LEARNING IN RETIREMENT From Kelowna, BC: "WELCOME - WHO WE ARE” "Established in 1994, SLR Society for Learning in Retirement is a voluntary non-profit, tax- exempt, equal opportunity organization meeting the educational interests and needs of retired persons in the Central Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada. SLR is open to all 50+ retired and semi-retired persons who share a love of the camaraderie of learning regardless of their formal education. "OUR PHILOSOPHY” Peer Learning / Collaborative Leadership / Active Participation "Peer teaching and learning are at the heart of the SLR program. Group leaders encourage students to actively particpate in their own learning. While these study leaders will not always be experts, they are also learners, engaged in a joint learning enterprise. Our small group sizes contribute to a lively and fun learning environment. Participants are generally encouraged, but not required or pressured, to give brief presentations." THIRD AGE LEARNING Google Third Age and you'll find a wide variety of uses of the term, only one of which relates specifically to seniors. So let's take the use Peter Laslett made of it in his 1989 book A Fresh Map of Life: The Emergence of the Third Age when he "used the 'third age' to characterize that period of our life span when work takes on less importance, and avocational endeavors, friendships and life's closure occupy more time." From Ontario: Third Age Network, an association of lifelong learning groups in Ontario, defines their mission "…to foster third age learning in Ontario and share issues and solutions to common organizational challenges." As examples, Third Age Learning, Kitchener-Waterloo (TAL-KW) offers "eclectic, continuing- education challenges for active, mature minds…." and Third Age Learning at Kwantlen (TALK) offers learning that is "….lively, full of discussion, controversy, humour, insight and wisdom." Both are "self- managed groups of seniors providing opportunities for members to share learning experiences…." ELDER COLLEGES From North Island College (NIC) on Vancouver Island: "ElderCollege is designed for students who are looking for a unique community of adult learners. There are no exams, no grades, and no pressure; it's all about learning for fun!" That is the goal of North Island College, where ElderCollege membership is open to anyone aged 50+ (in Comox Valley, 55+). At NIC's ElderCollege you can o Learn in a focused, relaxed environment o Participate on the ElderCollege Advisory Committee and course planning o Share your expertise with others o Enjoy NIC library privileges o Find social and networking opportunities" .