The Five College Learning in Retirement Program depends on its members to do just about everything that is needed to provide an interesting, quality program for retired people in the Pioneer Valley. We organize seminars, workshops, trips, special programs, meetings, and events. This takes a lot of creative effort by members, and it is done through standing and ad hoc committees and sub-committees.
Appointments to committee membership are for three-year terms. New appointments are made each year to ensure a continuing supply of new people and new ideas. This rotation offers a wonderful opportunity for new and recent members to get creatively involved and to get to know other members better. Our organizational year is from July 1 to the next June 30.
Each year we ask members to indicate what committee(s) they would volunteer to serve on. This list is used to select new committee members, as openings occur during the year.
Committee Descriptions
Communications
The committee initiates and coordinates our messaging both internally and externally. The Newsletter and the Website fall under the umbrella of this committee.
Curriculum
Oversees the central mission of LIR. This committee meets monthly and is charged with all aspects of maintaining a diverse offering up to 25 peer-led seminars and workshops every Fall and Spring, plus shorter Summer seminars/workshops.
Encore
Collects and organizes recommended presentations from the previous semester’s seminars and makes them available to the membership and the public on Friday mornings.
Extra-Curricular
Coordinates supplementary programs, field trips, and other events, primarily during the Summer and Winter intersessions.
Great Decisions
In conjunction with the Foreign Policy Association, this committee organizes a series of lectures each spring that are open to LIR members and to the public for a modest fee.
Interest Groups
The committee coordinates and facilitates a variety of informal interest groups (books, films, opera, politics) that meet on Zoom or in members’ homes.
Special Programs
This committee finds, manages, and offers one-of-a-kind programs or series or programs, usually open to the public as well as the membership. Fees may be charged for attendance. Presenters or performers are often compensated with an honorarium.
Social Events
The committee organizes social events several times a year, including a fall picnic and an annual New Members’ “Coffee”.
Technology
The members of this committee offer workshops, how-to guides, and individual personal assistance regarding the multiple technologies and software used by LIR members, e.g. Zoom, and PowerPoint.
Governance Committees
Executive
The committee is comprised of the six LIR elected Officers. It has general supervision over the affairs of 5CLIR as directed by Council. It may act on time-sensitive and confidential matters in the name of Council, subject to approval of Council at the next meeting.
Finance
The Finance Committee is comprised of the treasurer, assistant treasurer, the Vice President, the past president and two other members nominated by the president and approved by Council. The committee advises the treasurer and works on financial development.
Nominating
The nominating supervises the nominations for officers and Council and their election. The committee consists of a chair, who is a member of Council, and four additional LIR voting members, at least two of whom are not current Council members. Current officers may not serve on the committee. The president nominates the members and Council approves.