What is the Retiree
Volunteer Program?
A new statewide initiative network for linking retirees with schools.
Who and What
Community college and university presidents are
joining local chapters of the State Universities Annuitants
Association Lifelong, a coalition of campus older learner
programs, and local schools to establish a Retiree Volunteer
Program.
Background
Throughout our educational system, retirees are
making a difference as tutors, mentors, and advocates for education.
They read with youngsters, discuss careers, tutor at-risk-students,
learn about computers, and share their many talents. But we haven't
tapped the potential.
The 65+ population will double by 2030 and organizations
for retirees are expanding. For example, the State Universities
Annuitants Association has 11,000 members. More than 60,000 older
adults take courses on community college and university campuses.
Many of these retirees say they are interested in helping in the
school, but according to Don Naylor, executive director of the
State Universities Annuitants Association, "a big stumbling
block is the lack of an organized effort."
Access to higher education is a priority of the
Illinois Board of Higher Education as described in the Illinois
Commitment. By fourth grade, however, many students are so far
behind, that their chance for college is all but lost.
We must balance the need and the resource represented
by retirees. On one side, we have thousands of children and young
people who could blossom with a little extra tutoring. On the
other, we have thousands of retirees who would be willing to give
an hour a week. The challenge is getting them together.
Why
It is a win/win idea. Students will have extra
help. Retirees will have meaningful involvement and create a legacy
for the future. Local schools will have enthusiastic educators
to help with reading and other school projects. Higher education
will receive better prepared students in the future. Illinois
will have an organized intergenerational system linking retirees
with schools and campuses.
SIU Carbondale
Pilot Project
On March 2, SIU Carbondale Chancellor Walter Wendler invited
a group to his conference room to discuss a partnership with local
schools. Representatives from the SIU Institute for Learning in
Retirement (ILR), the Emeritus Association, and the Retired Faculty
Association brainstormed with Superintendent Elizabeth Lewin,
campus leaders, and Wendler.
On March 30, a subcommittee met with Superintendent
Lewin and Curriculum Director Linda Meredith, District 95 School,
to develop ideas on what Ben shepherd dubbed, the delivery system.
The subcommittee reported back to the Chancellor and the main
group on April 23 with recommendations on the delivery system,
recruitment, myriad opportunities, and connecting retirees to
the school. David Christensen, ILR, and Emil Spees, Emeritus Association
chaired the yet-to-be-named group.
By the June 18 meeting, the Retired Faculty Association,
will develop a survey to determine the interests and talents of
retirees and their availability to volunteer in the schools. Chancellor
Wendler will host a recruitment and orientation session in the
fall to officially launch the program.
October 7 was the official launch with 50 retirees,
teachers, and principals joining Wendler and Superintendent Lewin
in focus groups to discuss three questions: 1) Other than funding,
what are the three most important educational needs for school?
2) How could retirees help address these needs? 3) How can we
involve retirees?
Recommendations from SIUC Focus
Groups
A. Other than funding, needs in education?
- Parental Involvement and role models: from
adults who care about the students, one-on-one contact with a
child can be very beneficial.
- Teachers: They have so many demands on their time from teaching,
testing, state mandates, and so forth.
- Community involvement and commitment to the schools. They need
to know we care.
B. How can retirees address the need identified?
- Be there for teachers, students, and parents
and tell the stories about the good things happening.
- Give individual attention, particularly one-on-one tutoring
in reading, math, and other disciplines.
- Talent Bank: Talks, demonstrations, careers, special events,
field trips, and so forth, in areas of expertise.
C. How can we involve other retirees?
- Just ask!
- Publicity: Church bulletins, newspapers, brochures, service
clubs, and so forth.
- Contact retirees before they retire.
The school district will host an orientation
session for the new volunteers and a December meeting will celebrate
the accomplishments.
John Wood Community College Pilot Project
President William Simpson convened Sherry Sparks, representing
the older learner program and Carla Gosney representing RSVP to
discuss the beginning steps and timeline for developing a Retiree
Volunteer Program John Wood has a model in place from the renowned
Retiree and Senior Volunteer Program, which is part of the Corporation
for National Service and the Illinois Department on Aging.
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