E-news October, 2017

Senior College Elections

Congratulations to the three trustees elected at September’s annual meeting. They are John Economy of Winterport, Harry Kaiserian of Castine, and Arlin Larson of Belfast. Senior College is a self-governing 501c(3) non-profit corporation with a governing board chosen by the membership.

After the annual meeting, the new board of trustees gathered to elect officers for 2017-2018. They are Arlin Larson, president, Harry Kaiserian, vice-president, Jim Taber, treasurer, and David Boyer, secretary.

Friends,

In a couple weeks a group of us from Senior College at Belfast will be travelling to the Schoodic Institute for a symposium of northern Maine Senior Colleges. It is being sponsored by Downeast Senior College (Ellsworth) and the Maine Senior College Network. The purpose is to learn about each Senior College, get to know each other, and share ideas and concerns. The keynote speaker will be Anne Cardale, director of the Maine Senior College Network.

I am sure we will have a lot to report on in the next eNews, but there is one idea I have already gotten from the websites of other Maine Senior Colleges that I would like to share. It is the idea of Senior College clubs. Clubs are special interest groups. They are organized by senior college members with a common interest, are open to all members, and must have someone to serve as chair. They exist only as long as there is sufficient interest.

The Lewiston/Auburn Senior College, for instance, has an Outdoor Adventure Club that recently took a trip to Monhegan Island. They also have Dining-Around Club, Cross-County Skiing Club, and a Theater Club. In Portland, there is a History Book club, a Bridge Club, and a general Book Club. Senior College at Augusta has Dining Group, Walking Group, and two Book Discussion groups.

Is there any interest in such special interest groups at Senior College at Belfast? It is an interesting idea.

Best wishes,

Arlin Larson

Volunteers Needed to Help with Refreshments

As we near the end of the fall session I have heard many raves about the coffee. JoJo from Bell the Cat says he changed suppliers to someone in Portland, Maine. He says it is so much fresher.

Students at The Waldo County Technical Center have been baking away to provide a variety of snacks. They are learning to cook in large batches, which is, as we all know, quite different than doing small quantities. We are not charged for the surplus and leftovers are taken to the Belfast Soup Kitchen, where they are very much appreciated. I think you will agree that this is a win-win-win arrangement.

We do have some wonderful volunteers, but not enough, to help with the logistics of the breaks we enjoy so much. If you are able to help, either with the morning or afternoon break, please come to the office and let us know or give us a call at 338-8033.

Curriculum Committee

Your Curriculum Committee is hard at work lining up courses for both the Winterim and Spring 2018 semesters, and once again we will be offering a wide variety of choices, but we need your help to make it keep happening. If you have expertise and love for a particular subject or know of others who do, please step up to the plate. I can tell you from my four years of teaching at Belfast Senior College that there is nothing so rewarding as volunteering to share your passion–and it’s fun! We are in particular need of qualified instructors for literature and history courses this Winterim, but gladly consider any topic. We will be reviewing course proposals until November 22, so go to the Senior College website and click on “Faculty,” then “Course Proposal Form,” and check it out. You may just be in for the experience of a lifetime!

Lila Nation
Chair, Curriculum Committee