Encore Transitions: Preparing for Post-Career Life

Welcome to the Encore Transitions course blog!

The information contained here is for all participants -- those who are taking the full four-session course and those who are taking individual sessions.

Here you can find:

* Staff contact information.

* Directions and parking information for the Continuing Education and Conference Center.

* Encore Transitions course overview, benefits, session descriptions, and presenter biographies.

* Recommended resources.

* Preview of the reading packet.

Email

encore@umn.edu

Phone

Vivien Oja
College of Continuing Education
612-624-4936

http://cce.umn.edu/Continuing-Education-and-Conference-Center/Parking-Directions/index.html

Lot S104 is directly adjacent to the Center's lower level entrance, so it is a very convenient and reasonably priced ($6 per day) parking option.

University of Minnesota faculty and staff who have a parking contract on the East or West Bank may wish to park in the Gortner Avenue ramp since it is a reciprocal parking facility. The ramp is located just west of the Center.

This document includes a course overview, features and benefits, full descriptions of each session, and presenter biographies.

Encore Transitions Fall 2012 Full Info.pdf

Encore Transitions Fall 2012 Schedule.pdf

ET Recommended Resources.pdf

ET Reading Packet Contents.pdf

Welcoming remarks by Mary Nichols, Dean of CCE,
and an introduction by Andrea (Andy) Gilats.
The Road to What's Next
Catherine Watson
October 19, 2012
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Hear about Watson's ongoing journey toward her "encore life," learn about personal narrative as a way to make sense of the past and navigate the surprises and challenges that lie ahead, and start writing your transition memoir on the spot and as it happens.

Catherine Watson is a writer and photographer who was travel editor at the Minneapolis Star Tribune from 1978 to 2004 and is now travel editor for MinnPost. A pioneer in personal travel writing, she has published two award-winning collections of her work, Home on the Road: Further Dispatches from the Ends of the Earth and Roads Less Traveled: Dispatches from the Ends of the Earth. In addition to traveling, she teaches memoir writing and lectures internationally. Photo credit: James W. Bjorkman


What are Encore Transitions Anyway, and Why Are They So Important?
Andrea (Andy) Gilats and Bill Spinelli
October 19, 2012
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Play Audio

What makes for a purposeful transition into a "new stage" of life, one that didn't exist before our current longevity revolution? What makes for satisfying, meaningful "encore life?"



Andrea (Andy) Gilats, Ph.D., is an educator who has developed and led a variety of continuing education and lifelong learning programs during her three decades in the University of Minnesota's College of Continuing Education. Most recently, she founded the College's LearningLife initiative, as well as Encore Transitions. She has deeply studied the research on older adults in work and life transition for the past six years.

Bill Spinelli, M.D., is a family physician and Distinguished Fellow at the Allina Center for Health Care Innovation. A Bush Foundation Medical Fellowship allowed him to earn a Master's of Public Affairs at the U of M's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and while there, he created the Heartwood Project, an initiative to help seasoned physicians move toward their "encores" through reflective dialogue, giving to the community, and mentoring younger physicians. He is the co-founder of Encore Transitions.

Positive Aging
Bill Spinelli
November 2, 2012
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Play Audio

Aging is not, by definition, a disease, condition, or descent into frailty and dependence. Your eyes will be opened during this easy-to-swallow overview of the aging process, including physiology, brain changes, and social positioning. Learn how to cultivate health consciousness and body awareness, and discover what makes for healthy longevity.

Bill Spinelli, M.D., is a family physician and Distinguished Fellow at the Allina Center for Health Care Innovation. A Bush Foundation Medical Fellowship allowed him to earn a Master's of Public Affairs at the U of M's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and while there, he created the Heartwood Project, an initiative to help seasoned physicians move toward their "encores" through reflective dialogue, giving to the community, and mentoring younger physicians. He is the co-founder of Encore Transitions.


Engaged As We Age
Andrea (Andy) Gilats
November 2, 2012
Download PDF and Worksheet
Play Audio

Get a sampling of the latest research into vital aging and discover why activities like working, helping, socializing, and learning, as well as motivators like autonomy, mastery, and purpose are keys to satisfaction and happiness later in life. You'll also learn about the "Third Age" as a time of personal fulfillment and second chances, and use a newly developed tool to start shaping your life for personal satisfaction and healthy longevity.

Andrea (Andy) Gilats, Ph.D., is an educator who has developed and led a variety of continuing education and lifelong learning programs during her three decades in the University of Minnesota's College of Continuing Education. Most recently, she founded the College's LearningLife initiative, as well as Encore Transitions. She has deeply studied the research on older adults in work and life transition for the past six years.

The Roots of Resilience
Henry Emmons
November 2, 2012
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Play Audio


What are the elements of a resilient life? How do life balance, meaningful connections, and joy contribute to resilience? Discover how resilience helps us stay whole through, and bounce fully back from, life's expected and unexpected changes and challenges.


Henry Emmons, M.D., is a practicing psychiatrist who has worked on mindfulness and health realization in medicine, resilience training, and the evolution from clinician to healer. He is the author of two critically acclaimed books on resilience and well being, The Chemistry of Joy and The Chemistry of Calm. He practices holistic psychiatry, consults with colleges and organizations, and teaches resiliency skills through the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing.

Timely Financial Questions
Mark Fischer
November 16, 2012
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Play Audio

What should you know about Social Security and Medicare? How will you make your money last through your lifetime? What questions should you be asking your financial advisor? Knowing what questions to ask as you prepare for an encore transition will help assure that you find the best answers for your situation.


Mark Fischer is a Certified Financial Planner who owns and operates Plan for Life, a fee-based financial planning firm. Since 1986, he has been helping people craft life strategies using an approach that is holistic and research-focused. Fischer holds both a Ph.D. and an MBA, has taught at several universities, has done seminars with numerous organizations, and in 2011, was recognized by Mpls.St. Paul Magazine as one of the Twin Cities' Five Star wealth managers.


How Can I Help?
Jim Scheibel
November 16, 2012
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Play Audio

Studies show that helping others makes us healthier, happier, and longer-lived. What does it mean to work for greater good, whether for pay or not? Learn about traditional and new options for service, volunteering, and other forms of planned helpfulness from someone who is dedicated to making it possible for us to help others.


Jim Scheibel served as mayor of Saint Paul from 1990-1994. As senior vice president of the Corporation for National and Community Service under the Clinton administration, he directed both Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and Senior Corps, and he worked with Experience Corps. As a volunteer, he has long led efforts to get people involved in public service. He is currently Executive in Residence for the School of Business at Hamline University.

Launching Your Future
Jerry Allan
November 30, 2012

Download PDFs
A Decade at a Glance: Key Words
Stepping Stone Action Plan
A Voyage to Your Future
A Decade at a Glance: Calendar
Ithaca Poem

Play Audio Part 1 / Part 2

Who and what can you see yourself being and doing in the future? What are your challenges? What gives you momentum? What one step can you take toward your future right this minute? Using Jerry Allan's amazing "sheets of work," you'll begin actively crafting your encore journey, including identifying and overcoming barriers, seeing options and pathways, focusing in on your best possibilities, and taking action.

Jerry Allan is an educator, architect, and internationally recognized expert on creativity and sustainability. He is founder and president of Criteria, Inc., an interdisciplinary design firm, and is a professor of visual studies at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He also speaks and teaches internationally on creativity, futures, environmental design, and sustainable places. Currently he is working on pre-emptive Peace, an international sustainability effort.