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This is a reprint of the article that resides on the new International
Network for Universities of the Third Age website - www.worldu3a.org.
Be sure to visit them soon.
The first known Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) in the United
States was called the Institute for Retired Professionals, created in 1962
in New York City under the sponsorship of the New School for Social Research.
During the subsequent 25 years, news of the concept spread, primarily by
word of mouth and with little media attention. It was imitated or adapted
at other institutions of higher learning, until about fifty such programs
existed by 1988. In that year, thirty ILRs collaborated with Elderhostel,
Inc. to form a voluntary association known as the Elderhostel Institute
Network (EIN). The goals of EIN were to help establish new institutes, provide
resources and services to established institutes and develop an all-inclusive
organization of institutes for learning in retirement.
Between 1988 and 1999 more than 200 new ILRs were started in North America
under the aegis of EIN. Each independent institute who became an affiliate
of EIN paid annual dues to help support the services of the national office.
Dues to EIN by the ILRs did not cover expenses, however, and the majority
of EIN's financial support was supplied by Elderhostel, Inc.
Although each institute was unique and slightly different from each
other, there were three things each had in common. The first was that
each institute was sponsored by a host college/university to ensure
academic integrity and so members would have access to the many benefits
of being located on a campus of higher learning. The second commonality
was encouraging older learners to take "ownership" of their institute
by becoming members and paying dues to support it. The last similarity
was encouraging volunteer participation by members in their institute,
which helps develop a real sense of community among older learners.
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In 2002, it was decided that the time had come for some changes. The learning
in retirement movement was now a mature entity, having been part of the
national educational scene since 1962. Established institutes did not need
the same level of services from EIN as in the past, and many did not want
to continue paying dues. Although EIN was still helping start new ILRs,
even that work had become more streamlined as there were many examples from
which to draw.
Going back to the original intent of EIN to develop an all-inclusive organization
of ILRs, it was apparent that was not happening as ILRs continued to drop
out of EIN. So Elderhostel, Inc. in conjunction with EIN staff and ILR representatives,
made the decision to drop the dues all together. Services were streamlined
even more and EIN has now become a "virtual" organization with services
provided via the Elderhostel website. This has enabled the EIN staff to
take on other Elderhostel duties along with their EIN responsibilities.
As a result, membership in EIN has risen dramatically over these last three
months. From a low of about 215 ILRs, there are now just over 300 ILRs who
belong to EIN. It is hoped that as time goes on, even more will join. EIN
estimates that there are about 500 such institutes across North America.
Along with dropping dues, it was recently decided by the committee who represent
all the ILRs, to invite programs for older adults that demonstrate high
academic standards, but do not necessarily have a college/university connection,
to join EIN too. There are between 300-500 of these programs as well, bringing
the North American total for learning programs for older adults to around
1,000. It is quite clear that the future of the learning in retirement movement
is very secure and will continue to grow, well into the 21st century.
To learn more about institutes for learning in retirement, now called lifelong
learning institutes (LLIs), and the Elderhostel Institute Network, please
visit www.elderhostel.org. Click on the About
Us button and scroll down to the Elderhostel Institute Network link, or
go directly to http://www.elderhostel.org/ein/intro.asp.
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May 9, 2008
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