Boomers Crowd Into The Web

Baby Boomers don’t like to be left out. They don’t like falling behind the curve.
Such is the case on the Internet. Baby Boomers have embraced the World Wide Web. And, like everything else we do, we are making our presence felt.
There is no shortage of web pages dedicated to the Baby Boom generation from lifestyle to politics to trivia to careers to retirement.
Here’s a sampling.
Babyboomers.com… Boy, the folks at The Boomer Initiative who secured the rights to this site must be happy. I’m sure there are groups that would pay a handsome price to have this Internet address. The Boomer Initiative used to be the American Association of Baby Boomers. It’s a non-profit organization that focuses on the challenges facing this 78 million member generation. The site includes a conference center, a newsroom and a place to check to see what happened the year you were born.
Boomertowne.com is a flashy, hip site for Baby Boomers. It’s like an electronic city where you can walk by health counseling centers, dating services, travel agencies, newsstands and trivia shops. You can also check out blogs, discussion boards and videos.
Boomj.com is put together nicely. It’s a site dedicated to Boomers’ lifestyle and social networking. There’s a place to shop for some of the more popular Boomer items, a place to study high-interest political items, a place to preview movies as well as look at blogs and member profiles.
Aginghipsters.com is one of the funkier web sites. It discusses trends, research and allows comments on everything from music to health to humor to current events. One recent entry is an interview with Don Brewster of Grand Funk Railroad. In it, he notes “oldies” are now defined as “classic rock.”
Boomercapsule.com is a nostalgic web page with some vintage video. It also includes a blog page and a place to look up items in an on-line encyclopedia. The home page features June Christy singing, “It’s been a long, long time.” Pleasant.
Boomernet.com is listed as the “surfing center” for this generation. It has a marketplace, a “brain power” section with games and a place to watch “Boomer classic” television shows. You can also read reviews of book, music, movies and theater. Easy to follow page.
Turningpointtv.com is one of several on-line broadcast stations for Baby Boomers. Its videos cover travel, retirement, relationships, health, fitness and other topics.
Finallymagazine.com is on on-line publication for people over the age of 45. It contains articles on aging, beauty, care givers, prescription drugs, pets, retirements and other subjects of interest to the Baby Boom generation.
Greenseniors.org is one of the many issue-oriented sites out there. It is focused on environmental issues and what people in the older years can do about them. Full of facts, links and news items.
The Boomer Chronicles is found on thegeminiweb.com. It’s one of many personal sites where the author writes about what is important to them and allows readers to comment back.
As you can see, no shortage of material on the ‘Net. Move over, webmasters. The Baby Boomers are moving in.

Boomers Wanted

It’s nice to be wanted and Baby Boomers are near the top of the most desirable list. At least in five states, when it comes to our experience and knowledge.
This week, Civic Ventures released a policy paper commending five states for their efforts to engage people over the age of 50 in meaningful work and community service.
Civic Venture noted that California officials are trying to match Baby Boomers’ desire to serve with specific labor shortages, such as the demand for math and science teachers. The state’s eServices office has even created a database for retired job seekers to use their skills and interests.
In Arizona, a coalition of groups has formed to push the Mature Workforce Initiative to launch new programs, such as a “mature worker friendly” environment at businesses.
In Maryland, there is the Baby Boomer Initiative Act, which spurred the creation of the Boomer Initiative Council. That organization develops strategies to keep the post-World War Two generation engaged in their communities.
The states of New York and Massachusetts are also lauded for their efforts in the Civic Ventures paper.
What these government and non-profit officials have latched onto is something I have noticed in our generation. A desire to give back to our communities as well as to improve our society by volunteering.
As I’ve noted in previous columns, many Baby Boomers are closing in on retirement. Many have raised their children and are looking for ways to spend their new-found leisure hours.
Baby Boomers have apparently discovered volunteering to be a worthy calling. In 2006, the United States’ volunteer rate hit a 30-year high, increasing 32 percent from 1989 to 2005. The Baby Boom generation is leading the way. More than 30 percent of our generation between the ages of 46 and 57 are doing some volunteer work, the highest percentage among any age group.
This is a trend that could have major impacts in our society. There are 78 million Baby Boomers in this country. If a healthy percentage of them decide to volunteer, think of the difference it could make in schools, clinics, health-care facilities, environmental causes and other services.
We were an activist force in the 1960s when it came to the Vietnam War, Civil Rights and women’s rights. Perhaps we can be the same kind of dynamic force in our older years.