Alana Gowdy
Special to The Record
For many seniors in the Comox Valley, each new year brings an especially welcome event. The Comox Valley ElderCollege once again offers its free Information Forum. Held at North Island College, this valuable session heralds a new semester of exciting courses.
The forum is useful both to people who are considering ElderCollege for the first time and to those, like Moya Fleming, who have been members for many years. “I signed up on the very first day that ElderCollege existed,” remembers Moya. “One of the courses I took was in children’s literature. We all enjoyed it so much, when the semester ended we formed a book club. It’s still going strong.” Still thriving, like ElderCollege, after 16 years.
The major change to ElderCollege over the years is one of growth. ElderCollege has so many more members, courses, course leaders, lectures, and volunteers. There are now over 180 volunteers who make ElderCollege happen.
The semester will run from February to March and classes will be held Monday to Friday during the day, with the lectures series on Saturday mornings. Courses are offered once a week for eight, six or four weeks, or once on a single afternoon. This semester, topics will range from uranium to ukuleles, from environmentalism to local government, from bridge to bees.
Everyone aged 55 or more is invited to attend this useful information forum. Course leaders will present a two-minute summary of what they have to offer and details of the lecture series will be provided.
The Comox Valley ElderCollege Information Forum will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m. - noon in the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College.
This free popular event fills the theatre every semester. The equivalent of a ‘Sold Out’ sign will go on the door when seats are filled, so early arrival is advised.
ElderCollege changes registration process
Comox Valley ElderCollege is using a new method of course registration.
Members will be split into two groups. It is essential for members to know their CVEC student number/ID as this is the key to a new staggered approach.
Everyone registering for a CVEC course must have a student ID number.
Members who have already taken courses should check their membership cards or earlier course confirmation forms.
People who are enrolling in ElderCollege courses for the first time need to obtain their membership before registering.
This is available at North Island College Discovery Hall or online nic.bc.ca/ec where membership is obtained under Search Courses, Type-ElderCollege, Location-Comox Valley.
On Monday, Jan. 18 at 9 a.m., registration will be open to CVEC members whose student number/ID ends in 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.
On Tuesday Jan. 19, at 9 a.m. registration will be available for those members whose ID ends in 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
Wednesday, Jan. 20 is open for any places that remain. Either online or in person registration can be used.
It is important to note that on Monday only half of the places in each course will be available. The other half will be opened on Tuesday. If the relevant half is filled in a preferred course, members can ask to be added to the waiting list on either Monday or Tuesday. A random draw will be made for the available places. To be placed on a waiting list, members should contact Shirley Reynolds at 250-334-5000, ext. 4602 or Susan Billie at 250-334-5000, ext. 5005.