Having worked with senior volunteers who had become much more senior over their tenure, my suggestions are as follows: If it is an ability to serve issue, discuss the issues with the volunteer(s) in question. Be frank and specific, but respectful. Ask the volunteer for their suggestions about how else they might contribute, and have suggestions ready to offer. By accepting this person's assistance over the years, your institution has entered into an emotional contract with them, and firing them is a last resort. HOWEVER, if you are young (under 55), YOU SHOULD FIND AN OLDER STAFF PERSON TO INITIATE THIS DISCUSSION WITH THE VOLUNTEER. The more senior in position the person is, the better. Adjusting to new limits on what a person is able to do is a life passage that is difficult to accept and almost impossible to discuss with a younger "boss". If the problem is a regime change/philosophy issue, be equally as frank, but keep the discussion on the "we need you to get on board" level and do not confuse it with the age issue. Kate Gonzalez Long Legislative Affairs, Planning and Reports California Science Center 213 744-7473 ________________________________ From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Julie Kendig Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 12:35 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: aging volunteers To all volunteer coordinators and the like: I sit on a committee of volunteer coordinators in Balboa Park, San Diego (where the sun is as high as the gas prices). Our current hot topic is how to deal with aging volunteers who are (1) not capable to do the work they originally started doing in the museum (i.e. standing for long periods of time, etc.) (2) not happy with regime change or (3) becoming a detriment to the museum. Can anyone please help me with constructive resources that deal with this issue? Articles, personal experiences, contacts in San Diego area, or anything you want to add to the discussion is greatly appreciated! Thank you for listening and participating in the discussion! Sincerely, Julie Kendig Volunteer Services Coordinator Reuben H. Fleet Science Center PO Box 33303 San Diego, CA 92163 (619)238-1233 ext. 835 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).