The 2012 Project Seeks Encore Women for Political Office

02/24/2011 - 02:39:34pm

When their main careers begin to wind down and their children are grown, some women begin to ponder public service as an encore career. From the amount of attention paid to female “stars” in politics, such as Sarah Palin, Nancy Pelosi and Olympia Snowe, you might think there are lots of American women in public office.

Training in Home Energy Retrofits Available to Real Estate Professionals

02/14/2011 - 05:07:40pm

The Home Energy Retrofit Occupations (HERO) program is recruiting for a course on Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Realtors and Mortgage Professionals that will be held during March at Ohlone College in Fremont, Calif. Candidates must be professionals in real estate mortgage services or appraisal services and must fit one of the following categories:

• Incumbent worker (employed but needs training to secure full-time employment, advance in career or retain current occupation)
• Dislocated worker (laid off or self-employed but now unemployed and receiving no income)

Social Work: A Great Encore Career

02/08/2011 - 03:28:51pm

If you’re tired of pushing papers at a desk, social work may be an appealing encore career. It offers the opportunity to get out and connect with people and make a difference in their lives.

Social work is demanding and not high paid, but, writes Lindsay Zoladz on AARP.com, jobs are expected to increase in the field at least through 2016.

Vote for Your Favorite Launch Pad Finalist

01/25/2011 - 05:48:23am

Voting starts today for the first-ever Launch Pad contest, which will award $5,000 to five individuals over age 45 who are solving community problems in creative ways. The winners also will receive resources and support from the Encore.org community to help their projects succeed.

Study Finds Varied Experience Makes Better Nonprofit Leaders

01/24/2011 - 04:22:15pm

Bridgestar has published a fascinating article about a study sheds light on a question that has been debated for a long time in the nonprofit world: Are people who developed their leadership skills in the social sector more qualified to lead a nonprofit organization than their peers coming from the for-profit sector?

5 Tips for Over-55 Job Seekers

01/12/2011 - 05:00:29pm

Forbes.com blogger Kerry Hannon zeroes in on five job-searching strategies for older individuals seeking employment, courtesy of Maggie Mistal, career coach and Sirius XM radio host.

"Mistal has heard enough corporate castaway tales from her clientele and radio-call-ins to know that soul searching is the first step to making a successful career transition today, and a job search requires more," writes Hannon, a personal finance journalist who focuses on career transition and retirement issues.

Mistal's top tips are:

Launch Pad: In Search of the First Finalist

01/10/2011 - 03:18:23pm

We received more than 1,000 nominees for our Launch Pad contest, which reinforces our view that many experienced people out there see ways they can help solve community problems. They just need a little help getting started.

We’re asking you to help us pick the first finalist. With your vote you can:

Allan Barsema Chosen as 'Most Inspiring' Finalist

01/04/2011 - 01:06:09pm

Allan Barsema, a 2010 Purpose Prize winner, is one of 10 finalists for Beliefnet's "Most Inspiring Person of 2010" award. Two winners will be announced on January 31: a Reader's Choice and an Editor's Pick.

You can help Barsema win the Reader's Choice award by reading his story on Beliefnet and clicking on the Facebook "Like" button at the bottom of the page. Then forward the link to a friend.

Prize Offers Hope to Age-Obsessed Britons

12/30/2010 - 05:04:24pm

From across the pond comes word that Britons are just as obsessed about aging as Americans. After age 50, they enter an "identify void," writes Geraldine Bedell in The Telegraph.They are "shunted off our television screens and expected to 'move aside' in other jobs. Ignored by advertisers, they become of less interest to the media. They are on a downward spiral of invisibility. Once they leave employment, they find it hard to get work."

Purpose Prize Winner Donates Winnings

12/30/2010 - 04:20:27pm

The Wall Street Journal reported today that Dana Freyer has contributed her entire $50,000 Purpose Prize check, plus $10,000, to Global Partnership for Afghanistan as a challenge grant. That means she will match any donations to the organization up to $60,000.