A personal invitation from Lani Ritter Hall, a Third Actor in Ohio. Lani is also on our advisory board and our National Volunteer Facilitator.

As I am sure you know, there’s joy to be found in many corners of Third Act. But what brings me the greatest joy, at this moment, is the amazing national volunteer community which I have the honor and privilege to facilitate. 

I want to extend this personal invitation to you to learn more about who we are and join us.

Who we are

We are Third Actors from across the nation, residing in states with and without working groups. We are introverts, we are extroverts, each of us with unique lived experiences all working together to grow and sustain the beloved community that is Third Act. We bring a multitude of talents and gifts to support Third Act behind the scenes: as writers, as facilitators, as tech gurus in different areas, as content specialists. We all love our country and our planet and are determined to continue to make a difference.

We are introverts, we are extroverts, each of us with unique lived experiences all working together to grow and sustain the beloved community that is Third Act.

What we do

At our monthly community meetings, we share in welcoming attendees, offer technical support, select the music that opens and closes our meetings, report on what we are doing, and even participate in Zoom speed dating.

Our info@ team answers questions that come to Third Act. Our Welcome team holds the biweekly, national Welcome to Third Act calls. Our web coaches, Zoom coaches, and Google coaches support all Third Actors with questions about technology. And as the staff requests, we take notes at meetings, we search for venues for retreats, we phone bank, we support working groups, and much more. 

I’ll be honest, some roles are not exciting (like maintaining a spreadsheet), but it is this work that provides the staff with additional hours to plan and lead. Many of us are willing to step out of our comfort zones as we take on roles, ones critical to the growth and maintenance of our movement. 

Many of us are willing to step out of our comfort zones as we take on roles, ones critical to the growth and maintenance of our movement.

The rewards

There are so many rewards—it’s impossible to just share one. But the deep friendships that come from collaborating with other Third Act volunteers is first for me. In addition, there is the joy of meeting so many experienced Americans from across the country who bring their own gifts and talents to this work, often in ways they had not originally imagined. There are also the incredible opportunities to learn with and from other volunteers and Third Act staff.

The surprises

I have been most surprised by the agency that Third Act gives its volunteers. In August of 2022, a team of volunteers began to hold the biweekly “Welcome to Third Act” meetings—important gatherings that are entirely volunteer-led. Each time our team counted down the minutes to begin another call, I marveled at the fact that we had this remarkable privilege to be the welcoming face of Third Act. Not only does the welcome team continue; now responding to all the emails that come into info@thirdact.org has been turned over to volunteers. Volunteers’ gifts and talents are truly valued. 

Why join us 

Now more than ever, we believe we need to harness the “old and bold” that is Third Act and stand up for our democracy and our planet—we need you to share your gifts and talents in service to our staff. 

I would love to personally welcome you to our community and hear the ways you’d like to contribute and collaborate with us to expand our capacity to support the Third Act and advance its mission.

Click here to sign up and learn more about our volunteer program—I can’t wait to see what we do together!

Thank you for all that you do.