I hope that “volunteer” will become a strong and powerful word in the vocabulary of baby boomers. We have the opportunity to give the word new meaning. I have found it useful to encourage people to focus on doing public work as older adults. Many have done their job work and provided for their family; now they want to contribute to the public and build their community.

The Center for Citizenship and Democracy and its co-director Harry Boyte have developed a useful definition of public work. First, it should involve something one feels passionate about; it should allow a person to demonstrate or share his or her talents and expertise. It should also provide the opportunity to learn. Public work should be work that connects a person to a larger issue: for example, the person building a Habitat for Humanity home is involved in creating affordable housing. Finally, public work should connect people to the larger fabric of society; it should be an opportunity to interact with diverse groups of people.

There are some good examples of where people can participate in public work.

Hands on Network

Volunteering for one-time projects is a good first step for many people. These kinds of experiences can help a person explore what their passion might be, as well as protect them from feeling over committed. Giving a school a “make over” or planting trees in a park can be a good introduction to service. Hands On websites throughout the country can direct people to these projects.

Many Hands On organizations are also training volunteers to design their own projects. Baby boomers could serve as an important leadership resource for Hands On. Volunteers could also explore the “citizenship academies” that some Hands On affiliates are hosting. These are opportunities to learn more about the issues facing our communities and their root causes.

Vital Force

Through the Vital Aging Network and the Center for Citizenship and Democracy, pilot Vital Force projects have been developed.

Because of their experience, older adults sometimes are interested in using their problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills in their community work. Building on the Experience Corps model that I helped develop with the Corporation for National Service, Vital Force gives people the opportunity to create their own public work.

Under this model, a person acts as a convener and brings together a small group of eight to fifteen people. They might be recruited on the basis of their neighborhood, their church affiliation, their union, or their employer. They begin with some basic questions: “What is important to us?” What needs to change?” “What would improve our community?” In the process of answering these questions, issues are identified, then research is conducted: Who is addressing this? What needs to happen to make a difference? Who has the power to make change? Who might we work with? Out of this process a project is designed, usually with a six-month to one-year timeline. The project might include direct work/service or advocacy. The plan is implemented and completed. The group evaluates, reflects, and celebrates. The group is now ready to take on the next project.

In St. Anthony, MN, a group of adults chose to work on making recommendations to the city for new and relevant programming for older adults. The project included surveying residents and designing programs.

It is worth noting that Vital Force doesn’t necessarily focus on issues for older adults. In fact, many volunteers express the desire to partner and work cooperatively with young people.

Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC)

IVC was started by Jesuits and has some similarities to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). IVC recruits adults age 50 and older to spend 15 hours a week for 9 months working with organizations that address the issue of poverty. A placement might be working with students at a school or serving at a drop-in center for homeless people.  Two of the features which have made IVC successful and which can be replicated are:

City meetings. Once a month the volunteers gather to share their experiences and learn from one another. This provides an opportunity for social interaction, but it also gives the volunteers the opportunity to support and learn from one another.

Reflection and journaling. Each volunteer is encouraged to keep a journal .They are also assigned a “reflector”, someone trained to assist the volunteer in reflecting on their experience. This process enhances the depth and meaning of the volunteer’s experience.

VISTA, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps

One should keep in mind that AmeriCorps and Peace Corps are open to people 50 and over. The best job someone might ever have could come from one of these government-supported programs.  AmeriCorpS, in particular, should do more to create meaningful and effective placements for older adults.

An Agenda for 2008