The Voice of Experience
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008
in this issue
MEMBER PROFILE
still among friends

Bill Wolff, retired marketing specialist, Boston

I joined Experience Corps because: I wanted to stay active after 40-plus years of "normal" employment. I also wanted to do something that would provide long-term value in my own neighborhood.

The best part of tutoring is: giving positive reinforcement and direction to kids. They respond so enthusiastically to the help and the attention we are able to provide.

I like to tell the story about: feedback from the mother of a second grader. At a gathering to celebrate the kids' reading success she said her son described me as one of his friends, not just a teacher.

I'm sticking with Experience Corps because: after three years, I have kids come up to me just to say hi and tell me about what's going on in their lives and what they're reading. I've also developed new friendships with other Experience Corps members, which further enhances its importance in my life.

A Letter from the CEO
I grew up in California, immersed in politics. My dad ran for Congress in 1970 when I was 14. He lost, but I gained a great appreciation for politics, issues, and the power of engaged citizens to change lives. Thirty–years later, I live in Washington (no surprise), trying to do my bit in service and the public interest.

Needless to say, I´m always delighted when politics, service, and California come together. A few recent headlines about prominent Californians who are leading the way:

  • San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom joined the ranks of political leaders who recognize the value of experience in the classroom and called for the expansion of Experience Corps. "I believe we should harness the knowledge and experience of the coming influx of baby boom retirees to mentor San Francisco´s next generation. That´s why I will expand successful programs, such as Experience Corps," Newsom said recently in his second inaugural address. Please see the article below.

  • A few months ago, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger launched a program called the EnCorps Teachers Program to help experienced employees transition to jobs as public school math and science teachers. Plus, the state recently released a report, California´s Aging Opportunity: Building a Legacy of Good Works by Older Californians, which examines the significant gap between the large number of older adults who indicate an interest in service and the number of those who are actually serving. And, the Governor and First Lady Maria Shriver are expected to announce a major service initiative next week.

  • Finally, U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos, who represents the Congressional district my Dad ran in those many years ago, announced that illness will prevent him from running for another term. That´s a big loss. Lantos survived the Holocaust, became an economics professor, and was elected to Congress in 1980, where he´s served with distinction ever since. Of special interest, Rep. Lantos was one of the first national leaders to stand up for public funding for Experience Corps. "To see a bit of federal help enable these wonderful people to give freely and joyfully and with love of their talent and attention and knowledge and experience to these kids is truly heartwarming," he said. We can´t thank Rep. Lantos enough, and we wish him the best.

People often say (and I like to think) that as California goes, so goes the nation. Is it true? When it comes to great political leaders and a commitment to older adults and public service, I certainly hope so!

Warm best wishes,
John S. Gomperts
jgomperts@experiencecorps.org

Mayor Calls for Experience Corps Expansion

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom applauded the success of Experience Corps and called for its expansion in his second inaugural address. "We should harness the knowledge and experience of the coming influx of baby boom retirees," he said. "I will expand successful programs, such as Experience Corps, to encourage retired San Franciscans to mentor and tutor our public school students." Read more »

Leading with Experience: Tool Kits available Free

Leading with Experience: Engaging Older Adults as Community Leaders provides lessons from Experience Corps leadership training institutes and extensive materials to help other organizations develop older adult leadership trainings. Single copies are now available free of charge. Contact Latia Bowles to request one.

Emotional Skills = Academic Achievement

An upcoming analysis of 207 studies of school-based programs that aim to develop children´s social and emotional skills shows that taking time to help children manage relationships and emotions could improve their academic achievement. Read more »

Social Capitalist Award, Year Two

Fast Company magazine honored Civic Ventures, parent organization of Experience Corps, with its second Social Capitalist Award. The magazine called Experience Corps an "on-the-ground program [that meets] critical needs in communities." Awardees are rated on their social impact, entrepreneurship, innovation, growth, and sustainability. Read more »

Trading Community Service for Tax Breaks

There´s a new trend in tax collection: local programs that let older adults work part-time to help pay off their property tax bills. Read more »

Twice Honored in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution recently honoring Experience Corps for 10 years of service in the city´s public schools, citing Experience Corps members´ stellar work helping children learn to read and their ability to "bring the strength of the community into the schools."
Read more »

A month earlier, President Bush stepped off of Air Force One and presented the President´s Volunteer Service Award to Experience Corps member Howard Gilpin at the Philadelphia airport. "Next to the day I got married and the day my daughter was born, this was the highest day of my life," Gilpin said.
Read more »

Urban Institute Studies Boomers, Volunteering

The Urban Institute´s Retirement Project recently issued three research briefs on boomers and volunteering.

Purpose Prize Deadline Approaching

The Purpose Prize provides five $100,000 awards and ten $10,000 awards to people over 60 coming up with creative new ways to solve serious social problems, both at home and abroad. Nominate yourself or your favorite social innovator by March 1. 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.
2120 L St., NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20037
Copyright © 2008 Civic Ventures. All rights reserved.

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