Inspiring Opportunities is a weekly email from Coming of Age for people 50+ who are making a difference in the world, in their communities and in their lives.

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What's New
Have We Got a Volunteer Opportunity for You!
Inspiring Stories
This Week

 
See the World as a Volun-Tourist ?
Coming of Age partner United Way and CheapTickets have recently launched a new web site to make finding volunteer vacations easier. Read about the growing trend here. View the new website here.


The New Sexual Revolution
With our Boomervision!^® forum on "Love and Sex in the Time of Boomers" coming up (March 27), we thought we'd help prepare you with some links on the topic:
• Sexual Healing: Coming of Age partner AARP suggests a cure for the empty-nest blues.
• Sex and Love in the New World: The recent cover story from Newsweek about sex and dating after 50
• Carnal Knowledge: A fun trivia quiz to test your Boomer/Sex IQ.
• Sex and the Seasoned Woman: Pursuing the Passionate Life: Gail Sheehy, best known as the author of Passages, takes the pulse of the Baby Boom’s libido
• For books on this topic click here.


Redefining Old Age
• What age do you expect to live to?
• What age do you want to live to?
• At what age does "old age" start?
Answer these questions in our 20-second survey. After submitting your answers, you will be taken to an article that tells how 1100 Boomers responded to these same questions. (We will publish the results of our survey next week.)


The Volunteer Gap
Last week we told you about a study that found that more people are willing to volunteer than actually do. We asked if you had any ideas about why this gap exists. Here are some responses.


Boomer Wake-up Call
The Inquirer's Michael Vitez sums up this year's National Conference on Aging.


What's Hot: Microfinancing
Since Muhammad Yunus won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in this field, there's been lots of buzz on mini-loans as a remedy for poverty. This article provides an excellent overview and shows how you can help struggling entrepreneurs in developing countries.


LEAP: What will we do with the rest of our lives?
Thirty years ago, Sara Davidson wrote Loose Change, a best-seller about the boomer’s coming of age. Now, she's written LEAP!, a book examining how people in their 50s and 60s are coming of age once again and finding new purpose as they hit retirement age. Here's where you can buy the book. And here's a link to a discussion guide from Coming of Age partner AARP.



  If you know of a volunteer opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area that you would like featured here, email details to havewegot@comingofage.org. You can also find one-time volunteer opportunities below under “This Week.”

Watch Frogs
Participate in Frogwatch USA, the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) survey of frog and toad diversity. There's a training session on March 24th at the Schuylkill Center in Roxborough.


Love Boats?
Join the Coast Guard Auxiliary, an organization of volunteers who attend trainings and classes and assist the Coast Guard in a variety of tasks. See this site or email Clark Edwards for more information.


Be a PBSer
Coming of Age partner WHYY needs volunteers for general office work, guest registration at special events and answerering phones at membership drives. Opportunities are always available. Contact Sandra Chatfield at (215) 351-1261 or for more information.


Be a SAGE
Since 1999, Senior Adults for Greater Education (SAGE) has placed over 300 volunteers who work directly with students in the classroom in the Council Rock District. Contact Beryl Katz at (215) 357-2332.


This Week's Featured VISTA Opportunity:
Spend a year in Maine improving the lives of older adults. Activities include: designing, implementing and evaluating programs; managing and recruiting volunteers; leading community outreach initiatives; and more. Read more about this opportunity


 

Building Hope in Iraq
He's serving in the military in Baghdad. She's in Bucks County. And together this husband and wife are raising thousands of dollars for the poor and needy in Iraq. Read more


Creating Communities for All Ages
Nancy Henkin has been awarded a prestigious Ashoka Fellowship for her work improving the quality of life for entire communities by helping diverse age groups support each other. Nancy is a cofounder of Coming of Age and the Executive Director of the Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning.


Talk About Living Your Dreams!
It's never too late to catch up with your dreams, especially if you don't care what others think. If you don't believe us, just watch a short news clip about a cheerleading squad where the youngest member is 59.


  We list events and opportunities here we think will interest people 50+ who want to make a difference. If you know of such events, please send us information. If you attended an event you learned about here, please send us a review.



The Real Hero of the Hotel Rwanda
5:45pm in Center City
Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda," speaks about his experiences in Rwanda during and after the genocide.



Climate Crisis Action Day in Washington
Politicians, celebrities, and people who want to make a difference are heading to Washington to "Cool the Planet." Make new friends and head down by bus from Newtown or Philadelphia.



Power Lunch
11:45am in Center City
"Access and insight into the powers that shape our city." Dine atop Two Liberty place with city business leaders and Janice Woodcock, executive director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.

The Link Between Global and Local Poverty
3:30pm at the University of Pennsylvania
Focusing on West Philadelphia’s immigrant communities, this forum will explore how civic organizations are addressing human rights and economic development at the local and international levels.



The International Judicial Responses to Violence
All Day at the University of Pennsylvania
Sponsored by Penn Law, this free public event will explore the subject of violence and international law, with keynote speaker Juan Mendez, United Nations Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide.

Lifting their Burden
4pm near the Art Museum
Participants will carry five gallon pails partially filled with water as they walk around the Philadelphia Museum of Art to demonstrate the difficulty of obtaining potable water in many parts of the world.



Wharton Social Impact Conference
All Day at the University of Pennsylvania
This conference will reveal the global impact of socially-responsible businesses through case studies and interactive panel discussions.

Activism and Grassroots
6:30pm in Center City
A dialogue on the impact and implications of activist culture on grassroots voices, work, and building a social movement.

Hearts and Minds Film Festival
Through March 25th in Dover, DE
Samuel Goldwyn said that "pictures are for entertainment, messages should be delivered by Western Union.” Fortunately, these filmmakers paid him no heed. The Hearts and Mind Film Festival in Dover is dedicated to films that make a difference.



Walk for Water
12pm in Center City
The purpose of this event is to draw attention to the world water crisis. It was inspired by women in water-stressed countries who often walk six miles each day just to get water for their family. Walk for Water is happening in 19 cities across the US.

SustainaBALL
7pm in Mt. Airy
The annual social gathering for the green community. Great local food from Cosmic Catering and live local music by Jim Fogarty to celebrate spring in style!

MORE ON THE SPRING 2007 BOOMERVISION!^® SERIES


Atlanta-based Morehouse professor and advocate for ending the silence around issues of sexuality and disability, Dr. Mitch Tepper joins the panel for the March 27 Boomervision!^® session, The New Sexual Revolution -- Love and Sex in the Time of the Boomers.
Learn More.




SPONSOR:


VISTA is looking for experienced, energetic individuals who want to make a full-time, year long commitment to fight poverty. If you’re retiring soon, already there, or want to take a year off for a year of service, VISTA may be for you. Living allowances and other benefits are provided. More About VISTA