May 30, 2018
This post has been co-authored by Bonnie Koenig and Alyssa Smaldino
Last year we wrote about the importance of multi-generational dialogue. We noted a number of considerations to help make these exchanges effective including: two-way dialogue; ensuring that the approach is inclusive and intersectional; strong facilitation; and all participants make a genuine commitment to listen and understand.
Recently we facilitated a workshop for nonprofit leaders to delve further into the practicalities of engaging across generations, and integrating these approaches into organizational practices and cultures.
Some of what we discussed included:
To help translate these concepts into action, we have found value in the following tips and resources. If your organization has undertaken efforts around multi-generational dialogue, or if you have additional resources to share on this topic, we would love to hear from you.
Tips | Related Resources |
For all generations | |
Listen! (to understand, not just to respond) | Keith Melville, PhD, Social Change Through Multi-Generational Dialogue Paper |
Develop targeted strategies and structures for engaging people of varying generations in your organization | Building Movements, Multigenerational Leadership |
Build understanding of intergenerational power relationships and structures to equalize |
Youth Coalition: Meaningful Youth Participation |
Create organizational processes that encourage new behaviors and practices for multigenerational understanding |
McKenzie River Gathering (MRG) Foundation, Multigenerational Toolkit |
For more senior generations | |
“Mentor creatively. Trust in younger generations in the way that you were trusted––or wished to have been trusted––by your elders years ago. ” | Alice Buhl, National Center for Family Philanthropy |
Recognize that “many of today’s pressing global challenges will have a disproportionate impact on today’s youth. They can bring new energy into decision-making and current solutions. Don’t underestimate them” |
Penido Monteiro, Director of the Inspirare Institute, Brazil |
For next generations | |
Respect the work of previous generations. Build on and acknowledge strengths of the past. | Alice Buhl, National Center for Family Philanthropy |