Becky Killion knows well the challenges of bringing people of different generations together. As the pastor of Underwood Hills Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Neb., USA, her congregation includes everyone from infants to octogenarians. “Seeking to understand what shaped them,” she says, “helps us to understand their needs.”

The same is true at the Rotary Club of Omaha, where Killion is a member. With four generations in today’s workforce, life experiences and generational styles come into play wherever people come together. While a baby boomer may be willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead on the job, a Gen Xer may value an even balance of life and work above all else. Older club members might be more likely to donate money to charitable projects, while younger members may prefer hands-on work, such as building a house for Habitat for Humanity.  

Killion has found that for her, the key is “listening to what people have to offer … and what they need.” Her church services, for instance, provide a mix of contemporary music and well-known hymns. “If I reach each generation for at least a few minutes, they’ll go away satisfied.”

But the first step is to understand the differences among those generations.

My generation

While the names for and years of the various generations are not chiseled in stone, members of what’s known as the Silent Generation were born between 1927 and 1945 and were shaped by events such as the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. They tend to follow the rules and put aside personal gain for the larger good, says leadership consultant Mary Key, a director at the Institute for Corporate Productivity.

Members of the Baby Boom, born between 1946 and 1964, were influenced by the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and the high-profile assassinations of the 1960s. They tend to be achievement oriented and willing to give up personal time to get ahead, Key says.

Born between 1965 and 1983, members of Generation X witnessed the downsizing and layoffs that affected their parents, the first cases of AIDS, and the birth of MTV and video games. As a result, Key says, they are often more cynical than their elders and not as willing to compromise happiness for work.

The Millennials, born between 1984 and 2002, have been shaped by technology, Columbine, and the environmental movement. For this generation, the lines between work and free time have become blurred, as their embrace of technology allows them to work at any time and from any place. They also relish mentoring and opportunities for growth.

Of course, not everyone fits neatly into a particular category. A young baby boomer might have more in common with a Gen Xer than with an older boomer who came of age during the Vietnam War and civil rights era. But no matter how people identify themselves, having “a compelling vision everyone can buy into,” Key says, is essential to getting people to work together.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

For a Rotary club, the most important issue might be getting younger people in the door. To do that, club leaders need to determine what might attract younger members. Amy Glass, a senior facilitator with Brody Professional Development in Jenkintown, Pa., says that actually asking them for their opinion is a good place to start.

And if younger people do visit, members should “welcome them without looking desperate,” says Glass. Gen Xers and Millennials “have been sold to since they were really young. They’re pretty jaded.”

To accommodate members with different wants and needs, some clubs are shaking up the traditional meeting. The newly chartered Rotary Club of Rancho Murieta, Calif., for example, meets in the evening over wine and cheese.

Bill Wittich, a member of the Rotary Club of Laguna/Elk Grove (Sacramento), Calif., and former membership development chair for District 5180, notes that although Gen Xers typically aren’t fond of meetings unless they learn something, they are often drawn to Rotary activities that involve youth and sports. Millennials, meanwhile, tend to be passionate about environmental projects and are particularly attracted to the notion of Service Above Self.

In an organization like Rotary, it’s essential to respect everyone’s opinion, regardless of their age, Glass says. “Everyone likes to feel like they’re offering value.”

Getting better all the time

Killion thinks one way to highlight the skills and experiences of the different generations is for baby boomers and members of the Silent Generation to take Millennials – who often desire coaching and feedback – under their wings. “There’s a breadth of professions in the club,” she says. “They could offer advice and mentoring.”

Even little things can make a big difference. A club might always have sent its newsletter in the mail, but younger people are more likely to pay attention if it comes via e-mail. Using both formats, as well as creating a Web site and even blogs and podcasts, allows different means of communication to reach the various generations, Wittich says.

Glass cautions that, despite generational differences, it’s essential not to lump everyone of a certain demographic group in together. “No one wants to be categorized. You need to think of people as individuals.”