Toward a greater good...

How to invest one's time during retirement is a key consideration for many. Some build their entire retirement experience around how they will use their time. Relocating to a lake house in a moderate climate to pursue a passion for spending time at bass fishing has no doubt fueled more than one angler's retirement path.

Others, who do want to take leave of a full time career quest, seek to focus some of their time and labor into effort that, while not necessarily commercial, still offers value toward a greater good. These folks often seek to volunteer for a cause or organization whose mission speaks to them. Volunteering used to mean just that...providing skill and service without compensation toward a mission. 21^st century volunteering is that and more. There are still thousands of organizations and good works initiatives that count on the gift of unpaid service. Many, however; employ volunteer coordinators who work hard not only recruiting helping hands, but developing plans for rewarding service with incentives like gift cards, banquets

and other spiffs. Others have linked to the Corporation for National and Community Service to access the commitment of seniors who volunteer with more traditional work-similar benefits.

Persons over 55 years of age can commit to public service through the Corporation by joining the Senior Corps. “Senior Corps connects today’s 55+ with the people and organizations that need them most. We help them become mentors, coaches or companions to people in need, or contribute their job skills and expertise to community projects and organizations,” according to their website at http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/sc/index.asp . Whether they act as foster grandparents, peer companions for other seniors or non-profit team members at food banks, housing renewal sites, grade schools or other agencies, these Senior Corps members can receive an hourly stipend, transportation funding or both along with other incentives like accident insurance. These volunteer opportunities are not jobs, any stipend is not an earned wage so does not count as such against pension work restrictions and can offer those who serve worthwhile experiences, new faces and places and a modest boost to the budget during their service year.

Learn more by accessing http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/sc/index.asp