Original Query from Dick Shultz, The Learning Institute For Elders (LIFE), Burlington County
College, Pemberton, New Jersey.
We have been tasked by the College to provide a "Mission Statement." We would appreciate copies of such that have been written by other LIRs. I know this must have been addressed in the past, but we have not taken advantage of any responses, and so I apologize. Please respond to Linda Bennett, lbennett@bcc.edu. If you wish to use snail mail, the address is: Linda Bennett, LIFE, Burlington County College, County Route 530, Pemberton, New Jersey, 08068-9987. Thank you.

From Sarah Benton, Community Academy for Lifelong Learning, State College, PA
Last year we wrote our Community Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL) mission statement. It is as follows: “CALL is an educational and social organization whose mission is to provide mature adults with educational programs, stimulating tours and trips, and a variety of social events, all at a low cost, thereby enhancing the vitality of the Centre Region and its surrounding communities. CALL is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization that fosters links with many community entities in Centre County.” Hope this helps.

From Stephen Appel, ILR, University of Cincinnati, OH
Here's the Cincinnati mission statement: “To offer mature men and women a wide variety of discussion seminars based on the "peer learning" concept; to make available to the retired community an opportunity to learn in an informal and relaxed environment; to provide opportunities to expand knowledge and explore new ideas. ILR is a member-managed program devoted to the idea that living is learning.”

“The Institute for Learning in Retirement does not discriminate in its admissions or programs on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientations or handicap.”

From Connie Criscuolo, Mary Washington ElderStudy, Fredericksburg, Virginia
I think our mission is pretty well covered in our Constitution under Article III - Purpose: The purpose of Mary Washington ElderStudy, as an outreach of Mary Washington College, shall be to provide the organization and structure to facilitate learning through joint study and interaction among interested retirement-age persons in the community. Self-directed and self-disciplined learners with common interests shall form self-coordinated groups to study and discuss topics of their choice. Focus shall be on membership participation in a cooperative and democratic manner.