Holt/FORTY PLUS/2 now being considered by the Committee which is intended to enhance employment opportunities for a singularly disadvantaged and 10 group, the mature but talented people over 40 who are out of work. As you know, Mr. Chairman, ours is a youth oriented society. Consequently, there is abroad in the land a pervasive attitude which holds that the mature job applicant may not be as desirable as a young person. Such a cavalier pre-judgment of an important segment of our citizenry is contrary to the historic American concept of equality of opportunity for all. It disavows public preference for men of maturity to cope with the massive critical issues which have confronted our nation throughout the years. Over the centuries, wisdom has long been associated with age. The history of this august body, as well as that of your colleagues on the other side of the Capitol, clearly demonstrates that the American electorate, by and large, prefers to entrust the destiny of this country to men and women aged 40 and above. A similar respect for maturity is reflected in the age at which our Presidents and members of the Judiciary assume the demanding duties of their offices. Recent Department of Labor statistics show that well over 1 million This is a 68 percent jump persons above age 40 are unemployed. over similar statistics for January, 1970. It is a trend which we must do everything possible to reverse. Holt/FORTY PLUS/3 The mature unemployed executive and professional person is a natural resource which this nation can ill afford to lose. The experience of our organization is that these people are singularly talented, deeply dedicated, and highly dependable. It is in the national interest that this talent not be wasted. The motto of our group is: THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE. We deeply believe this concept should be re-vitalized and more thoughtfully considered by legislators, administrators, and employers. I strongly urge, Mr. Chairman, that the Committee report out a bill which will provide positive assistance to help mature workers to find new employment opportunities. Thank you. FORTY PLUS The Cooperative Placement Service For The Executive Over Forty HOW THE FORTY PLUS PLAN WORKS Since 1953, Forty Plus of Washington has been assisting members with professional and executive talents to find suitable employment. It has evolved a comprehensive and tested plan which assists members to economically advertise their availability and capabilities through modern marketing techniques. Forty Plus is a non-profit, self-help cooperative organization designed to supplement the member's own employment efforts. In addition it boosts members morale, promoting the realization that success in job-hunting requires diligence, flexibility, patience and above all a belief in oneself. MEMBERSHIP Forty Plus men and women are carefully chosen from unemployed professionals and executives over 40 years of age, who have a history of earnings of at least $14,000 per year in responsible positions. They must be United States Citizens, have a marketable skill and should live within the greater Washington Metropolitan area. Selection to membership is contingent upon a personal interview and favorable responses to a comprehensive screening of references. THE PLAN IN OPERATION Members competencies are Evaluated. Following acceptance by the Executive Committee the new member receives expert counseling in the preparation of his resume. He learns to evaluate objectively his capabilities and areas of competence. This is essential since a good resume is the key to gaining interviews. ww Availability of Members Receive Wide Exposure. A brief profile of each member being marketed is included in the monthly publication, "40 Plus News Bulletin." This bulletin is constantly revised and is mailed monthly to more than 1500 potential employers in business and government. In addition, the placement committee distributes individual resumes in response to advertisements as well as direct inquiries from business and government. Promotion and Source Development. A com tinuing program of mass media publicity and paid advertising reaches the market within a 250 mile radius of Washington. The pro gram is designed to acquaint potential employers with Forty Plus and to encourage employment of the older professionals and executives. Members Participate in Management. Forty Plus has no paid employees. The work of the organization is performed under the guidance of the Executive Committee by the active membership. Each is expected under the terms of his agreement to contribute at least one working day each week on committee work in addition to attending the weekly general meeting. Each member's return from Forty Plus is in proportion to the effort he expends in its support. Assignment to Committees. Forty Plus is organized on a functional basis. There is one directional and five operational committees. Except for the elected Officers and Committee Chairmen, each member is assigned to a committee by the Executive Board. Each assignment is based on making maximum use of each member's talents in the best interests of the organization. Office Management. Establishes policy... provides continuity... furnishes day-to-day direction and guidance to the working members. Marketing. Develops nation-wide mailing lists of employers... Canvasses employers in the Washington area to increase circulation of the Forty Plus News-Bulletin ... makes personal calls on top officials of prospective employers to promote the use of Forty Plus as THE source of quality executive talent... publishes and distributes the monthly News-Bulletin. Placement. Handles all employment actions on a confidential basis... screens the competencies of all members against the specifications of job opportunities... furnishes appropriate resumes upon discovery of a job opportunity or upon request of a prospective employer... follows up on all job leads to the extent practical. Public Relations. Creates advertising, publicity releases, radio and TV scripts.. handles public affairs... publishes periodr cally an internal Newsletter for the member ship. Membership. Provides the initial point of contact between the public and Forty Plus ... interviews prospective members... conducts a comprehensive screening of applicants prior to presentation for action by the Executive Committee. Job Counseling. Directs members in their own self-evaluation... develops clear and concise resumes and profiles... helps members to plan their job-search program. Each Member has a Downtown Office. Members may direct mail and phone calls to the offices of Forty Plus. The use of all facilities and supplies to assist in individual job-search is provided on days other than those devoted to committee work. References, newspapers and periodicals are available for individual convenience and use. Financial Support. The annual budget identifies funds for essential expenditures within the limits of Forty Plus resources. Monies are derived from the modest initiation fee and monthly dues paid by the members. Additional assistance is provided by voluntary donations and the annual dues of senior alumni. OTHER FORTY PLUS GROUPS Forty Plus of New York, Inc. 15 Park Row, New York, N.Y. 10038 (212) BEekman 3-6086 Forty Plus of Philadelphia, Inc. 1716 Chestnut St., Phila., Pa. 19103 Forty Plus Club of Chicago 343 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, III. 60604 Forty Plus of Denver, Inc. 251 E. 12th Ave., Denver, Colo. 80203 Forty Plus Ass'n of So. Calif., Inc. Forty Plus of Northern Calif. Oakland, California 94606 Forty Plus of Cincinnati P.O. Box 2033 Cincinnati, Ohio 45201 |