|
|
|
|
Dear WISE Members,
In my August blog, I highlighted some of the new and exciting things happening with WISE, and the many benefits of WISE membership. In this blog, I want to continue to tell you about a number of other new and exciting things.
Of course, our Fall courses are now well underway, with eighteen (18) wonderful courses that you are all enjoying, and eighteen (18) more that will start in October in B-session. We’ve added a number of great new Group Leaders in addition to many of our favorite Group Leaders who have returned to present new or, in some cases, repeats of very popular courses. The Curriculum Committee is already diligently at work lining up our courses for Winter and Spring terms.
This week, we conducted our September Council meeting and, during that meeting, the Council voted to create a new Outreach Committee. Growth and diversity is the lifeblood of any organization, and this new committee is already off to a great start in formulating plans for community outreach. They plan to get the word out to the Greater Worcester Community about the great benefits of WISE membership -- which, of course, you already know about! Remember that you, as members, are our best ambassadors, so don’t fail to get the word out to your friends and relatives about WISE. Also remember that you are welcome to invite a guest to attend one of our WISE classes with you, as long as the course isn’t filled.
Immediately after the Council voted to create the Outreach Committee, I appointed Pat Hurton as that committee’s chairperson. Pat is currently an at-large member of the WISE Council, and has been working creatively with a small group of other WISE members to lay the groundwork for this new effort, while leveraging off the great work that the Outreach Task Force did a year ago. She is now working to put together her committee, which will continue to enhance the work that has already been done.
Another change to the WISE organization is the appointment of Barbara Kupfer and Dianne Stoler to serve as the co-chairs of the Travel Committee. While we’ve had a Travel Committee for quite a while, the position of chairperson has been open. Barbara and Dianne have been hard at work, connecting with Collette Travel, to put together a wonderful trip to Costa Rica next June. You will hear much more about these plans in the weeks to come!
Those of you who have been WISE members for the past several years will, of course, remember the great events we enjoyed to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. Well, that was a few years ago, and we’re now in our 24th year. Of course, this means that next year is our 25th Anniversary year! We’re just starting to think about what events we want to plan for that celebration, so if you have some good ideas, or want to serve on a planning task force to help make it a memorable year, contact me, or Susan Perschbacher, WISE Director, or Pat Hurton, Outreach Chair.
One of the other new initiatives just getting started is the WISE Book Club. You recently received an e-mail about our new Book Club, and I encourage those of you who are interested to contact Joyce Abdow-Dowd at jadjd6@townisp.com.
As I’m sure you are all aware, WISE is largely a volunteer member-run organization, and we are always on the lookout for members to assist in the many activities we provide. The Travel Committee is presently looking for members. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact the chairs of that committee.
Our largest need for volunteers is for members to serve as Class Assistants. With about 18 courses each session, it is clear that we need many volunteers to fill that role. Being a Class Assistant is a fun job without a lot of work, but it is a great way for members, and especially new WISE members, to meet people and learn more about the organization. The Class Assistant serves as a liaison between the class participants, Group Leader, and WISE administration. While we’re pretty well set for Class Assistants to cover B-session courses, we are certainly looking for Class Assistants to cover the C and D session classes starting early next year. The only requirement to be a Class Assistant is a willingness to serve and the need to be enrolled in the class for which you are the CA. If you are interested, please contact Bobbi Corn, Class Assistant Coordinator, at bobbizcorn@gmail.com.
Another important and crucial role in the WISE Administration is the position of Vice President. Marsha Addis is the 1st Vice President, and just began her two-year term in that role. Presently, we have an opening for a 2nd Vice President. If you are interested in serving, or can suggest another member who is, please contact Zelda Schwartz, Nominating Committee Chair, at Zelda.paul@verizon.net.
Finally, I want to remind you that as a member-driven organization, we periodically conduct surveys to get your thoughts about a variety of issues related to your WISE membership and how the organization is run. Your feedback is invaluable in helping all of the administrators and committees make WISE the organization you want. Part 1 of the 2016 Survey, which contained the results of the short-answer questions, was posted a few months ago. That part is posted on both the Assumption College website (assumption.edu/wise) and on Wild Apricot (assumptionwise.org). Part 2 of the survey, which contains a summary of the textual questions about such things as courses you would like to see in the future, was completed by Marsha Addis and is now also posted on our Wild Apricot website.
Until next month!
Joe Corn, President
|
|
Mission Statement
The Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE) at Assumption College is a member-directed organization providing lifelong learning opportunities for older adults.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
