The Encore Network is all about supporting your work and learning goals. Our annual member survey provides direction for our activities and tells us what you value most. Headlines from your feedback:
Network benefits. We’re creating community among members! The most-cited benefit was “feeling that I’m part of the encore movement,” closely followed by “connections with Network members.” Next most-cited: “connections with Encore.org” and “resources I can use rather than reinvent.”
You said, ““The Network has value,” “keep up the good work,” and “I’m so excited to be part of this group!”
Action step for members: Check out our searchable member directory to see who’s in your area, and meet other members doing similar work.
Learning priorities. As in previous years, “trends shaping our work” was the #1 learning priority by a wide margin. “News from other encore programs” and “encore messaging and language” tied for second. One member suggested “more programs highlighting local initiatives and their variations adapted to local opportunities.”
Action step: Register for our fall webinars (see event listing).
Affinity groups. Two big themes connect all Network members: “a new life stage” and “older adults as a resource.” When asked what smaller group connections would be valuable for members, you said, “encore transitions” and “local and regional connections.” Other topics of interest: “multi-generational programs,” “engaging encore talent” and “social activism.”
Action steps: Join our affinity group for members supporting individual transitions. E-mail me here. And, if you work in early childhood education, sign up for the ECE virtual community here.
Multigenerational nature of your work. More than half of you said your work and/or workplace are multigenerational, at least in part, and almost 40% said you’re interested in learning how to engage multiple generations in your work/workplace. One member commented, “I’d like to make closer connections between encore programs and my city’s Age-Friendly work.”
Action steps: check out the Gen2Gen Learning Hub and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities Second Acts toolkit for resources.
For more information, contact Network lead Betsy Werley.
Published: September 19, 2019