Developing Leadership in the Third Age: An Ethnographic Study of Leadership in a Seniors' Center

Abstract

As the population ages, there is increasing interest in the role of senior volunteers in delivering social service, leisure, and educational programs to their peers. In this regard seniors'centers have become a focus for research in the United States and Canada The question this study addresses is, What motivates seniors to take on leadership roles in the groups and centers to which they belong? We know leadership training is a factor, but what other organizational influences may either inhibit or encourage participation? To address these questions, the study assumes an organizational culture perspective and explores organizational leadership in a seniors' center in western Canada In the tradition of ethnographic research, methods include document analyses, participant observations, iterative interviews, and focus group discussions. Results suggestfactors influencing emergent leadership include assumptions about (1) the nature of retirement, (2) the needs and abilities of seniors, (3) power and influence, and (4) leadership. Leadership training and a style of empowering professional leadership are offered as means to overcome common assumptions that serve as barriers to the emergence of seniors as leaders.

Effects of Gender, Education, and Age upon Leaders’ Use of Influence Tactics and Full Range Leadership Behaviors

“…Very few studies have been done on age or educational level as they relate to leadership or infl uence tactics, and most studies on age and leadership are limited to either retirement (Chetkow-Yanoov, 1986;Cusack, 1994;Cusack & Thompson, 1992) or adolescence (Bronfenbrenner, 1961;Schneider, Paul, White, & Holcombe, 1999;Zacharatos, Barling & Kelloway, 2000). Avolio (1994) examined the development of transformational leadership by linking leadership ratings to life events and experiences (e.g., self-ratings of life satisfaction, parental interest, moral standards of parents, high school extracurricular activities, school experience, and positive work experiences).…”

Senior Centres: Who Participates?

“…About one in five Canadians aged 65 and over have been reported to use senior centres (Statistics Canada, 1987). Yet few peer-reviewed, published studies on senior centre participation in Canada exist although researchers have used centres as a source of recruitment for studies on different topics (e.g., Chappell, Segall, & Lewis, 1990;Ouellette, 1986) and have explored issues related to leadership development in senior centres (Cusack, 1994(Cusack, , 1995Cusack & Thompson, 1992). The limited availability of research is interesting, given the former federally-funded New Horizons Program's emphasis on learning opportunities and leadership training for seniors and support for the development of senior centres (Novak, 1987;National Advisory Council on Aging, 1999) and the view that senior centres are an important component in the health care continuum.…”

Church service roles and anticipated support among older Mexican Americans

“…Findings from qualitative studies (Cusack, 1994) and quantitative surveys (Choi & DiNitto, 2012) reveal that senior citizens are more likely to volunteer if they believe they have solid experience and possess sound skills and abilities. Because church service roles are highly visible, fellow church members will be in a better position to know an individual's skill, abilities, and experience.…”