The Encore Community, bursting with ideas, opinions and activities, has outgrown its old home. We’re building a new one, but it’s still under construction, so please bear with us.

The new tools will make it easier to form your own groups in local areas or around common interests, and to initiate and participate in discussions. A new Encore Connect feature will let you easily find other members of Encore.org for collaboration and consultation. Encore Answers will let you pose specific questions about your encore career challenges and get answers from those who know the field best: other members. And in that spirit of mutual assistance, we hope you’ll have the answers to others’ questions as well.

In the meantime, all of the features you’re used to are still available, though they may look a little bit different. You can post and see blogs, find members and post responses to discussions.

Currently, active encore community groups include:

• Encore Nation - This is the group of the whole, with thousands of members. It's the place to be if you want your message to be shared widely.
• Encore Colleges - Community colleges are creating pathways to encore careers in education, health care and the nonprofit sector for people over 50. Portland Community College has its own group.
• BreakThrough Employers - This is the place where employers share ideas for taking advantage of the "encore opportunity" by engaging experienced adults in work that matters.
• The Purpose Prize Innovation Network - This Encore.org community is for those who are or aspire to be social entrepreneurs and innovators in their own encore career, and those who support this movement.
• Encore Leadership Network - Thought leaders who are helping to support, refine and advance the ideas and practice of the encore career gather here. (Invitation only.)

You’ll see more groups, along with the improved tools, in coming weeks. Please send us a note at info@encore.org if you’re interested in starting a group or serving as a moderator or facilitator.

Thanks for your patience during our remodeling, and for all the good work that you're doing.

--David Bank
Editor, Encore.org