lack of volunteers

[Anonymous]

why does it seem so hard to get anyone to volunteer to help these days?

is it a generational parent thing that parents w younger kids just assume someone else will do it?

it takes a village but it doesn’t seem to compute as the older parents look to pass the torch

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why does it seem so hard to get anyone to volunteer to help these days?

is it a generational parent thing that parents w younger kids just assume someone else will do it?

it takes a village but it doesn’t seem to compute as the older parents look to pass the torch

Some of it, is them not understanding how things work. If it is not communicated to them what is needed and why, they will carry on.

But there is also a culture of filming, photographing, hovering, etc. with these parents and volunteering interferes with that. That is generational. These kids are not taught independence or freedom. I have some high school kids and see it even at that level.

[Anonymous]

100% agree with this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why does it seem so hard to get anyone to volunteer to help these days?

is it a generational parent thing that parents w younger kids just assume someone else will do it?

it takes a village but it doesn’t seem to compute as the older parents look to pass the torch

Some of it, is them not understanding how things work. If it is not communicated to them what is needed and why, they will carry on.

But there is also a culture of filming, photographing, hovering, etc. with these parents and volunteering interferes with that. That is generational. These kids are not taught independence or freedom. I have some high school kids and see it even at that level.

[Anonymous]

Younger people don't want to work for free. It is the generation. Even moreso when it comes to Gen Z. I don't really blame them. So much of volunteerism, especially surrounding youth, is on the backs of moms.

[Anonymous]

We are seeing that it is a lack of commitment. My kids have seen swimming on our summer team for 15y and DH and I have been very involved (stroke and turn, on the board, timing, etc.)

When my kids started, nearly 100% of parents made every effort to get their kids to practice/meets. It was rare to have kids missing at meets. Now we are seeing MANY younger families whose kids *maybe* make 2-3 meets. We have stressed the importance of meets (both on an individual level and as a team.) We have offered rides, brought breakfast items so parents wouldn't have to deal with that, etc with little to no avail. When talking to parents I hear "it was hot", "it was cold", "I didn't sleep well and didn't want to wake up", "it is too much to get the kids out of the house on a Sat AM",

And if they do make it, they sit and watch while others are scrambling. We have asked for help directly "Hey, Larlo, we need you to time today. Even half the meet would be helpful.", we have tried the 'fine' for not volunteering (they are happy to pay), we have explained the importance of volunteering to keep things running....

Honestly, I am worried about the existence of the team past the next few years when older kids/families age out. I am hoping that the younger families become more invested and step up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are seeing that it is a lack of commitment. My kids have seen swimming on our summer team for 15y and DH and I have been very involved (stroke and turn, on the board, timing, etc.)

When my kids started, nearly 100% of parents made every effort to get their kids to practice/meets. It was rare to have kids missing at meets. Now we are seeing MANY younger families whose kids *maybe* make 2-3 meets. We have stressed the importance of meets (both on an individual level and as a team.) We have offered rides, brought breakfast items so parents wouldn't have to deal with that, etc with little to no avail. When talking to parents I hear "it was hot", "it was cold", "I didn't sleep well and didn't want to wake up", "it is too much to get the kids out of the house on a Sat AM",

And if they do make it, they sit and watch while others are scrambling. We have asked for help directly "Hey, Larlo, we need you to time today. Even half the meet would be helpful.", we have tried the 'fine' for not volunteering (they are happy to pay), we have explained the importance of volunteering to keep things running....

Honestly, I am worried about the existence of the team past the next few years when older kids/families age out. I am hoping that the younger families become more invested and step up.

We have seen this as well but something else I noticed is the "my kid did not feel like it" or "we will ask my kid their thoughts/opinion on going to a meet/practice/etc" "we discussed it, and Larla decided she wanted to sleep in" and I am like WHAT!?! They are asking from input/feedback from a six year old who developmentally cannot make these decisions. Then on the flip side, they do not seem to understand what making a commitment actually means when they do.

Then they wonder why their monster of a child turns into a bigger monster as a teen. They do not define rules, structure, and familial hierarchy. It is wild.

[Anonymous]

My kids are done with swim team. I always enjoyed the community aspect of swim team. Now I have the luxury of showing up for a meet and doing whatever job needs to be done and not being responsible for anyone but me. I love volunteering and cheering the kids on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are done with swim team. I always enjoyed the community aspect of swim team. Now I have the luxury of showing up for a meet and doing whatever job needs to be done and not being responsible for anyone but me. I love volunteering and cheering the kids on.

You volunteer at meets without having kids swimming?
You are truly an angel unicorn mermaid of the waters.

[Anonymous]

Its not just swimming. I help run a local rec league and its so much harder than it used to be to find parents willing to help out (coaching, but even little, easy jobs like running a clock).

[Anonymous]

Our swim team upped the volunteer requirements this year b/c our membership is falling. People have specifically told me they don't let their kids do swim team b/c they don't want to volunteer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are done with swim team. I always enjoyed the community aspect of swim team. Now I have the luxury of showing up for a meet and doing whatever job needs to be done and not being responsible for anyone but me. I love volunteering and cheering the kids on.

wait what? your kids are done but you still volunteer your time? why why why why why

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our swim team upped the volunteer requirements this year b/c our membership is falling. People have specifically told me they don't let their kids do swim team b/c they don't want to volunteer.

I agree with the other threads on the volunteering challenges. I also don't think NVSL makes it easy when they require you to attend in person now to this and that clinic. At the end of the day, this is rec.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are done with swim team. I always enjoyed the community aspect of swim team. Now I have the luxury of showing up for a meet and doing whatever job needs to be done and not being responsible for anyone but me. I love volunteering and cheering the kids on.

You volunteer at meets without having kids swimming?
You are truly an angel unicorn mermaid of the waters.

I do. Happy to time, wrangle the kids, pick up food, judge—I just like continuing to be a part of the community. There are a few of us so to me it’s an opportunity to see my friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are done with swim team. I always enjoyed the community aspect of swim team. Now I have the luxury of showing up for a meet and doing whatever job needs to be done and not being responsible for anyone but me. I love volunteering and cheering the kids on.

wait what? your kids are done but you still volunteer your time? why why why why why

Because I’d still like to be part of the community. My life is much simpler than when the kids were little. I have the luxury of time. Shhhh…I’m also a Girl Scout leader who takes the kids camping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why does it seem so hard to get anyone to volunteer to help these days?

is it a generational parent thing that parents w younger kids just assume someone else will do it?

it takes a village but it doesn’t seem to compute as the older parents look to pass the torch

Sometimes volunteering is too disorganized. I’ve taken time off work to arrive at a meet early to volunteer. There was nothing for me to do (and I asked several people).

Guess what, I’m not taking time off work to volunteer anymore.

And yes volunteering disproportionally falls on mom and rightly, Gen Z is saying no thanks.