This is STAGING. For front-end user testing and QA.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy logo

Opinion

‘Millennials’ Must Learn to Listen

September 4, 2008 | Read Time: 2 minutes

To the Editor:

While I respect and agree with some of the comments given by Allison Fine, in her article “It’s Time to Focus on a New Generation” (August 21), one must also ask, “What do the millennials need to learn from us?”

There is much that can be learned from people in their 20s, but this generation must also be willing to learn and be led by those who have more experience. When I began my career many years ago, I learned more from my elders than from any training class, conference, or book. Perhaps experience is the best teacher.

What does the millennial generation need to learn from those of us who are “elders”? By the way, I am 34 (hardly old or near retirement).

  • The ability to listen and communicate. Communication is a two-way street and should be done directly. E-mail, texting, and social-network sites are great tools, but are only tools.
  • The best method of communication is face to face, idea to idea. The best volunteers and best donors are recruited not by e-mail. Millennials may have always been listened to by their parents and teachers, but in the work force, they need to listen and learn.
  • Fund raising and volunteer development is all about relationships. And relationships take time. One cannot build a great team or great donor base overnight based solely on ideology. Ideology is great, but someone has to be willing to make the ask, write the check, and provide the program. Donor and volunteer development and retention start with building a long-term relationship with those people.
  • Be willing to work in the trenches. You have to start somewhere, and that is usually at the bottom. Millennials need to be willing and able to start at the bottom and work up. Many tips and techniques in the nonprofit world are not taught in class or with a degree plan. They must be experienced. Try. Fail. Try again. Succeed. Repeat.

I am very excited with the ideas and the abilities of the coming generation(s) and will learn much from them.


But they must be as willing to learn from us as I am willing to learn from them.

Eric Gnann
Director of Resource Development
United Way of Northwest Louisiana
Shreveport, La.