In the early 1990s a grassroots youth service movement called the Commission on National and Community Service emerged and began to attract attention. The original proposals for this commission, as presented to the President and Congress, included provisions for older adult service, but they were later dropped. This unfinished business calls to be revisited, as millions of public-minded older Americans stand at the brink of retirement, ready to engage in tackling our nation’s most difficult social challenges.

From the introduction:
"Over the last several decades, commissions have played an important role in building consensus for policy innovations, from Social Security and education to philanthropy and federal public service. A commission strategy is often useful when an issue has clearly risen on the public agenda, but a wide variety of approaches prevents a clear consensus for action from emerging. Volunteer service by older adults fits this profile. Advocates concerned with the long-term health of older Americans, groups interested in finding new resources to help at-risk youth, and activists interested in civic participation have all identified expanding service opportunities for baby boomers as a bold new strategy to achieve their goals. And yet, with no clear roadmap, new policies and programs may take years to emerge. In such a case, a commission may offer a useful way to quickly advance action in this area."

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