Report to the Arlington Interfaith Council

January 2006

RSVP defines its main purpose as matching the talents and skills of persons 55+ to meet "community need." These needs are defined by non-profit organizations in the geographical area RSVP serves. As a Helping Hand organization, RSVP will continue this work in 2006 by supporting the municipal agencies and non-profit organizations in Arlington which need these skilled RSVP members. By nature of their retired status, RSVP volunteers are available during working hours and can help continue, enhance and expand the programs and services of local non-profits. Therefore:

• RSVP will continue to work with organizations in the Arlington Interfaith Council to identify their needs and to place volunteers with them.
• RSVP will continue to bring environmental projects and programs to Langston Brown Senior Center.
• RSVP will obtain an AmeriCorps VISTA to continue full-time the work started by previous VISTA, Amber Hollingsworth.

RSVP’s general operating budget is covered in large part due to a federal grant. There is always need for funding of special projects and RSVP is in need of funding for the environmental programs at Langston Brown Senior Center and to defray the costs of the current Intern from the Falls Church Fellowship Program. Any support the Arlington Interfaith Council could provide would be appreciated.

Critical issues for RSVP include staying "on top" of the influx of Baby Boomers and ensuring they are aware of the various volunteer opportunities at their disposal and working with non-profits to help them capitalize on this new and dynamic volunteer source.

This is critical because news from many sources (including data from the recent White House Conference on Aging) tell us that Baby Boomers are currently flooding the volunteer market. They have spent one portion of their lives working their career(s) of choice. Their thought processes, expectations, and goals are markedly different than those of the volunteers who precede them. Research shows that boomers have not saved as much of their earnings as did the generation before them and will most likely have to continue some type of part-time work even though they are now officially "retiring." In other words, they will not spend as much time volunteering as the generation which preceded them. Additionally, according to "The Open Road" DVD on Baby Boomers, only 50% of non-profit organizations use volunteers at all. These two issues combined need much attention and focus during 2006.