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A Conference Board Survey

RESEARCH WORKING GROUP ON

MANAGING AN AGING WORKFORCE AT NONPROFITS

SURVEY ON TRANSITIONS INTO THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR:
THE EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE

please respond no later than Friday, August 1, 2008.

INTRODUCTION

Baby boomer retirements will likely cause signification talent shortages among non-profits. But, at the same time, there are unprecedented opportunities for tapping new sources of talent: Many workers in the Baby Boom generation plan to work beyond traditional retirement age, but not always with their current employer. Some in the for-profit and government sectors say they would like to apply their skills and experience in non-profit positions, and substantial numbers have indeed transitioned into non-profit organizations.

The purpose of this survey by The Conference Board, an independent business research and membership organization, is to examine the perspectives of non-profit employers who have hired or are attempting to hire experienced workers (age 50 or older) from for-profit and government jobs into non-profit positions. The survey is being conducted as part of a research project initiated by The Conference Board’s Research Working Group on Managing an Aging Workforce at Nonprofits.

If you are a senior level person responsible for human resource decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, and if your non-profit organization has hired or is attempting to hire: 1) Experienced workers (age 50 or older) from for-profit or government positions within the past five years, or 2) Recent retirees (retired within the past two years) from for-profit or government positions, we would greatly appreciate your taking the time to answer this questionnaire. Your participation in this survey is crucial to a better understanding of this topic and will help The Conference Board develop practical guidelines to help both individuals and organizations manage transitions into the non-profit sector.

Your responses will be kept strictly confidential. All responses will be combined, analyzed, and reported only in their aggregate form. In return for your participation, you will receive a complimentary summary of the report based on survey results.

Thank you for your time and participation.

1. How important is an aging workforce and approaching retirements as a strategic issue for your organization?

Very Important
Somewhat Important
Neutral
Not so important
Not at all important

2. What percentage of your organization's workforce is age 50 or older?

	0% - <10%		20% - <30%		40% - <50 %		Don’t know
	10% - <20%		30% - <40%		50% or more

3. In general, which of the following statements best describes your organization's current recruitment practices with regard to experienced workers - regardless of which sector (non-profit, for-profit, government) they are from?

Our organization has actively recruited experienced workers.
Our organization has not actively recruited experienced workers.
Our organization has not actively recruited experienced workers, but experienced workers have applied for positions with us.
Our organization has recruited experienced workers as part of a broader, multigenerational staffing approach.
Other

If you selected other, please describe:

4. Within the next several years, do you see the recruitment and hiring of experienced workers (regardless of which sector they are from) becoming more of a priority, less of a priority, or staying about the same for your organization?

	Becoming more of a priority		Staying about the same
	Becoming less of a priority		Not sure

Please explain why recruitment and hiring of experienced workers is becoming more or less of a priority or staying about the same in your organization.

5. Within the next several years, do you see the retention of your existing experienced workforce becoming more of a priority, less of a priority, or staying about the same for your organization?

	Becoming more of a priority		Staying about the same
	Becoming less of a priority		Not sure

Please explain why retention of your existing experienced workforce is becoming more or less of a priority or staying about the same in your organization.

6. Has your organization engaged experienced adults as board members?

Yes
No

7. Has your organization engaged experienced adults in other volunteer roles?

Yes
No

8. If answered "Yes," which of the following roles do these volunteers fill?

	Leadership		Support
	Professional		Other
	Direct services

9. Has your organization recruited or attempted to recruit experienced workers or retirees from outside the non-profit sector?

Yes
No
Our organization does not keep track of that information

10. If answered "Yes" to question 9, please indicate which of the following resources your organization has used to recruit experienced workers from outside the non-profit sector. Select those that apply and rate their effectiveness in terms of yielding qualified candidates.

10. If answered "Yes" to question 9, please indicate which of the following resources your organization has used to recruit experienced workers from outside the non-profit sector. Select those that apply and rate their effectiveness in terms of yielding qualified candidates.
	Very effective	Somewhat effective	Neutral	Not too effective	Not at all effective
Local newspaper advertisements
Alumni associations, networks or publications
Word-of-mouth, informal networking
National media advertisements
Non-profit publications
Professional organizations
Partnered with university or community college
Community networks or programs
Job fairs
Posting on our organization’s web site
Recruited volunteers or former board members
Recruited former consultants or contract workers
Search firms or employment agencies
Intermediary or third-party organization
Posting on online job/career websites
Retiree networks
Collaborated with other nonprofits
Corporate sponsored volunteer programs
Outplacement programs
Disseminated marketing materials in the community
Other

If you selected other, please describe:

11. If answered "Yes" to question 9, please indicate which of the following practices your organization has used to recruit experienced workers from outside the non-profit sector. Select those that apply and rate their effectiveness in terms of yielding qualified candidates.

11. If answered "Yes" to question 9, please indicate which of the following practices your organization has used to recruit experienced workers from outside the non-profit sector. Select those that apply and rate their effectiveness in terms of yielding qualified candidates.
	Very effective	Somewhat effective	Neutral	Not too effective	Not at all effective
Offered continuous learning/training opportunities
Offered potential for career or job advancement
Tailored benefits to fit individual needs
Offered flexible work schedules
Offered health insurance
Other

If you selected other, please describe:

12. Has your organization hired experienced workers or retirees from the for-profit or government sectors?

Yes
No
Our organization does not keep track of that information