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This post was written for Brazen Careerist's bi-weekly Community Newsletter, Mid July Edition. If you would like to be a featured contributor in one of our upcoming newsletters let us know by contacting our Community Manager through a Private Message. If you would like to receive our next issue, join the Community and it will be automatically delivered to your inbox.
Today my friends and I launched the website of our organization OnlyUp, which will help nonprofits prepare for the next generation of leaders through consultations, awards, and advocacy. In the process of building this organization Brazen Careerist has been valuable resource for understanding how the next generation works, lives, and engages in social change.
In fact, the Brazen Careerist Community offers a wonderful opportunity to explore solutions to the leadership crisis that nonprofits are buzzing about. The first step in dealing with any leadership issue is to engage the people involved, in this case Generation Y—who are they, what do they value, and how you can you work with them? One of the best places for this to happen is the Brazen Careerist Community. With over 800 bloggers under 35 who have a variety of interests and talents, nonprofits can harness this diversity and have meaningful conversations with young leaders.
You can learn how Gen Y view social change.
A major characteristic of our generation is that we want to change the world. Where we differ is how we define and how we want to create social change. Some of us explore how social media can bring about social change while some of us are debating whether sectors even matter when you trying to change the world. At Brazen you will find many conversations taking place about what social change means and how we can achieve it.
You can help Gen Y make change.
With so many perspectives it’s hard to know where to start and how to best capitalize on our passions. Non-profits can brainstorm with the younger generation on how to use their skills to bring about social change, providing advice and resources for those looking to have a positive impact on the world around them.
You can get a handle on the needs and talents of Gen Y.
Regardless of sector there are certain characteristics that are wide spread among Gen Y. As you prepare to recruit and retain the next generation, you need a firm understanding of their values and how they may differ from the way you work now.
You can recruit top thinkers of the next generation.
You have to be active in your search for talent and there is no better place than Brazen. By having the top thinkers of our generation sharing their insights and building community you learn not only what is important to them but also get tangible opportunities to work with them. Why not post a job or internship opportunity?
You can ask them what they think of you.
They aren’t just future leaders; they are your current supporters, patrons, and employees. It’s important to develop a relationship in which their opinions are an important part of your plans for the future. Use Brazen as a platform to discuss ideas, programs, and challenges in the nonprofit sector.
I have always believed that nonprofits shouldn’t just be in the business of social change; we should also be trying to attract as many people as possible to wanting to create change. So write a blog post, ask questions in the groups, or offer advice for those curious about how to make the world a better place.
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Comments
07.15.09
Good post Allison! But I wonder, is Gen Y solely interested in social change through new media channels? I ask this,because an important component of social change is civic engagement and although this includes social media, a critical element is hands on volunteer projects and physical advocacy. Also, I wonder if Gen Y has a true sense of community due to the fact that they often switch jobs and change geographic locations. What does social change and community exactly mean to Gen Y?
07.15.09
Allsion, I'm glad someone is really starting to talk about Generation Y! I'm not that young but I'm young enough to be considered between GenY or X. And from my perspective, young people want social change..prime example, 2008 Presidential election! Young people came out indroves to speak their minds through not only their vote but their VOICE. And in todays technological climate, what better way to have your voice be heard than social media. However, I do agree that it is harder these days to stay connected to your community and bring about social change locally. But that's just it, Generation Y is dreaming on a bigger scale, because this country needs massive social change from the economy, the environment, the healthcare system, education, etc....We need to find a way to harness that motivation and make it work on all levels.
07.15.09
I hope that OnlyUp will also look at how emerging leaders across sectors can be utilized and develop careers dedicated to social change outside of the nonprofit arena. Organizations like Kiva and Net Impact have shown that while nonprofits can do some amazing work, they by no means have the market cornered on effective, sustainable models for social change OR how to best tap and develop the talent within and outside of their four walls desirous of make a positive social, economic, and environmental impact. Social enterpise is here to stay, and we do a disservice whenever we perpetuate the myth (that I once bought into!) that business and social change can't make nice bedfellows.
07.15.09
I must confess that I was not aware that the main crisis hitting non-profits was one of leadership as opposed to increased needs for services, funding, huge macro changes. Why have "crisis" in the title? Especially when baby boomers are moving on to 2nd careers as leaders in the non-profit world?
I realize that Gen Y ranks social mission higher in importance than other generation and there is a lot of potential which is great. However, what's the leadership crisis?
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