THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATION Volume XXVIII, Number 1 (March 2011) ISSN 1942-728X 9 An Exploration of Learning through Volunteering during Retirement Suzanne L. Cook, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto KLARU, Baycrest, 3560 Bathurst. St., Toronto, ON, Canada M6A 2E1 Tel.: 416-785-2500, ext. 2991 * FAX: 416-785-2862 * E-mail: scook@klaru-baycrest.on.ca Abstract This study explored learning among older adults engaged in volunteer activities. While the study of learning in older adults has traditionally been neglected, there is an increasing interest in lifelong learning. In light of this, learning opportunities and goals may be important for volunteer engagement and retention. This mixed methods study first asked older volunteers, 55 to 75 years of age, about their learning opportunities. Subsequently, learning goals were examined through a survey involving a Canadian sample of 214 individuals who were also 55 to 75 years of age. Examples of volunteer-related informal learning and formal education were described by participants as well as the importance of learning and being mentally active and engaged. The implications for volunteer resource management are discussed and some suggestions for future research are given. Key Words: volunteers, older adults, lifelong learning, retirement, volunteer resource management Introduction The Canadian Council on Learning (2006) suggested that “you don’t stop learning when you grow old; you grow old when you stop learning” (p. 2). For older adults, engagement in volunteer activities is an excellent way to continue learning and being mentally engaged. Lifelong learning is the gaining of knowledge across the life-span (Jarvis, 2004). Adults of all ages have lifelong learning needs for development, for on- going cognitive stimulation and in order to be engaged, productive and contributing members of society (Hoare, 2006; Illeris, 2004; Livingstone, 2008, 2010; Schugurensky, Slade, & Luo, 2005; Super, Savickas & Super, 1996; Wilson, Harlow- Rosentraub, Manning, Simson, & Steele, 2007). This article discusses learning and volunteering in order to explore and better understand the range of learning experiences amongst older volunteers, aged 55 to 75, inclusive. This topic is important for three reasons: 1) Understanding learning opportunities and goals is an important aspect of the volunteer resource management of older volunteers. Exploring this issue will assist volunteer resource managers with facilitating learning opportunities and actively creating spaces for learning. Furthermore, learning in volunteer roles may increase the volunteer recruitment, engagement and retention of older volunteers. 2) Recent research links mental health in the later years with mental stimulation and this seems to indicate the importance of learning for life as well as throughout life, over and above personal enjoyment, stimulation and engagement purposes.