ENCORE (Exploring New Concepts Of Retirement Education) offers short-term courses, which are often lead by members and cover a wide range of topics, including science, health, art, music, literature, history, writing, religion and current events.
...just plenty of enjoyment, enrichment, and friendship! ENCORE provides life-long learning opportunities for older students. It is sponsored by Clatsop Community College, but is run entirely by its members.
ENCORE is an association of retirement-age people who share a love of learning. Established in 2001 by a steering committee of retired adults, ENCORE is sponsored by Clatsop Community College.
ENCORE is a membership organization open to adults 50 year of age or older who enjoy intellectual stimulation and the opportunity to meet new friends. Dues are paid annually entitling members to enroll in any of the ENCORE courses. The only additional fees may be minimal costs for class materials. Click here to Join!
ENCORE holds classes both on and off campus at many locations in Astoria, Warrenton and Seaside. Classes meet only during the daytime.
ENCORE provides life-long learning opportunities for older adults. It is sponsored by Clatsop Community College, but is run entirely by its members. Members decide what they want to learn and how they want to learn it. They conduct their own classes, invite guest speakers, discuss current events, read books and plays and keep their minds active.
Because of ENCORE’s affiliation with the college, members are entitled to several privileges, including use of the College Library, inter-library loan privileges (members must pay any fees assessed for the books ordered) and use of the computers in the library reference area.
Invite your friends! Anyone interested in the ENCORE experiencemay "try a class for free"! Your friends may enjoy one session only of any class at no cost or obligation. We know they'll want more!
The ENCORE membership year is from September 1 through August 31. The dues schedule is also from September through August.
New and renewing members pay $50 in September. Payment of dues qualifies members to attend as many classes as they like each quarter during the school year. Dues are reduced to $25 for individuals joining after the winter quarter, which ends in March. There are usually six to eight classes offered each quarter.
Payment of dues qualifies members to attend as many classes as they like each quarter. Usually there are six to eight classes from which to choose.
Classes are planned to follow the Clatsop Community College quarterly schedule, if possible. ENCORE does not offer summer classes, although there may be a picnic or summer social event to which all members are invited.
Members may invite non-member friends to attend two sessions of any of the classes for free. To continue in a class, they must then join ENCORE. Free class certificates are available from the Membership Committee.
Scholarships Are Available
In order to include all interested participants in ENCORE activities, the Board reminds members that financial help for ENCORE membership and class materials is available. Any interested person is encouraged to call the President. All information is confidential.
January 2000 – Kitty Paino, Dean of Continuing Education and Rose Alsbury, Continuing Education Coordinator at Clatsop Community College started researching Learning in Retirement programs to provide local opportunities for seniors and augment the Elderhostel program.
August 2000 – In August, Rose attended the ALIROW (Association of Learning in Retirement Organizations in the West) regional conference in Portland.
April 2001 – The College sent Rose and Jeri Olson to a biennial ALIROW conference in California. This conference jump-started the process and announcements of an organizational meeting were sent out.
May 2001 – Interested persons showed up to organize ENCORE.
August 2001 – A public meeting was held to attract members. Facilitated by temporary committee members who had worked all summer, the meeting attracted 100 people, and 65 joined the group.
October 2001 – ENCORE's first six classes were held. First General Membership meeting was held. Officers were elected, and committees approved. Director was Dorothy Scott, Assistant Director was Tom Bell, Secretary was Doris Holce, Treasurer was Joan James, Member at Large was Helen McDaniel, Curriculum Chair was Anne Splane Phillips and Membership Chair was June Gammon.
Since 2001, ENCORE classes have covered everything from Shakespeare to Gardening to Science to Sustainable Living, and people over 50 continue to join and enjoy the classes friendships in ENCORE.