Last week I participated in a “Work + Service Forum” in Portland, Oregon, that clearly demonstrated that this city is a leader in advancing encore careers. The progress is clear and the collaboration is real. People work closely together, respect one another, are very thoughtful about what they do and integrate their work in many innovative ways.

About 100 people attended this day-long conference, whose purpose was to “advance the agenda of the work-service continuum for 50+.” It was cosponsored by Metropolitan Family Services, Life by Design NW, Hands On Greater Portland, AARP and Oregon Volunteers.