FINAL: Encore NEO Programs & Progress Updates

Weekly events & updates

March 2, 2023

Back to Our Roots

Some History

My name is Tim Lybarger and I work with individuals over the age of 50 to help them design and build new careers around the things that inspire them.

In March of 2015, I hosted a small meeting of individuals who had personal experience with the challenges of changing careers later in life. That small group evolved into what became Encore NEO, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting age 50+ individuals as they navigate the difficult terrain of reconnecting with employment in the midst of ageism and a changing workplace.

Fueled by a dedicated Board of Directors, several highly publicized open houses, broad community engagement, and a real-felt need by individuals in transition, our small group grew rapidly. Ultimately, in addition to our weekly Monday morning meetings, we hosted a wide range of programs to give participants the tools they needed to "hire the best employer."

As with many other groups, the pandemic forced us to present our programming online. This initially appeared to be an exciting development as we soon gained participants from other states and countries.

The High Cost of Convenience and Comfort

However, the long-term effect of online programming has diluted the more essential components of our programming, especially the formation of a supportive community.

Career transition after the age of 50 is hard work. It is inconvenient and highly discomforting. A successful transition involves much more than simply signing in and out of occasional Zoom meetings and pursuing opportunities via online job-search engines.

Later-life career transition demands an ongoing personal search for clarity of purpose, a deep understanding of the tectonic changes taking place in the marketplace, and an awareness and practice of the most effective approaches to connect with the best employers. Most importantly, it demands the support of a highly committed community of fellow travelers on whom we can rely for candid feedback and new ideas.

Going Back to Move Forward

We have decided to return to our original roots of providing an onsite venue where those who are sincerely determined to do everything they can to design and build new careers and lifestyles around the things that truly inspire them can engage in shoulder-to-shoulder, collaborative efforts to help them discover new possibilities, overcome challenges, and advance their goals.

We warmly welcome your participation at our weekly Monday morning gatherings (9:30-11:30 a.m.) at the Bainbridge Library. If Bainbridge is too far away for you, we encourage you to form your own closer-to-home group. Connect with us on our LinkedIn Group to exchange ideas for how to do that.

Those who are serious about making progress on clearly defined goals are welcome to participate in a mastermind group. Again, inquire through our LinkedIn Group on how to make that happen.

Lastly, all interested parties may stay in touch with us through our LinkedIn Group (see information below).

For the past eight years, Encore NEO has been my passion and my best personal teacher, as I know it has been for the dedicated Board members, volunteers and participants who have sustained it.

We are not going away. Instead, like many of us in search of our true life's purpose and mission, we are turning back to our original, life-giving roots – where we came from – so that we may more effectively provide for what we care most about!

I truly hope that you will choose to join our community and continue on this journey.

Thank you and be well,

Tim Lybarger

Age 50+ Encore Career Seeker

Important Notice!

Times are quickly changing, and so is Encore NEO.

Monday Morning Discussion Series

New location: Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
New time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.