Our experience in working with 55+ adults through RSVP is that they are interested in achieving balance and flexibility in work, family life, leisure, and volunteer time. Many are not interested in using retirement strictly as a time to relax; they are interested in doing something real and substantial with their time and they want to choose the time, duration, and method of service. They are also interested in volunteering in new and unique ways. It is clear that the number and types of volunteer opportunities available do not always reflect their diversity, skills and needs. After examining our existing RSVP programs and taking into account the increasing numbers of mature adults with professional backgrounds who reside in Frederick County or who have recently moved to the area, we decided to replicate a program developed in Montgomery County which targets the needs and interest of many 55+ adults. The program is called the Pro Bono Consulting Program. Through focus groups and planning tools, we’re assisting agencies in assessing their unmet needs and envisioning how highly skilled transitioning and retired volunteers can meet those needs. Each job description will be designed to be time limited an measured by tangible outcomes. The following are examples of possible Pro Bono Projects:

Organizational - finance, human resources, special event planning, public relations, research and evaluation, strategic planning, training and development

Programmatic - design or grant writing

Technical - database design, hardware and software support and selection, IT training

Trades - plumbing, carpentry, landscape design

If your skills are in one of these areas, and you would like to find out about projects which have been identified as needed by agencies, contact Jim Cox at jimcoxjr@volunteerfrederick.org or Diana Halleman at dianah@volunteerfrederick.org or call 301-663-5214 ext. 1#.

Many retirees, age 50 and up, were able to find ways to connect with the community by participating in a one day event called “Life Mapping: Chart your Course for a Creative Retirement”.  Held in April 2006, this day ways designed to help them assess retirement plans and engage in self-discovery.  Attendees were able to explore activities such as employment and entrepreneurship, recreation and leisure, wellness, lifelong learning, and community service by talking to the many local and national organizational representatives at the event.  Each organization of the 50+ represented was able to demonstrate how each person could contribute to the organization’s success while achieving self-fulfillment.  This event was sponsored by Volunteer Frederick’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), MOST Magazine, and the Frederick Community College Institute for Learning in Retirement.  Life Mapping was also endorsed by the Frederick County Commission on Aging, United Way of Frederick County, and Edenton Retirement Community.