Book Discussions
Due to the holidays, the Book Group met on Tuesday, December 2, for its November/December meeting. The next discussion will be Tuesday, January 27, 2015, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kansas City, Kansas South Branch Library, 3104 Strong Ave, KCKS. The selection is Wish you Happy Forever: What China's Orphans Taught Me About Moving Mountains by Jenny Bowen. Copies are available in area libraries.
Bowen is the founder of the Half the Sky Foundation which was created to enrich the lives of orphaned children in China. For her work, she was awarded the Purpose Prize for Intergenerational Innovation in 2011 from Encore.org. To win this prestigious honor, a person must be at least 60 years old, have started the work for which he or she is nominated at the age of 50 or later, and be currently doing work that addresses a major social problem.
The Next Chapter Kansas City program regularly offers book discussions in cooperation with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library. Our monthly Book Group focuses on transition topics for persons ages 50+ as they experience various aspects of life in anticipation of or after leaving their primary career. Both fiction and nonfiction books are discussed.
Click here for a list of recent discussions. For information or to suggest a book and/or lead a discussion, contact Karen Hostetler, Next Chapter KC Director, at (913) 281-8908 or by email at karenh@sckck.org.
Class Offerings
Next Chapter also offers classes that help you transition to what’s next in your life. "Aligning Passion and Purpose in the Next Chapter of Life" is a non-financial Life Planning class for persons ages 50+ who are exploring options for work, service and learning. Participants have the opportunity to explore, evaluate, and experience the thinking and tools that will be helpful in achieving a productive and satisfying transition. The next class will be held on November 5 and 12, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Click here for additional information about the class and to enroll.
Informational/Networking Forums (Learning Sessions)
Next Chapter's Informational/ Networking Forums provide information and tools for persons who are determining the next steps in their lives or for individuals who are simply interested in a specific topic. Past sessions have focused on Social Security, Will I Thrive or Survive Change, Sharing Transition Stories, Medicare, Long Term Care Insurance, and Social Media. To submit topics that would be of interest to you, contact Karen Hostetler at karenh@sckck.org or at (913) 281-8908.
Our next forum will be on January 29, 2015 at the Donnelly College Community Event Center, 608 N. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Additional details will be posted as they are available.
Click here for a list of recent Forums. Check out our calendar page for upcoming sessions or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed of upcoming events. You can also follow us on Facebook.
Networking Events
Many Next Chapter Kansas City activities are planned to provide an opportunity for persons to be in conversation with others who are also in employment or retirement transition. Whether it's in book discussions, forums, classes or meeting over a cup of coffee, networking and talking with peers are an important feature of Next Chapter programming.
Focus Groups (have replaced the Job Club)
Approximately once per year, the Next Chapter KC program conducts a focus group/listening session for persons who have recently left their primary career. It provides input for the program and gives participants an opportunity to talk with other individuals who are also in transition.
