Comox Valley
ElderCollege History
When Elizabeth Smith and Betty Emery heard about Lifelong Learning organizations
for mature adults in September 1999, they were intrigued.
They found such organizations associated with colleges or universities in the United
States, the UK, Australia and Canada.
They dreamed of an organization here to provide daytime educational opportunities
(with no exams or papers) and volunteering opportunities to serve other seniors
either teaching or using their talents on committees.
They believed that if they could build on strengths and characteristics of older
adults, and put them in charge, they would succeed. Where, they asked? Why not at
North Island College, in the Comox Valley?
Since then, membership has grown from 431 in March 2000 to 951 in April 2010; quite
an accomplishment.
In 2005, ElderCollege was officially made a North Island College program. It operates
as a self-funding program within NIC's division of Industry Training and Continuing
Education, Comox Valley Campus. It continues to be run completely by volunteers.
Membership
The annual fee entitles members to register for courses and other learning opportunities.
The fee is set and there will be no refunds. Membership runs from September 1 to
August 31 and is renewable annually.
ElderCollege is about volunteers – course leaders, guest presenters, class
assistants, and committee members donate their time.
Course fees for Winter 2012
Comox Valley ElderCollege membership and short course fees are $10 + 1.20 tax ($11.20) and
full course fees, including the Lecture Series are $33 + 3.96 tax ($36.96).
Survey Results
In early February 2012, as part of the ElderCollege Strategic Plan, a survey was developed and
sent to 803 members. We received an exceptional response: 317 completed surveys were returned.
The emphasis for the survey was on Curriculum, Communications and Membership satisfaction.
Thank you to Roger Albert for all of his work on the survey and thank you to everyone who participated.
This information will be an invaluable tool for the Executive Committee as they continue to strive
to maintain an excellent program and to meet the needs of our membership.
To see the survey results, visit ElderCollege Survey Final Report 
.