Looking for a Few Good Boomers

Are you retired or semi-retired? Do you still want to work but not full time? How about a job that is meaningful, flexible, and surrounded by good people? Can you motivate people to get results? Read on!

How about a 15- hour work week with paid time off? And while good pay is involved, this is not a job intended to pay all of your bills. Think about becoming involved with an organization that has very high standards and is nationally recognized as a leader in many ways.

Who are we? We are a dozen or so paid staff (smart, fun, helpful, hard-working, multi-generational). We are 300 older adults who serve as volunteer tutors and 25 full time AmeriCorps members dedicating a year of service to Boston. We are part of a wonderful national network called Experience Corps. And did I mention the 3400 Boston children and their families who benefit from our many literacy programs? We are Generations Incorporated, Boston's host to Experience Corps.

What's the job? We call it Part-Time Program Manager. You'll oversee operations at two of our service sites (either a school or an after school program).

Our's is a fast-paced learning environment. We work together in mutual respect as a team. And we are looking for 3 good boomers.

Interested? Email Helen Garretson, Director of Programs: hgarretson@generationsinc.org or call her at 617-399-4660. Visit our website to learn more: http://www.generationsinc.org/.

Get Your Feet Wet...With Experience Corps!

It’s not every day that a literacy volunteer takes their teaching to the swimming pool. But that is exactly what Experience Corps volunteer Sheldon Appel did with his student this winter. Eric, a student at the Blackstone Elementary School, was reluctant to go swimming with his class. But when Eric confided in his Reading Coach that he was nervous about the water, Sheldon told him that he would be happy to help teach him how to swim. After obtaining permission from Eric’s parents, teachers, and the school administration, Sheldon arranged their first swim meet. Eric met “Mr. Shelly” at the pool, and Sheldon showed him the basics of kicking, stroke technique, and how to do laps! Now Sheldon says, Eric has made great progress, “I helped him, [and now] he’s swimming.”

I'm continually amazed at the depth of relationships our volunteers build with their students. By spending just a few hours a week reading together, these students are able to relate to these retirees in ways most wouldn't even consider. And visa versa. That's one of the things I love most about GI-- we're learning from each other. Constantly.

Staying Sharp

An interesting free event this weekend in Newton:

Staying Sharp-- current advances in brain research
Saturday, February 10, 2007
10am-noon
Sponsored by AARP/NRTA and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives

Marriot Boston Newton
2345 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02466

What caught my eye were the topics:

• Brain fitness and how to keep sharp
• Memory loss: what's normal and what's not
• Coping with depression and mood disorders
• Successful longevity and the brain

A few very practical concerns we may face as we get older. Hope to see you there!

For more information, please call 1-877-926-8300 or visit the website http://www.aarp.org/health/brain/program/staying_sharp_understanding__maintaining_your_brai.html

Experience Corps Members Travel to Nation's Capital

This coming weekend five of our Experience Corps members will travel to Washington D.C. to participate in the second annual Learning & Leadership Exchange. They will join 20 other Experience Corps members from around the country to discuss and develop leadership activities back in their home cities. While most Experience Corps volunteers are engaged as tutors in elementary schools, there are many other ways for them to lead. Last year's group came back with an extensive plan to reach out to parents and families.

On the eve of their departure, we caught up with a few of our leaders:

Q. Why do you want to participate in this conference?
A. Boston schools need help. I want to learn how to better serve the children I tutor. --Virginia
I hope to learn something I can use in my tutoring. One good idea can increase your effectiveness. It's good to go beyond ourselves-- we may be doing something good, but maybe it could be done better. --Dan

Q. What are you most looking forward to doing while in Washington D.C.?
A. I'm looking forward to spending time with my Boston peers and chatting with Experience corps members from other cities to gain new ideas, new perspectives. --Dan
I want to learn more about childhood education. That's the main reason I applied for this opportunity. --Manny

Q. What do you hope to contribute?
A. I hope to bring the knowledge I've gained from the children here in Boston, to pass that on. --Manny
Experience. --Virginia

I bet they are also looking forward to visiting some of our nation's treasures in DC and having some fun!

Last year's leaders happened upon Sen. John Kerry on the way to the cafeteria! (L-R: Shelia Randolph, Ricki Henderson, John Kerry, Amy Burns, Yvonne Franck, Mary McDonald)