Today is a new day and a new economy, where Boomers are increasingly wanting to get out on their own.   Just last week Encore Tampa Bay and my good friend Chris Farrell (author of “Purpose and Paycheck”) were in the Tampa Bay Times talking about this upsurge of entrepreneurs. I want to go one step further for those of you who have not taken that first step in exploring what it would be like to take this new path.   After working and meeting with over 2000 older adults over the last 7 years, I have seen the spark or desire in so many of you…but something might be holding you back. I am here to provide some tips and resources that may spark that first step.

TIPS IN GETTING STARTED:

• ASSESS: Take a good look at your skills, career, your accomplishments, and your current interests. What of these skills and interests can you use as a business owner or entrepreneur? Here is a great article that zeroes in on the three critical steps to getting started.
• WHAT DO I NEED TO LEARN? A critical first step is to explore and inquire from other entrepreneurs, what are the most important skills and knowledge needed. Be open and ready to learn!
• RISKS AND PAYOFFS: Along with everything else in life, there are ups and downs, pros and cons. Be ready to put the time in and to multi task get your business started. Assess your financial situation and know the financial realities of paying your own taxes and insurance. The payoffs are huge: a chance to embark on something that excites you, to be your own boss, to follow your dream and have the freedom and flexibility of work.
• YOUR TRIBE: Surround yourself with people who embrace your new adventure such as friends, family, other business owners, and mentors. (Avoid the naysayers). From my own experience – I created a dream team that truly empowered me and helped me all along the way!

PATHWAYS AND OPTIONS FOR BEING YOUR OWN BOSS:

• ENTREPRENEURS: Building your own business – a product or service . Another option is to take on a role within another person’s startup such as: Angel investor, supportive co-founder, member of an advisory board etc.
• FRANCHISING:  Franchising does offer a different way to be your own boss and learn how to build a business. Chris Farrell outlines an overview and the pros and cons for operating a franchise in his article:
• FREELANCING/ CONSULTING: Freelancing is a perfect transition into retirement because it offers freedom and flexibly, while tapping into your existing skills and knowledge.   More than 49% of current freelancers are over 50 years old.   This article lays out some of the reasons why older adults are suited to this profession.

Older adults are paving way for a new kind of economy and retirement paradigm. I can tell you from personal experience that being your own boss can be the most rewarding, exciting step that you can take. At the same time it is the hardest most challenging work that I have ever done! (It sounds like parenting!) What are you waiting for? You don’t have to do this alone- Encore Tampa Bay and many other local resources can help you face those fears and give you the tools you need to launch!

TAKING THE FIRST STEP:

• LOCAL RESOURCES: The Tampa Bay area has some great resources that can help you in taking this first step. In St. Petersburg there is the Greenhouse which houses over 25 different partner organizations that offer great advice , workshops , tools and mentors . One great opportunity coming up next week is the Entrepreneur Academy (at the Greenhouse). Classes start March 18. https://stpetegreenhouse.com/EA  In Tampa there is another great resource, the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center which also works with some great organizations that help you get started.
• GET INSPIRED: One of the best ways of understanding what it takes to leave your corporate job for entrepreneurship is to listen to inspiring podcasts such as Second Acts Stories with Andy Levine. http://www.secondactstories.org   I continue to be so inspired to hear all these very different stories. CALL to ACTION- Andy Levine is looking for some great SecondAct stories in the Tampa Bay area. Please contact me if you would like to be considered for one of his podcasts! Your story could help inspire others who are sitting on the couch afraid to make the first step!!
  • PURPOSE AND PAYCHECK : Chris Farrell’s new book is a perfect way to learn about starting out on your own!! Check it out here.
• UPCOMING ENCORE ENGAGE EVENT-  Find your “Tribe” … “Are you Ready to be a Boomer Entrepreneur” March 26^th. For more information and to register, click the link for more information. Space is limited and tickets are free, but a small $5.00 donation would be appreciated to help Encore Engage continue to offer great events.

As we come to the close of 2018, it is a great time to step back and review our accomplishments for this year.  We are beginning our 6^th year and we continue to focus on three overall strategies:

• CREATING PATHWAYS TO PURPOSE
• ELEVATING THE ENCORE IDEA
• CONNECTING OLDER ADULTS TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY

This year has been a year of taking our mission and overall strategies to a whole new level with ground breaking new models and a larger reach!

Project in Sun City Center (see earlier newsletters that provide an overview of the grant.)

The grant’s major focus was to revitalize civic engagement in Sun City Center (with over 20,000 adults 55 and over) and to mobilize older adults to improve the lives of children in South Hillsborough County. In June we launched “Sun City Center Connects” as a grass roots campaign with more than 45 residents (including the  major leaders of the Community),  ready to jump in to build and execute the following goals :

• Inspire residents to get involved, connected and engaged in their community continuing the long-held culture of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor”.
  • Secured a regular monthly article dedicated to our campaign goals.
  • Secured a regular monthly local radio show- featuring heartwarming volunteer stories and opportunities to get involved.
  • Established regular Sun City Center Connects meetings to continue to strengthen and innovate ways to accomplish our goal. (including logo and message playbook)
• Connect Residents to the many opportunities to get active and involved.
  • Created a new Sun City Center Connects Website page on SCC website.
  • Participated in over 7 other major local events to recruit older adults.
• Work with three critical volunteer driven groups that provide critical services to SCC residents.
  • Strengthened capacity and provided tools for these groups to more effectively recruit and engage volunteers for their organizations- new language, revised marketing materials and new strategies to increase presence and value to the community.

Many thanks to our funder, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay (South Shore Council) and our wonderful partner for this grant, Seniors in Service (Tammy Criollo and Robin Ingles) that helped to make this all become a reality!

Generation to Generation Tampa Bay

We continue to be one of 15 local community innovation sites for the National Generation to Generation Campaign (led by Encore.org).
We worked directly with five Youth Serving Organizations that provide after school programs and mentors in the South Hillsborough County area (Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Hope Fund, PCAT- Wimauma, PCAT-Ruskin)

• Hosted 4 recruiting events in the Sun City Center area, which included three “Movies and Mentors Watch Parties”, and a back to school recruiting luncheon.
• Engaged with more than 85 older adults ready to learn more and connect with these youth serving organizations.
• Provided recruiting tools and tips that were developed by National Gen2Gen.

Connecting Encore Talent to the Community

• We continue to offer Encore Opportunity job and volunteer postings on our website.  There have been many postings for volunteer, board member and paid opportunities!
• We hosted another extremely successful Non-Profit Showcase Event with over 90 older adults and 40 non profits eager to engage with their prospective volunteers or employees!

Encore Engage
In May we launched a new initiative “Encore Engage” which provides our target audience (mid life adults) an opportunity to socially connect and network with like-minded individuals that are also making the transition into this next chapter of life!

• We held three Encore Engage events at The Imagine Museum, The James Museum and Tampa’s Powerstories Theater!
• Established a strong steering committee that will be planning new opportunities to ENGAGE in 2019!!

Elevating the Encore Idea

• We continue to provide a robust website, blogs, newsletter and social media efforts, along with community presentations and media appearances.  (We have a new array of topics for community presentations!- Please contact Bevan if you would like to have us present to your group!)

Expanding our reach:

• BayCare- ENCORE Employee Retirement Transition Pilot program.  In April and September kicked off a pilot workshop for BayCare Employees approaching retirement.
• Age Friendly Communities- St. Petersburg. –  participated with AARP and local leaders on achieving the Age Friendly Designation.
• Florida Civic Advance- Intergenerational Civic Engagement (one of 8 Civic Practice Areas)  – Participated with a group of state wide leaders to identify and bolster Intergenerational efforts across the state.
• National Encore Network– Worked with 8 national Encore leaders to create a Nationwide Membership Network that connects Encore leaders who are focused on building the encore movement in their local communities.   In the last year the Network has grown to 125 members across the country and 13 international locations!

All of these efforts would not be possible without the amazing partners and individuals who are helping us to continue to build an encore community in Tampa Bay.  I am excited about what the future holds- including some new groundbreaking efforts!!  (stay tuned)

We wish all of you a very happy holiday season!!
Bevan

What would you give to have better health, more focus, new social connections and a distinct purpose for your life?   What if you could change the trajectory of a child’s life?  Taking on a youth-serving volunteer role may be the best solution for all of the above!

The many benefits of volunteering

According to AARP, volunteers experience long-term health benefits, such as decreased anxiety, depression, isolation and enhanced physical capacity.   Recent research has also found that volunteering can improved your cognitive functions and decrease the rate of Alzheimer’s by learning new things, developing new skills, solving problems and tapping into your memory!!   Not to mention- volunteering is an excellent starter to finding a job in a non-profit!

Why it matters

Let’s turn the table. We can acknowledge that volunteering can be good for us- but there is the other side- the tremendous economic and academic gaps in our community and the challenges that our children face every day.   Did you know that school readiness in low income areas of Tampa Bay is only 50-60% and that the overall graduation rate is approximately 80%?   Parents are struggling with making ends meet and working two jobs.  Teachers are stretched thin and afterschool programs are in desperate need of homework helpers.  There is a long line of children waiting to be matched to mentors.  Check out this great article that talks about the benefits and tremendous impact that mentors provide.

The time is now

As the summer winds down and the school year gets into high gear, it’s now a good time to take stock of how you want to spend your time and make a difference in another person’s life.   There are hundreds of opportunities for older adults to play a role in the lives of children in our community, from reading a story to a child, to being a mentor, to being a homework helper or volunteer in an after-school program.   From ages 2-21, every child can benefit from a non-parental/teacher role to help fill the gaps and help them achieve academic and life success.

Our mental roadblocks.

I can imagine the self-talk already creating road blocks to taking that first step:

• “I don’t have any extra time to volunteer” (You can volunteer as little as 4 hours a month)
• “I don’t know what kind of role or volunteer job I want to take” (it is perfectly fine to call a non profit and talk to someone about the volunteer roles – you are welcome to ask questions before you sign up for anything)
• “I don’t know where to start looking for an opportunity to serve” (see below)

Be inspired!

I am part of a national movement and an action-oriented community of people who believe that the goal in later life isn’t trying to be young; it’s to be there for those who are.  Go to www.generationtogeneration.org to get inspired and see all the many communities and partners that are mobilizing older adults in their communities to improve the lives of children and bring multiple generations together.

Take the first step

All it takes is that first step… once you see a child’s eyes light up when you walk into a room you will know you made the right decision.   For some of you,  your grandchildren are hundreds of miles away- so this is your chance to be pseudo grandparent to someone else!

Where do I begin?

• • www.volunteermatch.com  (you enter your zip code and many local youth serving organizations have posted their volunteer opportunities.
  • Call Seniors in Service/ RSVP – and talk to Sarah who will give you a great list of options for working with kids!!- 727-490-8208
  • AARP- Create the Good  (enter your zip code and interest)
  • Other organizations offer a wide range of volunteer roles – from 4 hours a month to 5 hours a week:
  •  Big Brothers, Big Sisters
  • Boys and Girls Club
  •  R Club
  • Metropolitan Ministries
  • Pinellas or Hillsborough Education Foundation (Take Stock in Children):  Reading Pals
  • Champions for Children.

You may already know of a local group or non-profit that is looking for adults in youth serving roles.   So, what are you waiting for?  Schools and after- school programs are busy trying to fill those volunteer roles.    Give them a call or go online.   This first step could actually jump start your ENCORE!!!

“Aging- Its not about the fountain of youth, its about the fountain WITH youth.” Marc Freedman (founder of Encore movement)

 Bevan Rogel

Encore Tampa Bay

Last week I had the opportunity to speak at the Florida Chamber Foundations’ “Learners to Earners Workforce summit” where top Florida educators and business leaders gathered together to work on the Education Revolution for the State of Florida. 

The Chamber Foundation just released their 2030 plan with a giant focus on addressing the educational GAPS of Florida’s children from birth to career.   A wide range of presentations and panels highlighted the urgent need for all sectors of the community to join this education revolution.  It is time for “all hands on deck”!  One key point I learned was the fact that early childhood learning is where we must begin – otherwise kids are playing catch-up until their first job!   Did you know that 90% of the human brain is developed by age 5, and yet we do not spend enough money, time or programs to develop that brain until first grade!  

My words to this audience were loud and clear. One of your most valuable assets is the army of over 7 ½ million Florida adults over 50 who have the time, talent and willingness to fill the gaps as mentors, readers and volunteers.  Several people came up to me after my speech thanking me for the reminder that this segment of the population can play a different role in helping them tackle this cradle to career effort.

Why are we overlooking this opportunity?   I recently read several articles and research reports that have identified a key factor.   As a society, there exist generational silos and age segregated communities where it has become increasingly difficult to foster intergenerational relationships.   (“out of sight out of mind” as the old saying goes…)

One of my colleagues, the Director of Learning for the Generation to Generation campaign recently wrote an article (“Looking Through an Opportunity Lens”) where she shared the story of a group of her millennial and GenX friends, who were not able or open to see the unique gifts and talents of her 90 year old grandfather.   This is another example of how limited our younger generations’ exposure to older adults is (other than their own grandparents). 

Generations United and the Michael Eisner Foundation have just released a research report “All in together”- Creating Places where young and old can thrive”.   The Report shares incredible stories and results of what happens when we break down the barriers of age segregation and forge life changing intergenerational bonds.   The impact is far reaching not only with very young children, but with elementary kids, high school students or college students eager to achieve educational and life success.  By forging these intergenerational bonds we are not only tackling the “Education Revolution” but also the challenges of isolation, loneliness and loss of purpose/identity suffered by older adults.  Encore. Org (Generation to Generation), Generations United and the Eisner Foundation are ready to shift the paradigm of how we can strengthen ALL ages by thinking differently in how we set up our educational programs and social/ government agencies to include all generations. Encore.org’s founder, Marc Freedman was also in the news this week with his article on Age Segregation in the Harvard Business Review.   

For the remaining part of this year- we will be looking for success stories of “shared sites” where different organizations or different generations are actually supporting each other!  A WIN-WIN- WIN!!  This is not just about mobilizing older adults to improve the lives of children but how can we be totally creative and bring different generations together to benefit each other!!

Please contact me if you or your organization or group of friends are bringing generations together!!    
Encoretampabay@ gmail.com