2007 Gero-Ed Track

The CSWE Gero-Ed Center thanks all the volunteers, chairs, presenters, and attendees who helped make the 2007 CSWE APM Gero-Ed Track such a success. For a recap of the overall CSWE APM, visit the Annual Program Meeting Web site.

Gero-Ed Track Kick-Off

Keynote Speaker: Marc Freedman
Marc Freedman, a leader in the field of civic engagement and older adults, was the keynote speaker to kick off the new Gero-Ed Track on Sunday, October 28. His speech on reexamining retirement and the meaning of work in later life drew a standing-room-only crowd.

With thought-provoking examples from his new book Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life, Freedman highlighted how many older Americans are now finding personal satisfaction and a sense of involvement by opting to not retire but rather to start a new phase of their work life. "Encore careers," as Freedman calls them, recognize that being productive doesn't stop at a certain age, nor does the desire to be of use. Through "encore careers," retirees are able to contribute a lifetime of invaluable career experience to work that matters and allows them to better serve the social needs of their communities.

In his speech, Freedman pointed out that our aging population is a vast pool of talents and abilities that have yet to be put to use. By tapping into these talents and passions, older adults can help solve some of the biggest social problems we currently face. Social workers can promote this kind of productive aging by engaging older adults in community building and reform and encouraging them to find their passions in community service. Freedman's speech was followed by a lively question and answer session as well as a book signing.

The Gero-Ed Track Kick-Off was co-sponsored by the Institute for Geriatric Social Work (IGSW).

Gero-Ed Track Special Events

Gero-Ed Center/AGE-SW Joint Event & Reception
The annual Gero-Ed Center/AGE-SW Joint Event continued the civic engagement discussion with Civic Engagement: What It Means for Social Work, featuring panelists Nancy Morrow-Howell, Carmen Morano, and Jim Hinterlong. The reception was co-sponsored by AGE-SW and Anita Rosen

The Anita Rosen Award winners were also announced during the reception.

Gero-Ed Film Festival
With standing-room-only crowds, the second annual Gero-Ed Film Festival was a success. Nine films were showcased, each highlighting different intergenerational and aging issues appropriate for use in the classroom. Download and print the Film Festival Schedule for more information.

CSWE Career Center Student Session - Finding a Job: In the Field of Gerontology
This exciting new event, sponsored by the CSWE Career Center, drew a students interested in learning more about finding academic jobs in the field of gerontology. The panelists were: Harriet Cohen, Colleen Galambos, Nancy Kropf, Colleen Reed, and moderator Sherry Cummings. Visit the CSWE Career Center online. A light breakfast was sponsored by Anita Rosen.

For more information, visit the CSWE Annual Program Meeting site.