I’m just finishing reading the book, Encore by Marc Freedman. In addition to being a writer on the role of aging baby boomers in society, Freedman is a social entrepreneur. The subtitle of his book is "Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Your Life."

It’s a well-written treatise on why the traditional notion of retirement has become out of step with the times–not only in terms of what our world and national economy needs, but also in terms of what individuals have to give and really want after fulfilling the duties of being a breadwinner and having a career. Interspersed with compelling arguments are case studies of individuals who have found their encore work.

A few favorite quotes from the book:

"Erik Erikson defines generativity as the realization that an essential responsibility of human life is to pass on what we have learned to future generations; as he put it, "I am what survives me.""

"I’ve got, what, ten good years left?…Why not use ’em to help other people." –Dick Tarlow, advertising executive

"The first half of life is about compulsion; the second half is about choice." –Shoshana Zuboff, Harvard Business School

Freedman rejects the notion that working in retirement is about being a greeter at Wal-Mart or working at the local bookstore. He describes it this way:

"More appropriate to the new stage of work is the language of renewal, a rekindling of passion, and the prospect of ongoing learning, growth, and challenge."

In other words, it is possible is to do work that brings us alive, at any age.

Freedman has set up a great site, www.encore.org, that is meant to be a resource as well as an online gathering place. He’s clearly figured out how to create a community around a movement.