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BreakThrough Award Overview
Background
Practices to Tap Encore Talent
Encore Awards Selection Panel
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Help Us Spread the Word
Useful Resources
> Frequently Asked Questions
For More Information
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Award
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Q:
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What is an encore career? |
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A:
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Americans over 50 who are working on society’s greatest challenges are
in their encore careers – doing work that combines continued income
with personal meaning and social impact..
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WWhat do the MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Encore Awards recognize? |
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The Encore Awards are for organizations in the nonprofit or public sectors that are filling pressing workforce needs with the growing numbers of Americans over 50 in encore careers – doing work that combines continued income with personal meaning and social impact. The Awards will showcase new approaches by these organizations, as employers or intermediaries that connect individuals 50+ to encore work.
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How often is The Encore Awards given? |
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This is the second round of Encore Awards. In 2007 the first round was called The BreakThrough Award, and 10
organizations were recognized for tapping the talent of people over 50. Continuation beyond this year is contingent on additional funding. |
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Who funds The Encore Awards? |
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The MetLife
Foundation has provided funding to Civic Ventures for both rounds of this award. |
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What do Award winners receive?
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Nonprofit organizations recognized with an Encore Award will receive $2,500. In addition, all winners will be showcased for their leadership and human resource expertise through a media campaign and wide dissemination of best and promising practice information to other organizations, stakeholders identified by the award winners, and potential investors in expanding such practices.
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Eligibility, Nomination Process and Timeline
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What types of organizations are eligible for nomination?
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Organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors are eligible to apply or be nominated by others for their practices as employers or intermediaries.
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Will the Award recognize practices that increase volunteer opportunities?
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This Award does not apply to volunteer work done without any type of compensation. "Compensation," however,
is broadly viewed and may include things such as health insurance, stipends,
living allowance, or other creative benefits. Organizations that are engaging
individuals over 50 solely as volunteers, without any form of compensation,
are not eligible for an Encore Award. |
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Who can submit nominations?
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Nominations are welcome from any individual who is familiar with the work/practices
of the organization, including an employee or board member. |
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Is it possible to nominate more than one organization? |
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There is no limit to the number of organizations an individual may nominate. |
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When do nominations begin? When is the deadline?
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The nomination process begins April 1, 2009. Nomination forms are now
available and can be submitted at any time through midnight Eastern Standard
Time on June 1, 2009. |
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What is the Letter of Intent? |
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The letter of intent form is designed to help Civic Ventures estimate the number of nominations to expect. Although letters of intent are due by May 1, 2009, you may submit them after if you learn about the Encore Awards at a later date – keeping in mind that nominations are due no later than midnight Eastern Standard Time on June 1, 2009.
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Q:
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How long is the nomination form? How much time might be needed to
complete it? |
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A:
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The nomination form asks for general information about the organization
and several specific questions about the practices being implemented to
engage people over 50 who are in their encore careers. It should not take
longer than one hour to complete.
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How do I submit a nomination?
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NNominations will be accepted only through online submissions to the Civic
Ventures web site. Technical questions about accessing and completing the
online nomination form are answered in the Technical
Questions section of these FAQs. |
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Should I send letter(s) of support and/or additional materials along
with my application? |
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Nominations will be evaluated based on the answers in the application
form alone. Please do not send additional materials for review. During the
review process, some applicants may be contacted and asked to provide additional
information, and there will be telephone interviews with all finalists. |
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How will I know that my nomination has been received? |
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You will be sent an email acknowledgement when your application is submitted
online. |
Selection Process
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How will applicants be evaluated?
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The following questions will be considered in evaluating applications:
- Intent: Were the practices implemented
in order to engage people seeking encore careers?
- Social Purpose: What is the need
addressed by the work being done by encore workers?
- Impact: How many people in
encore careers are working as a result of the practices? How are their
skills and experience helping the organization achieve its mission?
- Creativity: How resourceful and unique
are the practices employed to overcome obstacles in recruitment or
retention, or expand opportunities?
- Replicability/Expansion: Is this
a useful "best" or "promising" practice that is transferable
to other organizations? Can it be extended to engage more people?
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Who makes the final selection of Encore Award winners? |
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An award selection panel will
determine the final slate of winners. Civic Ventures board member Ann Bowers,
Chair of the Board of the Noyce Foundation and former Vice President of Human
Resources for Apple Computer, is serving as the Panel Chair. The members of this
panel have expertise in human resources, work-life issues, and aging workforce
demographics.
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When and where will award winners be announced?
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Award winners will be announced in Washington, D.C., in October 2009. |
Technical Questions
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What kind of software/hardware do I need to access the online
letter of intent and nomination forms? |
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A:
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To complete the online portion of the form you will need internet access
and Microsoft Word or word processing software that can save documents in
Word format. |
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How do I complete the letter of intent and nomination forms? |
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First, go to the nomination page of the website and click the link to
download the letter of intent form and a separate link to download the nomination
form. This enables you to save the documents to your computer and complete
all required sections. Directions on how to submit each form are on the
downloaded documents themselves.
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How can I keep a copy of my completed letter of intent and nomination
forms? |
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Since your word document will be on your computer, you will already
have a copy of that. You may click on the Print button on your browser before
submitting your nomination if you need a copy of the contact information
you are providing to us. |
Additional Questions
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Whom should I contact if I have additional questions? |
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Please submit your questions to:
Cal Halvorsen
Program Associate
Civic Ventures
Email: chalvorsen [at] civicventures [dot] org
Phone: 202-478-6186 |
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Adding Life to Years
"This increase in the life span and the number of our senior citizens presents this Nation with increased opportunities: the opportunity to draw upon their skill and sagacity--and the opportunity to provide the respect and recognition they have earned. It is not enough for a great nation merely to have added new years to life-- our objective must also be to add new life to those years."
- President John F. Kennedy, Special Message to Congress 1963
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