SOME HISTORY: Capilano University in North Vancouver, B.C. is now in its 22nd year of offering Eldercollege programs for those over age 55. We are patterning our Eldercollege programme for Windsor, Essex County and West Kent County on that well developed Capilano University model.

But, we are adding something entirely unique and that is our Courses are offered in multiple locations in Windsor and Essex County.

This uniqueness was recognised in a Resolution unanimously approved in the Ontario Legislature on May 12^th, 2011. The Resolution seeking Ontario Government support for development of Eldercollege programes in Ontario used Canterbury Eldercollege as its model.

We are developing Eldercollege under the auspices of Canterbury College an affiliate College of the University of Windsor. In the long-term, we hope to be able to offer Eldercollege courses in the City of Windsor all Municipalities throughout Essex County.

WHAT IS ELDERCOLLEGE? Eldercollege provides learning opportunities for older adults who wish to enrich their lifestyle through active involvement education and contribute to the social and cultural development of their communities.

Eldercollege participants design and offer quality educational activities to stimulate interest in learning and to provide a forum for sharing ideas and knowledge and social experience with others.

Members can lead study groups, serve on the Eldercollege board and its committees, and be study group participants, and, most importantly, Take Courses!. Activities are both planned and operated by members to maintain a high quality offering at a minimum cost. And, it is all done by Seniors.

If you enjoy thinking and creativity and you want to stimulate your mind, then consider Eldercollege either to take a course or more or to "Facilitate a Course for others..

WHAT TYPES OF COURSES? In duration courses can run from one-half day to not more than 8 Sessions over 1 to 6 weeks. Courses are developed by "Facilitators" and may be offered by those same Facilitators or by others as Guests arranged by a Facilitator.

Courses are offered only during week days and never in evenings or on weekends. Courses are offered in locations more convenient to persons over age 55 such as libraries, community centres, seniors’ centres and residences, arts and recreation centres and such other locations as may both suit a course or can be arranged by a Facilitator.

Diversity of Courses makes the Eldercollege concept so appealing. Some examples of courses offered at Canterbury Eldercollege in Autumn 2011 include: Elderlaw or Law For Seniors; Islamic Art; Opera Talks; Cities of the World; Growing Orchids; The Art and Culture of Japan; A Toledo Art Museum Bus Trip; Origins of Canadian Literature; Smartphones: Complementary Therapies; Introduction to Curling; Classics in the County with the Windsor Symphony–Lectures on Music and Musicians; Interesting and Unusual Foods Found in Your Supermarket; Introduction to Wines; Introduction to Painting; Painting on Glass; Memories and Your Family History; Digital Photography; All You Wanted to know About Canadian Government and Politics But Were Afraid to ask Your Mother!"; Photography as Art–Art as Photography; Managing Your Retirement Investments; Independent Travel; Music–So You Want To Be a Rockstar?"; Retirement Planning or Preparing for Very Long Weekends.

FINANCING ELDERCOLLEGE: Eldercollege could not exist without money and donations-in-kind. Rarely, for example would any payment be offered for Facilitating a course–it is driven by volunteer work. But to sustain, Eldercollege requires funding. Funding can come from several sources. We are developing a full/part-time office at Canterbury College responsible for all aspects of the Eldercollege programme delivery including publications, advertising, course scheduling, liaison with the University of Windsor, liaison with Sponsors, finance and accounting, Course Registrations and much more.

1. Any Person taking a Course or Courses pays a Course Fees. For example: Courses with fewer that 4 Hours (½ Day) $25; Courses up to a total of 8 Hours - $35; and maximum length Courses 12 - 16 Hours – $45. There also will be a "Buffet-Course Option" of $105 with a "Significant Other" Option for two persons of $195 (for all the courses you wish in One Semester; does not include any Courses involving bus trips). Some Courses have additional fees for supplies and materials and everybody pays the HST!

2. Government Grants–we are pursuing financial support from the Province and we did receive a small "start-up" grant from the Provincial minister Responsible for Seniors.. We have requested "Bridging Finance" for from 3 to 5 years. We are awaiting the Provincial response. Grants from other Grant funding Agencies will be pursued .

3. Sponsorships - Companies interested in supporting the Eldercollege concept, such as Retirement Centre management companies, will be invited to become durational lead sponsors (a duration is defined as three consecutive years). Sponsors may also donate in-kind including services, facilities and essential supplies (eg. cookies/coffee/tea).

4. Donations - Eldercollege would benefit from individual donations and including Estate donations. Donations to Eldercollege will be administered in Trust by Canterbury College.

THE LOGISTICS OF COURSE DELIVERY: Courses are arranged or delivered by "Facilitators". A Course Facilitator can offer an entire Course; part of a Course; or arrange for others to deliver segments of a Course or even an entire Course.

Courses can be as short as one-half day or as many as Eight Sessions over a One to Four week period. Generally a Course should be designed to attract a number of people. Some Courses may require limited enrollments due to facilities or space limitations.

Courses are always offered between approximately 9:30am until 4:30pm. No courses are offered on weekends or evenings. (We don’t want Members driving in rush hour or at night!)

Courses are offered in diverse and, we hope, convenient locations. For example, courses are scheduled in Public Libraries, Seniors Residential Centres; Churches; Community Centres–both Seniors and Recreational; Wineries; Arts Centres and Clubs; or, wherever enough interested people can gather to offer a viable and valuable course.

Some Courses do require a small added Supplementary fee (eg. A Gourmet Food course held in restaurants). Some courses also may necessitate a small Honorarium for a special guest participant (eg, travel expenses). Normally, neither Facilitators nor Guest Participants are remunerated.

WHO DECIDES ON WHAT COURSES ARE OFFERED? A key component of Canterbury’s Eldercollege Program is its "Curriculum Committees". Have an idea for a course you would like to take or a course you would like to Facilitate–then develop your idea as a Proposal to be considered by either the City of Windsor or County Curriculum Committees. We are talking "brain-food" and creativity so many things may be considered as Courses and–remember–No Assignments & No Exams & No Credits Towards Anything but Yourself!

WHO ARE COURSE FACILITATORS? Well, actually, you could be one. Facilitating a course does not mean teaching a course, rather, it means organising and delivering a course. The course may feature you or it feature one or more people you have recruited to deliver the course. You can develop a course as a ""Facilitator" but finding a few people who DO know about the Cosmos to Deliver your course. Then, you sit back, enjoy the course and learn.

HOW DOES ONE GET A COURSE DEVELOPED? Prepare a "Proposed Course Outline"–we have forms available–and submit it to your local Curriculum Committee or our Administrator. Catherine Fettes at fettesc@uwindsor.ca