Regeneration: Recruiting Older Americans to Serve the Public Good Latest updates: States Seek to Tap Into Growing Resource: Older Volunteers A growing number of states are making an effort to harness the energies of their older residents for work, volunteering, or civic action. Nonprofit Groups Seek to Win Federal Support for Older Volunteers Efforts to win federal support for programs that encourage volunteerism among retirees have thus far not taken off, despite hard work by some advocates for nonprofit groups. Looking at Nonprofit Work in a New Way Grounded by illness, a former nonprofit leader and fund raiser took up lexicography, creating a "civic dictionary" that documents the concepts of philanthropy and service (My Journey). Resources to Help Older People Get Involved in Civic Activities Dozens of articles, books, Web sites, organizations, and other information helpful to people getting involved in nonprofit work and organizations that want to do a better job of enlisting older people as employees and volunteers. From previous issues: Leaving the Business World How a former public-relations official put her passion for nature to work for good causes. Challenge the Boomers Let's ask one million boomers to each devote 10 years to solving the nation's problems. Charities Miss Opportunities to Recruit Older Americans The millions of older Americans who do not work are a rich resource that nonprofit groups should tap to fill personnel and volunteer needs, says a report from the Urban Institute. This year's recipients of the Purpose Prize, which honors innovative social-action projects by older Americans, include a doctor working to improve hospital safety and a nurse who provides care to poor newborns. Winning the purpose prize has helped several struggling charities grow quickly, but that has presented a new set of challenges. Leaving the grind of 26 years as a charity executive, one baby boomer took time away for reflection and turned to trusted friends for advice about his next step. Putting Meaning Into Work Helping baby boomers change the course of their work lives is the mission of a fledgling Minneapolis charity that has tapped into a growing trend. Real Work Gives Real Meaning to an Unpaid Charity Job Charities might better tap the skills of older volunteers by treating them like real employees with real work, says one retired lawyer who has tried such an arrangement and loves it. The Innovation of Age Persuading churches to go green and incubating Hispanic businesses in Atlanta are among efforts initiated by the 15 finalists for the Purpose Prize, which honors the social innovations of older Americans. Later Life Is Ripe for Reinvention, Nonprofit Leader Asserts in New Book A crusader for the move to reinvent retirement has a new book out arguing for support of older people who wish to embark on "encore" careers. Plus: Read an excerpt from "Encore," the new book about the transition from the golden years to encore careers. Nonprofit Groups Lag in Recruiting Older Workers, Report Says Nonprofit groups have a poor track record in tapping older workers for jobs, says a report from the Conference Board. Putting Older Americans to Work for Good Causes: Award Winners Snapshots of some of the award winners: Older Workers Are a Growing Force in Managing Cleveland's Public Parks Making a Second Career Out of Helping Others Find Second Careers In Need of Help, Medical Center Offers Flexible Hours to Woo Older Workers Older People Provide Aid to Nursing-Home Residents Volunteering Leads to Longer and Healthier Life, Report Finds People who volunteer, especially older people, live longer and recover from illness faster than those who don't give their time to charity, says a report from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Baby Boomers Seek a Purposeful Direction in Later Life, Study Finds Baby boomers -- those in Colorado at least -- hope to use their impending retirement for purposeful activity, according to a survey of Denver-area residents age 55 to 65. Charity Work Isn't the Solution for All Older Americans The push to get older Americans engaged in charity work has some downsides that are too often ignored, write Meredith Minkler and Marty Martinson. Boomer Volunteers Often Give Up Duties, Study Finds Baby-boomer volunteers, though more numerous than those of earlier generations, tend not to continue their volunteer commitments for long, a new study shows. Government Incentives Could Increase Volunteering, Experts Say Charities need to lobby harder for government incentives that would encourage the use of older Americans as volunteers, several speakers. A Charity's Mature Vision: A social-service group tailors its appeal to older employees. Turning the 'Me Generation' Into the 'We Generation' An interview with the head of the AARP on his new book. How Will We Reach the 'Tipping Point' in a New Movement for Older Americans? Clint Wilkins, a retired headmaster, updates readers on his quest to engage older people in good works. Topic of Aging Gets New Look With the Support of Foundations A PBS series seeks to portray aging in a positive way, while a movie executive focuses attention on a program to put retired people to work in the public schools. Make Room for Boomers: Charities look to engage a generation about to turn 60: a special report. 'Seasoned Warriors' Urged to Use Their Skills to Benefit Society If 60 is the new 40, then working for the public good is the new retirement, say experts. Building Charities for a New Age Five $100,000 prizes awarded to older people who find innovative ways to help society. A Nonprofit Leader Builds His Encore Career A look at how a former headmaster is approaching his first year of retirement. To submit a story idea or a first-person article for our series on the growing movement to recruit older Americans to work or volunteer for good causes, please send a message to regeneration@philanthropy.com