The Voice of Experience
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007
in this issue
MEMBER PROFILE
A Letter from the CEO
The Federal Aviation Administration’s recent proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 60 to 65 may not seem like a big deal to a lot of people. But it struck a special chord for me.

A few weeks ago, as I settled into a long flight, Captain Alan Engelhart got on the intercom to introduce himself. After going over flight details and weather conditions, he introduced the flight crew with genuine affection. He said he’d be spending some time in the cabin with passengers (but, not to worry, his very capable co-pilot would be handling the flight at those times).

Soon after takeoff, a flight attendant announced that this was actually Captain Engelhart’s second-to-last flight. He would be retiring the following week, she said, after many years with the airline.

A few minutes later, Captain Engelhart emerged from the cockpit and began working his way through the cabin, shaking hands and talking. He met each passenger with enthusiasm, helped people get backpacks out of overhead compartments, chatted about books, gave vacation and restaurant recommendations, and even worked with the flight attendants to distribute drinks and snacks.

I listened to the Captain’s conversations as he neared my seat. Many people congratulated him on his upcoming retirement, but to each he responded with the same words: "I wish I didn’t have to retire." He said he loves flying as much as ever, he loves the people he works with, and he wants to continue putting his skills to good use. But, he said, an old rule – mandatory retirement for pilots at age 60 - stood in his way.

As the Captain left the cabin and returned to the controls, the flight’s 450 passengers erupted in a spontaneous and warm round of applause. It’s rare to have the chance to observe someone at the top of his game...and so strange to think that this guy is being forced to leave the job he loves.

It got me thinking about how much society and employers need to change the attitudes and approach to aging workers – otherwise, we will put far too much talent and passion on the sidelines. And then, right on cue, the FAA decided to change the rule. Unfortunately, it’s not likely to be in time for Captain Engelhart to keep flying the boomer-friendly skies.

Safe travels,

John S. Gomperts
jgomperts@experiencecorps.org

P.S. It’s high time we retired our stereotypes about age and technology, too. My colleague Mary Gunn, who runs Experience Corps in Boston, recently started her own blog on the topic of intergenerational learning. We always knew Mary was cool, and now we have proof – check out her blog, LinkAges Online.

Two New Reports Highlight Potential for Experience on the Job...

...in Afterschool Programs
Afterschool programs have shown tremendous growth in recent years and will continue to grow, providing students around the country with valuable academic and enrichment opportunities, while creating significant staffing challenges. A new report suggests that adults over 55 – expected to double in number and top 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2030 – present "a rich human resource pool" to meet the afterschool workforce need. The report, commissioned by Experience Corps and conducted by Policy Studies Associates with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, examines national data on staffing and program trends in the afterschool field. Researchers also interviewed leaders of high-quality afterschool programs and held focus groups with older adults. Read more »

...in Critical Government Roles
Are You Experienced? How Boomers Can Help Our Government Meet Its Talent Needs
In the next five years, almost half of all federal employees will be eligible for retirement, including 70 percent of senior managers. A new Civic Ventures policy paper, "Are You Experienced? How Boomers Can Help Our Government Meet Its Talent Needs," funded by the UPS Foundation, proposes an innovative solution to this impending problem: Government agencies should start looking to capitalize on the experience of boomers leaving midlife careers in other sectors of the workforce. If they do, writes Partnership for Public Service CEO Max Stier, "it would be a win-win – for older Americans, who would find meaningful opportunities to use their talents and experience, and for the federal government, which would gain highly skilled talent to help solve our nation's most pressing problems." Read more »

Experience Corps Expands to New Haven

A new Experience Corps project in New Haven, Connecticut, is off to a promising start, placing trained teams in two schools that are more than welcoming, landing local news coverage, and even starting a waiting list for those who want to become tutors. Hosted jointly by three local organizations – the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, the United Way of Greater New Haven, and Hamden Public Schools – the project is Experience Corps’s 20th. Read more »

New Report Shows Big Rise in Volunteer Service

Volunteer Growth in America: A Review of Trends Since 1974
Volunteer service has reached a 30-year high in the United States, according to a new study from the Corporation for National and Community Service. The report, Volunteer Growth in America: A Review of Trends Since 1974, notes that boomers are "volunteering at sharply higher rates than did the previous generation at mid-life," and that those over 65 have increased their volunteer rate by 64 percent since 1974. Also of note: The number of people volunteering with education or youth service organizations is growing fast – up 63 percent since 1989. Read more »

Cookbook Sales to Benefit Experience Corps

A 100-page cookbook prepared by the chefs of Erickson-developed community - donated the proceeds to Experience Corps
A national corporation that builds and runs retirement communities has published a cookbook full of recipes from its chefs – and donated the proceeds to Experience Corps. Erickson Retirement Communities operates in eight states, housing 18,000 people. "We can’t think of a better organization to receive the proceeds," said Deborah Dasch, who developed the cookbook and also serves as editor of The Erickson Tribune. "Experience Corps is a shining example of the impact that older volunteers make every day and we’d like to help them expand the depth and breadth of their program." Read more »

Monster.com Founder Launches Search Engine for Boomers

cRANKy - The first age-relevant search engine
Ever get cranky when a search engine provides 783,492 results? Take a look at Cranky.com – billed as the "first age-relevant search engine." It’s the brainchild of Jeff Taylor, founder of monster.com and now Eons, a media company for those 50-plus. Cranky.com says it delivers "the most targeted search results by applying a 50-plus lens to every query," utilizing expert reviews and a user ratings system to offer the most useful search results. Read more »

Know Anyone Who Would Make a Great School Principal?

New Leaders for New Schools is looking for "current or former educators who have a relentless drive, an unyielding belief in the potential of all children to achieve at high academic levels, instructional expertise in a K-12 classroom, a record of success in leading adults, and the capacity to define a vision, build teams to get results, and achieve despite tremendous obstacles." Those selected receive training, a year-long residency in an urban public school, and three years of ongoing coaching from successful veteran principals. The deadline for nominations is March 1, 2007. Read more »

Experience Corps in the News

About Experience Corps

Experience Corps, an award-winning program, engages people over 55 in meeting society's greatest challenges. Today, in 23 cities across the country, 2,000 Experience Corps members tutor and mentor elementary school students struggling to learn to read. Independent research shows that Experience Corps boosts student academic performance, helps schools and youth-serving organizations become more successful, and enhances the well-being of the older adults in the process. Experience Corps is a signature program of Civic Ventures.

Learn more about Experience Corps in these cities: Annapolis, MD, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, MD, Beaumont, TX, Boston, MA, Cleveland, Evansville, IN, Grand Rapids, Greater New Haven, Marin County, Mesa, Minneapolis, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia, Port Arthur, TX, Portland, OR, Revere, MA, San Francisco, St. Paul, Tempe, Tucson, AZ, Washington, DC.

Questions or comments? Send an email to info@experiencecorps.org

Experience Corps is a signature program of Civic Ventures.
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