruism in Northfield Abstract: Researchers collaborated with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to paint a portrait of Northfield RSVP volunteers and their motivations for contributing to their community. From information gathered it is hoped that RSVP can increase its success in reaching out and better serving its volunteers and the surrounding community. After sending out questionnaires and conducting personal interviews, the main motivations found for volunteering were family influence, life philosophies, religious values, social contact and a search for purpose and fulfillment. In order to mobilize the Baby Boomer generation, RSVP should appeal to the desire of the seniors’ individualism and flexibility by providing personalized service as much as possible. Overall, RSVP members were pleased with their experience with the organization and particularly with Deb Johnson-Schad the program coordinator. Main Points: - American communities, including Northfield, needs to prepare for the demographic shift that will be occurring throughout Minnesota due to the aging of the Baby Boomer generation. - RSVP is the organization affiliated with the Corporation for National and Community Service that offers services that enable seniors of all backgrounds to give back to their respective communities. - Seniors in Northfield generally started volunteering in between ages 20-40 or after they retired - There was no set pattern for what sort of volunteer work was most popular or how much time was spent volunteering - Most interviewees lead active lives and consider themselves in good health - Gratefulness, religion, family role models and upbringing were typical motivations mentioned by RSVP volunteers - Volunteers found that the reasons they ended involvement with non-profit organizations in the past was frustration with poor management or wanting to try something new - Volunteers mentioned poor health or traumatic events as reasons to end volunteering completely. - RSVP will be more successful in recruiting if they focus on seniors who have an interest in volunteering - RSVP should focus on recruiting through personal connections of the RSVP Program Coordinator, RSVP Partner Organizations and RSVP members - Baby Boomers are individualistic, socially driven and shy away from established organization - To better meet Boomers needs and wants RSVP should offer personalized attention and flexibility allowing each Boomer to find a meaningful position that utilizes their individual skills Senior Altruism 3 Exploring Senior Altruism in Northfield Abstract Researchers collaborated with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to paint a portrait of Northfield RSVP volunteers and their motivations for contributing to their community. From information gathered it is hoped that RSVP can increase its success in reaching out and better serving its volunteers and the surrounding community. After sending out questionnaires and conducting personal interviews, main motivations found for volunteering were family influence, life philosophies, religious values, social contact and a search for purpose and fulfillment. In order to mobilize the Baby Boomer generation, RSVP should appeal to the desire of the seniors’ individualism and flexibility by providing personalized service as much as possible. Overall, RSVP members were pleased with their experience with the organization and particularly with Deb Johnson- Schad the program coordinator. Introduction In 2010 the Baby Boomers will begin to retire. The Baby Boomer generation is the largest, wealthiest, healthiest, most education generation of Americans up to this point in time (Jones 1980). In the 1960’s, the Baby Boomers came of age. This was a tumultuous era of American history overshadowed by major events such as the assassination of JFK, Robert Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr., the first man on the moon, Roe V. Wade, the civil rights movement, Woodstock, and the Vietnam War. There were also anti-war protests, social experimentation, sexual freedom, drug experimentation, the environmental movement and the second wave feminism. Such Senior Altruism 4 events formed an experimental, individualistic generation that takes interest in positive social change (Schuman and Scott 1989). Social and political institutions must be changed to accommodate and utilize this aging resource. One organization working to benefit both seniors and communities is the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The parent of RSVP, Senior Corps describes the program: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program provides an opportunity for volunteers to put their skills, talents, and life experiences into motion for others and benefit our community in the process. Engaging people age 55 and over in a diverse range of volunteer activities, RSVP volunteers meet core needs in virtually every county throughout the State of Minnesota. (United States. MN Senior Corps 2007) RSVP achieves its mission by partnering with local non-profit organizations to develop volunteer position descriptions, offering consultations with interested 55+ community members to find the best fit for them. RSVP also offers services such as mileage compensation, liability and accident insurance while volunteering, and appreciation events. As participants in Ethnographic Research Methods researchers were encouraged to partner with a community organization for a research project. Community involvement was encouraged as part of St. Olaf College’s growing initiative toward greater civic engagement in Northfield. Utilizing a prior connection between the Rice and Goodhue County RSVP Program Coordinator Deb Johnson-Schad, and member of this research team, a partnership was established with the Northfield RSVP. After consulting with Deb about what she would like researched, the goal was to explore the motivations for altruism among Northfield seniors and their interactions with RSVP. The aim is to not only gather information about senior altruism but more importantly it is to offer Deb and Senior Altruism 5 regional RSVP programs insight on senior volunteers, how they can attract more and how the volunteers can be best served. Setting Northfield Founded in 1885, Northfield, Minnesota has existed mostly as an agricultural community. Northfield is home to both Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges and is situated 45 minutes south of the Twin Cities. The current population of Northfield is 19,331 and the average growth rate over the past 50 years has been fairly consistent averaging approximately 18% per decade. Historically, some of this growth is due to increasing enrollment at the colleges. College students currently account for approximately 28% of the population and have a large influence on the character of Northfield as a college town. The population of college age students should remain relatively stable due to predicted enrollment numbers. A proportion of the predicted growth of Northfield will be occurring in the 55+ age group. As of 2010, 20% of Northfield’s population will be above the age of 55; by the year 2020, the 55+ population is expected to make up 23.67% of Northfield’s residents. In the 20 years between 2000 and 2020, the population of over 55ers in Northfield will have doubled. (ACP Visioning + Planning, Ltd. Development Economics 2008) Statewide Age Wave This growth in the senior population mirrors the demographic shift that will be occurring throughout Minnesota. “In less than four years, in 2011, the large baby boom generation— born between 1946 and 1964—will begin to turn 65, and for the next 25 years the aging of the population will dominate the demographic landscape. The number of Minnesotans over age 65 will double, rising to Senior Altruism 6 1.3 million, and by 2030 older people will represent over 20 percent of the state’s population. This “age wave” will usher in a permanent shift in the age of our state’s population. Such a major shift in the age of our society has never happened before, and policymakers here and around the world are preparing for the both the opportunities and the challenges that this dramatic change represents.” (United States. MN Dept. on Aging 2007) “In the next 50 years, most of the growth in Minnesota’s population will occur in persons over 50. By 2020 Minnesota will have more retirees than school age children. Between 2005 and 2030, Minnesota’s population 65+ will rise from 620,000 to 1,300,000. The population 85+ will nearly double, rising to 163,000. Labor shortages are already visible in parts of Minnesota and will become more acute in the future.” One of the Minnesota Board on Aging’s main goals is “redefining work and retirement – Minnesota should encourage individuals to continue working in both paid and non-paid roles, and prepare for their retirement and old age.” (United States. MN Dept. on Aging 2007) Life as a Northfield Senior Northfield is a town filled with opportunities for those over 55. Northfield is home to the Historical Society and Museum, the Northfield Arts Guild and Nerstrand National Park. The Historical Society and Museum puts on seasonal events and have options to curate archives. The Arts Guild has art openings and produces plays which seniors can be involved in. Nerstrand National Park offers hiking trails and outdoor activities. There are also several interest groups such as gardening and book clubs in the area. (Northfield History 2009) Both Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges have a multitude of resources including libraries, special music and theatrical events as well as guest speakers that may be of interest to seniors in the community. They also each have gymnasiums that are open to the public for varying fees. Carleton also has a lovely arboretum that can be used for walking, biking and running- all great ways to get exercise. Since it is frigidly cold most Senior Altruism 7 of the year, the Senior Center and the YMCA also have exercise opportunities for retired citizens. (Northfield History 2009) The Northfield Senior Center’s mission is “to encourage area seniors to pursue active, meaningful, and healthy lives; to invite seniors to share their talents and interest; and to offer services, information, and social, intellectual and wellness opportunities” (Northfield Senior Citizens 2009). The Center provides Internet access, exercise facilities, general classes, group activities and events, in addition travel and volunteer opportunities (Northfield Senior Citizens 2009). In the same building as the senior center, Northfield’s Used a Bit Shoppe is operated by senior citizens where they sell used home furnishing. They encourage senior membership and “the community to recycle quality household items and provides affordable resources for individuals and families.” The donations sales go directly back to the Northfield Senior Center (Used a Bit 2009). The Northfield Area Family YMCA (NAFY) has been dedicated to establishing opportunities for the community to achieve its full potential. The mission states, “Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, the YMCA provides services, activities and a supportive community that strengthens the spirit, mind and body for all” (YMCA 2009). The goals of the NAFY are to recognize community leaders, create partnerships within the community, create an environment to work or volunteer, and etc. The local YMCA pursues to create a model that establishes caring, honesty, respect and responsibility towards the creation of a community (YMCA 2009). One reason that Northfield is attractive to seniors is that it has a wide variety of housing options. For example, Kildahl Park Pointe (KPP) is known as the first Senior Altruism 8 cooperative in Northfield for adults of 55 years of age and older. KPP is owned by members and offers services, such as, a sense of community, freedom from home maintenance, members are able to contribute in decision making process, and providing affordable housing. Some places are also supported through Church organizations (Kildahl Park Pointe). The “Northfield Retirement Community is a Christian, church- related, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of a continuum of caring, living environments and outreach services as works of love and mercy, primarily for older persons, enabling individuals to realize their maximum physical, spiritual, psychological, and social potential” (Kildahl Park Pointe). Other complexes include Three Links Apartments and Country Club Manor. Payments range anywhere from $335- $1,325 per month which allows for a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Many retired citizens live in their own homes or with other family (Northfield Senior Citizens 2009). RSVP The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is one of three branches of the Senior Corp organization: the Foster Grandparent program, the Senior Companion Program and RSVP. Senior Corp is a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service, “an independent federal agency created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation” (Corporation for National and Community Service 2009). As defined by the Minnesota Senior Corp: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program provides an opportunity for volunteers to put their skills, talents, and life experiences into motion for others and benefit our community in the process. Engaging people age 55 and over in a diverse range of volunteer activities, RSVP volunteers meet core needs in virtually every county throughout the State of Minnesota. Sharing the skills they have spent years developing, RSVP Senior Altruism 9 volunteers put them into practice to improve the lives of many. Whether building homes for the needy, preparing income tax reports for the elderly, or tutoring recent immigrants developing their English skills, RSVP volunteers bring encouragement, hope and stability to our communities. (Corporation for National and Community Service 2009). To fulfill its mission, RSVP provides members assistance in selecting volunteer opportunities, continued support as volunteer, free supplemental accident and liability insurance coverage, travel reimbursement, volunteer appreciation events and opportunities to connect with others (Catholic Charities). Nationwide, RSVP boasts nearly 500,000 members. Active in the majority of Minnesota counties, in 2007 alone 17,265 Minnesota RSVP volunteers contributed approximately 1,737,700 hours of service within 1,650 nonprofit or public agencies throughout Minnesota (United States. MN Senior Corps 2007). Active across the nation, RSVP is organized into regional districts. Local organizations apply to sponsor RSVP in their region and if selected, the organization must participate in a financial match program with the grant money they receive from the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Minnesota Board on Aging. There are eight regional sponsors of RSVP in Minnesota serving anywhere from two to eleven counties. According to Deb, there is little communication between the regional organizations. The Northfield RSVP is an area office of the Common Good RSVP sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Winona. The Common Good RSVP administrates the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs in Brown, Blue Earth, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Olmsted, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan and Winona counties, serving over 1700 members. Within the Common Good there are 7 Program-Coordinators, each in Senior Altruism 10 charge of between one and two and a half counties (United States. MN Senior Corps 2007). Deb Johnson-Schad serves as the Program-Coordinator for both Rice and Goodhue counties. Quarterly program coordinator meetings are held as opportunities for the directors to share what is working with their RSVP programs and what could be improved upon along with ideas for new programs and developing new marketing materials. Program Coordinators are also expected to attend an all-staff meeting twice a year where all forty or so staff of Catholic Charities and one program will present their activities for the benefit of the leaders of other Common Good programs. An integral part of being a Program-Coordinator is recruitment. In Northfield, connections are made using the media such as newspaper articles on current programs and radio appearances as well as personal connections within the Program-Coordinator’s neighborhood and church community. Additionally, Deb addresses churches in the area several times a year. Deb also speaks at non-profit organizations and the Northfield Senior Center. Furthermore, much of the recruitment is done by simple word-of mouth recommendations by established RSVP members. Generally, once a senior expresses interest in joining RSVP, Deb conducts a one-hour personal interview with them. During this time, she works with the senior to find a volunteer opportunity that matches what they are looking for in relation to type of work, time commitment and availability that fits their wants and needs. As Program-Coordinator, Deb is responsible for reaching out to local non-profit organizations. For the sake of continuity, Common Good RSVP has defined five primary focus areas: fostering intergenerational experiences, providing affordable housing, promoting environmental services and issues, developing job skills, and mentoring