Groups are forming all over the nation of experienced individuals who want to channel their energy and talents into work that matters. The activities of these organizations range from casual chats over coffee to intensive workshops focused on discovering your purpose in life. Many are active supporters of encore careers that combine income and meaning with social impact. Most offer free newsletters.

View a list of Midlife Transition Groups.

Whether you are a nonprofit employer interested in further developing your workforce or someone who is interested in an encore career but has not previously worked at a nonprofit, a new report, “A Perfect Match? How Nonprofits are Tapping into the Boomer Talent Pool”, by Jill Casner-Lotto of The Conference Board, provides “actionable advice” for both.

Planet Green is a 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network. The site offers extensive online content about living green, and offers a green careers search function. Planet Green also connects readers to an array of other Green Job Boards along with general advice for those seeking work in the green industry.

GreenBiz.com has a terrific collection of green job listings. You can search for jobs, post a resume, view resumes, and use career tools. The site also features energy and climate news and multiple blogs.

All For Good helps you to improve your community by volunteering. The site allows you to search for volunteer activities near you; share volunteer activities with your friends; see what volunteering your friends are interested; and track volunteer activities you care about. You can sign in with Facebook, Google, and other portals.

NDRC, the National Resources Defense Council provides comprehensive information on green policy issues, news, and ways to take action, and green business resources.

The National Education Association offers a trove of information for those in and seeking careers in education. In this selection, veteran principals offer advice to first year teachers. Principals Offer Advice. NEA is also connected to the national program Read Across America.

The goal of the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative is to prepare experienced leaders to transition from their primary income-earning years to community and public service for their next years of life. The Fellowship is designed to enhance and leverage the skills of already-accomplished leaders for maximum impact on significant social problems, including thsoe that affect health and welfare, children, and the environment.

By John Siceloff and Jason Maloney. Palgrave Macmillan, 2008

By Jeff Goldsmith. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008
According to some grumpy pundits, the aging baby boomer generation promises to be a catastrophic drain on society. This timely book is a welcome rejoinder to those doomsayers. Goldsmith argues that rather than crippling Social Security and Medicare programs, boomers will continue to be active and contributing citizens well past age 65. He follows up with innovative policy ideas and suggestions for boomers interested in direct action, such as starting new charitable organizations or mentoring younger people.
Price: $24.95