A presentation of the task of the 1981 White House Conference on Aging, i.e., to address the problems of older Americans and to consider ways to use older Americans as national resources, is followed by a discussion of the legislative background of the Conference and Conference funding. Six topics chosen by the Advisory Committee for discussion are enumerated, including: (1) economic security; (2) physical and mental health; (3) social well-being; (4) older Americans as a growing national resource; (5) the creation of an age-integrated society within societal institutions and the implications for the economy, education, organized religion, the family, the media, and government structure; and (6) research. The two-phased conference structure is outlined with the first phase consisting of local- and state-sponsored activities such as community forums and state conferences to select delegates. The discussion of the second phase focuses on the delegates, substate and regional hearings, and the national conference. Twenty mini-conferences, meetings designed to focus national attention on special aging issues, are listed. Brief biographical sketches of conference leaders and staff are provided along with a list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of state coordinators for the Conference. (NRB)