#6
Pay to Play

Some boomers are able to do "good work" as unpaid volunteers. But many are looking for income and health benefits in addition to the opportunity to serve. Non-profits and other organizations that want to tap the wealth of experience of this generation need to experiment with a variety of compensation arrangements that is wider than simply paid or unpaid. Nonprofit organizations can take advantage of boomers' inclination by hiring them as full- or part-time bookkeepers, information-technology specialists, volunteer coordinators, marketers - and executive directors.

Experience Corps has found that a small stipend of about $200 per month plays a large role in reinforcing the commitment of its approximately 1800 members, generally 55 or older, who spend 16 hours a week helping elementary school children at risk for academic failure. The stipend offsets the expenses of volunteering, including transportation, food and supplies, eliminating a barrier to participation and symbolically recognizing the contribution of the members.

Such small incentives could double the older volunteer work force, according to a survey by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. Reduced costs on prescription drugs, education credits and small monthly stipends would induce more than half of volunteers and nearly half of non-volunteers to give at least 15 hours per week, Hart found.

President Bush has proposed a "Silver Scholarship" of $1,000 - which could be passed along to a child or grandchild - to older adults who mentor or tutor children in need. An even larger stipend would be cost-effective, according to the Progressive Policy Institute, which has proposed a national "Boomer Corps." In return for 25 hours a week of service for a year or more, retiring boomers would receive a $4,000 voucher that could be used for their own or their children's education or for health-related expenses. The group's proposal also includes a tax-free stipend of $400 a month to cover the incidental expenses of continued work.