Emeritus classes and kickoffs important to community

The Emeritus Plus 50 Program is offering a free "Summer 2011 Back-to-School Kickoff" next month.

The kickoff will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 15, in the mezzanine of Crockett Hall and in the Brazos Gallery, Room C-140. Since Richland is going paper free, the Emeritus Program will no longer print booklets. The kickoff is intended to help people learn about summer classes and register for them.

Instructors will be available at the kickoff to provide information on their classes and Bob Guess, owner of Senior Financial Services, will provide door prizes. Coffee and cookies will be served.

The program was formerly called the Emeritus Program. Now, its official name is the Emeritus Plus 50 Program, since it's geared to those age 50 and over.

Emeritus Director Mitzi Werther said the program has been on a grant for three years, expiring in April.

"The grant is over, but we want to continue with the program we have," Werther said. "Because of the economic conditions we see many more of the Emeritus folks working longer."  

The Emeritus Program also has a Boomer Program for those over age 40 who are still in the job market. Werther said that they are also working longer and looking for jobs.

Another change concerns Emeritus students and the computer world.

"Our thrust and big push is to get all of our seniors savvy in the electronic world," Werther said.  Some seniors tell her that they don't have a computer, and they never want one.

Werther said she tells them, "I understand how you feel, but I'm here to tell you that you will be totally out of the loop."  She recommends taking the novice computer classes and using a computer in a library or at a relative's home to learn about what's going on in the world, especially regarding health and medications.  

"Otherwise, you depend on what you hear on TV and about half the time, it isn't even true," she said. "We want to have something for everyone, but we can't force them to take a drink. We can lead them to Richland, but we can't make them register."

A third change is a new event (a summer kickoff) which has never been done before.

The event, "50 Ways to Enjoy Your Summer," will feature Laughter Yoga leader, Eric Post from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 3 in Guadalupe Hall, Room G-140 (small gym). He will conduct a laughter session consisting of easy stretches, breathing practices and an assortment of international laughter techniques.

Laughter Yoga has appeared on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," the "Dr. Oz Show," and "Dancing with the Stars," among others. Richland dance instructor Richard Rogers will also teach beginning line dance.

Werther said she expects all ages of people for this event, since laughter yoga is good exercise, yet not too strenuous.

More retirement communities are partnering with Richland's Emeritus Program, another  big change. There are a total of eight, the newest ones being Monticello West, C. C. Young and Churchill Estates, all in Dallas.

"I bring all the lecturers to them. I research, find and bring them to the retirement communities. The lecturers are paid," Werther said.

Werther said the feedback she gets from the recipients at the retirement communities is that the lecturers are the "brightest point in their month."

"The focus from my point of view is to bring the same high-level lectures to independent living residents as we have here at Richland," she said. "Retirement facilities need and want educational lectures, not just fun and games. I bring them high level, thoughtful presentations where they can continue to learn, and that is what they need and want."  

Based on Emeritus and Boomer class enrollments and contact hours, Werther said that "In the 2008 calendar year, we had approximately 3,500 enrollments. In the 2010 calendar year, we have had almost 3,900. Our non-credit offerings have slowed somewhat as our credit classes have increased because they are run in the same time frame."

Also, Werther said, they always need help with volunteer tutors for their conversation partners, reading assistance programs and tutor/mentor programs.

"Our volunteers are priceless," Werther said. "We could not run our program without them. This is a plea for more."

For information about any of the Emeritus programs, events or to volunteer, call 972-238-6972 or go to www.richlandcollege.edu/emeritus.