At a recent black-tie fundraiser, I couldn’t help but notice that members of Gen X were basically absent. Generally speaking, Americans born between 1965-81 comprise “Generation X,” and they are now tagged, courtesy of their relentless use of texting as their primary form of communication, as “Gen X.” There is some dispute about the exact years of birth for people in this categorization.
The dearth of 29-46 year olds at this Nashville fundraiser makes me question my community’s future level of volunteerism and fundraising support. Will this generation step up and work to support causes that have traditionally been popular with Nashville volunteers who preceded them, members of the Greatest Generation and their offspring, the Baby Boomers?
My first Nashville PR job coincided with the boom of “pay parties” in Nashville. In the mid-1980s, there weren’t many pay parties (a/k/a fundraisers) to fill up one’s social calendar. At that time, the Swan Ball was only 20 years old, but it was already the grande dame of Nashville’s “social scene,” and its lone white-tie event that wasn’t a coming out ball for young ladies. Of course the Theta’s debutante soiree, Bal d’Hiver, founded in 1948, edges out the Swan Ball as the longest-running “society” event.
Nashville does seem to be in a category all its own in regards to fundraising or “special” events. It must be part of our desire to be “the best” at everything we undertake. There was a time when it seemed “everyone” knew that certain days and months were earmarked for fundraising events, Consequently, if your group was planning a special event, it was advantageous to know these dates. The Swan Ball was the first or second Saturday in June, the Heart Gala was the second Saturday in February (or the Saturday before St. Valentine’s Day) and the Symphony Ball was either the first or second Saturday in December, depending upon which date the chairs favored. Those days are gone. The explosive growth in special events ensures dueling events now, making top-notch volunteers and staff an absolute necessity.
It’s a sure bet that Nashville still has more “ladies that lunch” than most comparable cities of its size and the community benefits greatly, because they have jobs where they do not receive a paycheck – – – they are volunteers.
Which members of Gen X will fill the shoes of retiring volunteers.
Mark My Words 
That’s funny, because when I lived in Nashville I feel like I had soooo many opportunities to volunteer. Perhaps it was because I was working in PR and was encouraged by people like you and Claire, but I was on three non-profit boards, the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce and even the Chi Omega Alumnae group, not to mention all of the things we did via healthcare PR at HCA and St. Thomas. Since living in Atlanta, Virginia Beach/Norfolk and now Monterey, I look back on that time in Nashville with fondness for all of the opportunities there were to get involved. Personally, I would blame the Gen Yers, not the Gen Xers, but perhaps I am biased!!!