How is someone who has run a public company going to explain he’ll take a job as a night watchman? [Read more…] about Highlighting Purpose Prize winner Randal Charlton
Highlighting Purpose Prize winner Jenny Bowen
Have you ever thought about starting fresh with a new career? Maybe it’s time for a complete change? If you’re in the “second half of life,” you may be thinking about taking on work or creating a business to help people or focus on a cause that’s meaningful to you. [Read more…] about Highlighting Purpose Prize winner Jenny Bowen
Thankful for the “strength of the human spirit”
Earlier this month, I attended Civic Ventures’ Purpose Prize awards gala and the day of learning that followed. It seems appropriate on Thanksgiving to share another story of one of the Purpose Prize winners.
I hope these stories of people who might otherwise be retired, but are instead working hard to improve their communities and the world may help many job seekers realize that nothing is impossible. The prize winners I met are dedicated to their causes and to using their skills in a way that makes a broad impact, but in many ways, they are no different from any person who is willing to overcome obstacles and has a passion for a cause.
Civic Ventures, “a think tank on Boomers, work and social purpose” awards these Purpose Prizes that recognize and reward extraordinary efforts. Five people received $100,000 and five receive $50,000. Read my earlier profile of a prize winner Inez Killingsworth HERE.
Dr. Judith B. Van Ginkel won a $100,000 prize for her work with Every Child Succeeds. The program “provides in-home services for first-time, at-risk mothers – including parenting support – to improve the lives of young families.” Upon accepting her award, Dr. Van Ginkel commented on the “strength of the human spirit to go on in spite of hardships.”
(Learn more about Judith and her work here and read about her program, Every Child Succeeds.)
Take a look at the video (below) about Judith from Civic Ventures. (See more videos at Civic Ventures’ site.) I will be sharing stories from winners and other remarkable people I met during the weekend in Philadelphia on my blog in the next few weeks. I hope their stories help inspire you if you are a job seeker to begin to think about how you can use your time and expertise. No matter what your age, there is something out there for you to do that makes good use of your skills.
Maybe you don’t want to start your own non-profit or launch a movement in your community, but there is sure to be some place or organization that needs you. You never know when that something may turn into a paid position.
If you are 45+ with an idea about how to make a difference in your community or in the world, consider applying for Civic Venture’s new Launch Pad award. It provides $5000 and support and mentorship to get your program started. Read more HERE.
Learn more about Judith below:
Are you 45+ with an idea about how to make a difference?
Do you have an idea that will make a difference in your community in the areas of education, social services, environment, health care or helping others engage in encore careers (careers that combine purpose, passion and a paycheck)? If you are at least 45 years old, take note! Civic Ventures (a think tank on boomers, work and social purpose) just announced its new Launch Pad contest, which is designed to discover five inspiring people 45 and over with ideas to improve their communities.
Each winner will receive $5,000 and resources and support from the Encore.org community to put his or her idea into action.
Jim Emerman, executive vice president of Civic Ventures, explained, “The Launch Pad is a new contest to spur people’s thinking about how they can make a difference in an encore career.  We’re looking for five people, 45 and over, with great ideas for transforming their communities.  Each will win $5,000 to get their ideas off the ground.”
He continued, “Experienced adults with the passion and know-how to make a real difference in the lives of others offer a windfall of talent in our communities. The Launch Pad is about tapping their ideas for improving education, health, environment, social services and more.”
Launch Pad contenders from around the country can submit their ideas on how they want to make a difference in their communities at http://launchpad.encore.org/ through December 20.
On January 17, 2011, Civic Ventures will name 25 Launch Pad semifinalists. From January 17 through February 14, people will be invited to vote online for the idea they’d like to see realized.
The announcement of the Launch Pad contest follows last week’s news of the 2010 Purpose Prize winners, 10 people over age 60 who are making extraordinary contributions in their encore careers. The Purpose Prize, an award of up to $100,000, is given annually to individuals who are using their experience and passion to tackle society’s biggest challenges.
For more information on the Launch Pad contest, visit http://launchpad.encore.org/.
Looking for meaningful work?
I’m excited to share an opportunity for those of you looking for an encore career. In case you are not familiar, Civic Ventures, which is “a think tank on boomers, work and social purpose,” defines “encore careers” as jobs that “combine personal meaning, continued income and social impact.” Sometimes, these may be post-retirement careers, although retirement should really be in quotes, since it seems the term has taken on new meaning in today’s economy and because many people are not ready to stop working at a traditional retirement age.
I understand than an encore career can come any time in a person’s work history, not only after a lifetime of working. Are you tired of doing what you are doing? Maybe it is time to think of a new direction, and lucky for you, there is a great resource to help. Here is the information from Civic Venture’s press release:
What: Civic Ventures is partnering with the New York Times Knowledge Network to offer an online seminar for people interested in encore careers. The interactive course will offer practical advice about how to succeed in today’s job market to combine continued income, personal meaning and social impact.
Marci Alboher, careers expert and former New York Times columnist, will be leading the course. According to Alboher, “The idea of encore careers — second acts with social purpose — has started to take hold, but more people are now seeking guidance from experts and others who can teach by example.â€
Topics will include: Will there really be enough jobs for the number of people who want to do meaningful work in their encore years? What kinds of job opportunities exist, and how do you make the leap into a field where you may have no experience or contacts? What should you do if you want to work but don’t have the interest or ability to work full time? How can you deal with age discrimination?
Who: The course will feature advice from experts as well as people who have or are on the path to meaningful encore careers. Speakers will include:
Marc Freedman, author of Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life, founder and CEO of Civic Ventures
 Suzanne Braun Levine, founding editor of Ms. magazine and author of Fifty Is the New Fifty
David Bornstein, author of Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know and founder of Dowser.org
Laura Gassner Otting, president of the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group and author of Change Your Career: Transitioning to the Nonprofit Sector
Lester Strong, CEO of Experience Corps and former television journalist
Stephen Alderman, Purpose Prize winner and co-founder of the Peter C. Alderman Foundation
When: Fridays, October 22 and 29, from 12-1:15 p.m. ET / 9-10:15 a.m. PT.
How: The online seminar costs $95. For more info and to register, click here.
Made possible in part by a generous grant from the New York Life Foundation.
—
If you are looking for a job, you may also want to check out THE CAREER SUMMIT. Tons of career advice, all for a low price of $99 for a short time. Check it out now, before the early bird is over.
The topics include everything from how to think about finding a job you love, to what has changed in search, demystifying the recruiting process, online career management, interviewing and (last but not least) — strategies and tips for your resume, social media profile and job search. Read more HERE or visit the site HERE.
photo from gossamerpromise