Barack Obama highlighted “seniors getting ready to retire” as a crucial source of new ideas “that could benefit millions of Americans if they’re given the chance to grow.”

The Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign also singled out Experience Corps as “a good model that should be expanded beyond reading and mentoring to other challenges on which national service will be focused.”

Obama’s call to action to meet the nation’s great challenges is notable for its inclusiveness – military as well as civilian, faith-based as well as secular and older as well as younger. He issued the call in Colorado Springs today and in Zanesville, Ohio earlier this week; his campaign provided additional details.

Encore Nation member Larry Grob writes:

I’ve just joined in and am excited to be part of the Encore community. I am late onset sustainability advocate and active blogger. I hope my words will stimulate your thinking, and vice versa—and, above all, tap into your eConsciousness.

Spend a minute when you can at theunlikelyactivist and let me know what you think. Input of any sort is welcomed…

Again, it’s great to be here.

Til later.

Larry Grob

Say you want an encore career as a teacher, but don’t know how to get certified. Or wonder how to put your knowledge of accounting to work helping at-risk kids?

Community colleges — known for their accessibility, affordability and flexibility — are increasingly the place to get for boomers seeking to make the switch to encore careers.

“50 Plus Learners Find Passion Through Encore Careers,” in the Community College Journal, describes the efforts at 10 such “encore colleges” that are part of the MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Community College Encore Career Project.

David Buck of Minneapolis was feeling lost when he was downsized in 2006 from his job in real estate. Then he spoke with Jan Hively, who gave him a pep talk he won’t soon forget. “You’re no different from millions of other boomers out there who are seeking more meaningful work,” she told him.

The two of them decided to gather people together for conversations on options in later life, which have changed dramatically in recent years due to declining pensions and health care benefits.

The result is Shift, a community in which members identify and share their strengths and interests, providing a resource network for midlife career transitions. Based in Minneapolis, the group recently started a recruitment drive and now has 88 paid members toward its goal of having 100 members by August 1. In the past year, more than 2,000 people have attended Shift events.

What new institutions, social policies and career arrangements are needed to meet the needs of aging boomers, younger generations, a stressed economy and an oversubscribed federal budget?

And what measures would best help the lowest-income older adults thrive?

Five individuals closely attuned to the needs and desires of mature workers discussed “Rethinking Retirement: Opinions, Obstacles, Opportunities,” this week at the Urban Institute.

Encore Nation member Jerry Sherk contributed this essay:

I played defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns for 12 years, and I had a successful and satisfying career. Through great coaching, my own hard work, and some good fortune, I enjoyed All Pro status, and the fame, money, and trappings that come from playing in the NFL.

Some people want an encore career that combines combine income with personal meaning and also contributes to society. Others think that’s a pipe dream, and that simply making ends meet is going to be a challenge. And still others at the end of their midlife careers want nothing to do with work at all.

The Internet is abuzz with reactions to the MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Career Survey, which found that an estimated 6 percent to 9.5 percent of Americans ages 44 to 70 are already working in encore careers. The survey also found that, among those people not already in encore careers, 50 percent said they want to have one.

Alice Waters wasn’t content to start a national revolution around organic and locally grown food. At age 64, she’s 12 years into an encore career to transform the way schoolchildren think about what they eat.

She spends the bulk of her time traveling, speaking and raising funds for her Edible Schoolyard project, which gives children the experience of planting, growing and preparing foods that they share together.

Numerous media outlets reported on the findings of the MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Career Survey. Some of the major articles:

USA Today: “Boomers’ New Jobs Give Back,” by Janet Kornblum.

The New York Times: “Options for Those Nonretiring Boomers,” by Marci Alboher.

Los Angeles Times: “Encore Careers Give ‘Retirees’ Another Chance to Do Dream Jobs,” by Maria L. La Ganga.

Encore Nation member Samuel Shafer contributed this essay:

When it comes to investments – 2008 may be one of those crossroad years. Looking into the future, most typical investment vehicles look questionable at best.

The robust real estate market of the past is now in the doldrums. The stock market is stalled out; and, with much of today’s economy being consumption-driven, the recovery may be vulnerable. Both workers and consumers are experiencing the growing pressures of international competition. Today’s economy may be looking at several years of drift or, at best, moderate increases in productivity.

A person nearing those “retirement” years may be asking the question: at this time in my life where do I invest to reap the greatest return?