WISE New Member Orientation

1. WISENew Member Orientation WISE New Member Orientation

2. New Member Orientation Group Coordinator: Kathy Drew Participants: WISE Executive Committee WISE Committee Chairs or Representatives Jill Lagana, WISE Office Manager and Member Services Bob Dyer, Tour Guide WISE New Member Orientation

3. WISE Mission Statement The Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE) at Assumption College, is a not-for-profit, member-directed organization providing lifelong learning opportunities for older adults WISE New Member Orientation

4. History - I WISE founded in 1993 by • Thelma Lockwood • Jean Griesheimer • Marijane Jones • Shirley Weinstein • Maddie Levine • Hy Cohen • Betty McGrath • Charlene Martin, Director WISE New Member Orientation

5. History - II In the summer of1992, Over 300 persons came to an information session at Assumption College. More than 100 people signed up for the first semester. In 2019, WISE membership total, with summer participants, is over 500 members. In the 2018 –2019 academic year we: Conducted more than 80 courses Held 8 special events including Brown Bag Lectures, Museum Trips, Holiday and Annual Meeting Luncheons and Worcester Night Out WISE New Member Orientation

6. Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) Movement • WISE is part of a national organization, Road Scholar (formerly Elder Hostel) that coordinates lifelong learning programs across the United States. Currently there are 21 programs in Massachusetts, 65 in New England, and approximately 400 in the United States. The Road Scholar ambassador provides support services through a newsletter and a chat line as weel as a yearly conference. WISE New Member Orientation

7. WISE Organization WISE New Member Orientation

8. WISE Committees & Groups WISE New Member Orientation

9. WISE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WISE is a volunteer run organization. Two paid staff members run the office, coordinate the program, and intersect with the college leadership and organization. The paid staff include the Director Susan Perschbacher, and the Office Manager Jill Lagana. Members of the Executive Committee, Committee Chairs, and Committee members are volunteers whose hours of dedication contribution ensure the smooth running of the program and the quality of WISE learning opportunities. WISE New Member Orientation

10. Our Leadership Team • President : Tej Maini • Director : Susan Perschbacher • Treasurer : Sue Tellier • Secretary : Donna Crocker WISE New Member Orientation

11. Our Committee Chairs • Communications: Karl Hakkarainen • Curriculum : Barbara Groves • Finance : Sue Tellier • Nominating : Zelda Schwartz • Special Events : Cookie Nelson WISE New Member Orientation

12. Benefits Of Membership In WISE- I --Enroll in as many courses as you choose to take. --Attend Brown Bag Lectures --At-cost Museum Trips and Luncheons --Participation in Special Interest Groups and Clubs --Contributing as a volunteer in the running of the WISE Program WISE New Member Orientation

13. Benefits of Being Part of the Assumption College Campus • Use of the D’Alzon Library Facilities • Discounted lunches at Taylor Dining Hall • Discounted membership at Plourde Recreation Center • Attendance at Human Arts Programs, Lectures, Movies and Films • Discounted Tickets to Theater Performances • Music and Sports Events WISE New Member Orientation

14. WISE & Lifelong Learning - I • Being a member of a learning community • Sharpening our minds • Perpetuating our education • Promoting our education • Promoting an engaged lifestyle • Increasing our understanding of the world around us WISE New Member Orientation

15. WISE & Lifelong Learning - II • Fulfilling our curiosity • Helping us to understand the environment • Feeling more integrated into life around us • Keeping active • Promoting a better quality of life WISE New Member Orientation

16. Program Offerings - I • Architecture • Art • Audubon • Culture • Current Events • Drama • Economics • Education • Environment • Film • Finance • Health • History • Law WISE New Member Orientation

17. Program Offerings - II • Military • Music • Nature • News • Philosophy • Poetry • Politics • Religion • Science • Sociology • Technology • Theater • Travel • Writing WISE New Member Orientation

18. Program Offerings - III • Brown Bag Lunches • Baseball Club • Book Club • Movie Club • Special Interest Groups • Excursions WISE New Member Orientation

19. Venues For Courses • Assumption College Campus • The Willows of Worcester • Southgate Retirement Community • Briarwood Community Center • Worcester Jewish Community Center • Worcester Art Museum • Mass Audubon Meadow Brook center • Tower Hill Botanic Garden WISE New Member Orientation

20. Guidelines for Course Attendees • Give yourself ample time to park & to come early to class • The first two rows in the Lecture Hall are reserved for people with hearing or visual impairments or who have mobility concerns • While it is important to participate in discussions, it is critical to note that: • No one person should dominate the discussion • Conversation among individuals during presentation is discouraged WISE New Member Orientation

21. Course Evaluations • The course evaluations are a very important part of the WISE process • The evaluations assist WISE to: • Assess the effectiveness of our courses and Group Leaders • Make improvements where necessary • Develop new courses based on member interest. • Please complete the evaluation forms & return then to the Class Assistant WISE New Member Orientation

22. Parking Parking Permit Stickers and Assumption College ID Cards • Parking Permit Stickers are required for all vehicles on Assumption campus. They can be purchased on campus on Tuesday, August 13th or Wednesday, August 14th from 8:00 – 12:00 in the foyer of the Maison Building, and from 11:00 – 12:30 on Tuesday, September 3rdat the New Member Orientation. After that you must go to the Public Safety/Campus Policy office in the lower level of the Kennedy Building. • For the sticker you need 3 things: Application for parking permit form (provided by WISE), car registration, and $15.00. • The $15.00 (cash or checks payable to Assumption College) is collected by the WISE office. WISE New Member Orientation

23. Assumption College ID Cards • College IDs are useful for discounted meals at Taylor Dining Hall and entry to the D’Alzon Library. • The IDs are obtained in the Public Safety/Campus Police office which is located on the ground level of the Kennedy Building. • These can be obtained after September 16th in the late afternoons. WISE New Member Orientation

24. Parking on Assumption College Campus • Handicapped parking is available in designated areas • The Chapel Parking Structure (located on the left side of the campus) has available parking spaces. This involves a short walk to the Kennedy Building. • Campus parking space availability is not controlled of WISE—we share the campus with faculty, students, and staff. Members find parking by coming to class early or by parking in the garage and walking across the campus. WISE New Member Orientation

25. Weather Alert • Class cancellations are announced by Email to all class enrollees • Announcements are also on the WISE Office Voicemail (508.767.7513) • No classes are held when Assumption College closes for weather-related conditions • Please use your own discretion when coming out in inclement weather WISE New Member Orientation

26. WISE Office Contact Information • 508-767-7513 • wise@assumption.edu • WISE Office Hours • Office Location: La Maison, Room 203 • Monday -- Thursday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm • Friday -- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm • WISE Office Manager Jill Lagana WISE New Member Orientation

27. Questions WISE New Member Orientation