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What is the Elderhostel Institute Network?
The Elderhostel Institute Network is a voluntary association of Lifelong
Learning Institutes (LLIs). The old name for LLIs was Institutes for Learning
in Retirement or ILRs. An LLI is a community-based organization of retirement
age people dedicated to meeting the educational interests of its members.
Although every LLI is unique and independent, most LLIs are sponsored
by a college or university; provide unique, non-credit academic programs
developed by the members themselves; and have an open membership for all
enthusiastic retirement age learners regardless of previous education.
In addition, most LLIs are governed by their own members, and have members
leading some of the academic coursework in lieu of professional faculty.
How did the Elderhostel Institute Network begin?
In 1988, 24 established Institutes for Learning in Retirement collaborated
with Elderhostel, Inc. -- a non-profit educational organization for older
adults -- to form a voluntary association known as the Elderhostel Institute
Network. Both the Elderhostel and Institute movements embrace the same
fundamental philosophy that education is a life-long pursuit that enhances
the lives of all people, regardless of age. Through cooperative effort,
both organizations are able to work together toward this goal in a way
that improves the quality and variety of higher education for all older
adults.
What does the Elderhostel Institute Network do?
The Network’s mission is to promote communication between established
LLIs, and to encourage and foster the growth of new LLIs. LLIs affiliated
with the Network share a variety of resources in the areas of curriculum
development, membership recruitment and organizational governance. Newsletters,
conferences and workshops are used to exchange ideas and experiences among
LLIs.
How is an LLI different from an Elderhostel program?
An LLI program is run and attended by its members. The members are local
people who commute to the program, and who participate regularly year
after year, thus getting to know one another as friends, co-volunteers,
and classmates. An LLI program is structured like a typical college program,
with regular semesters and often homework. In addition, many LLIs provide
volunteer services to their sponsoring institutions or to the community
at large. By contrast, Elderhostel programs are short-term residential
programs, typically lasting five or six nights in the United States and
two to four weeks overseas. Elderhostel programs are run by University,
college or other educational institution staff. Most Elderhostel programs
do not require homework. Finally, Elderhostel programs are attended by
people from all over North America and require travel to and from the
program. Elderhostel programs combine learning with travel and thus do
not operate on a local, semester-based level.
Elderhostel Institute Network Facts:
- The first LLI in the United States was the Institute For Retired
Professionals. It was created in 1962 under the sponsorship of the New
School For Social Research in New York City.
- Since its inception in 1988, the Network has assisted more than 200
LLIs with getting started.
- New LLIs are starting up at the rate of 10-20 per year.
- More than 4,000 courses are available each term through the LLIs
in the Elderhostel Institute Network.
- Approximately 100,000 people are members of the various LLIs affiliated
with the Elderhostel Institute Network.
- A typical LLI has 200-300 members, many of whom will volunteer their
services to lead courses, serve on committees, or help with the logistics
of managing the program.
- In general, a typical LLI offers 10-20 courses per term, and has two
or three terms each year. Most members take two or three courses per
term.
For more information about the Elderhostel Institute Network, please
visit the Elderhostel Institute Network web site at www.elderhostel.org/ein/intro.asp.
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May 10, 2008
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