Our Mission

Lifelong Learners: An Independent Collaborative (LLAIC) provides opportunities for intellectual development, cultural stimulation, personal growth, and social interaction for a diverse population of mature ­adults in a secular academic cooperative run by members who volunteer their time and talents. Courses are developed and led by peers. The operations are conducted by a self-governing body which is to be democratically elected by the members. Through its high quality courses and other learning and social activities, the Collaborative hopes to enhance, enrich and extend the quality of life of its members. How we operate is as important as our mission, and we seek to guide ourselves according to the following values:

Our Values

LLAIC is a member-driven organization which operates from the bottom up and the inside out. Participation takes the form of attending programs and also in volunteering to help organize and lead them. Those in leadership positions act on behalf of the membership. 

The success of LLAIC calls for and depends on open communication, mutual respect and transparency. 

We aspire to a culture in which ideas are openly voiced but can be challenged, and where differences are addressed and resolved amicably.

Further, we aspire to mount intellectually energizing and innovative offerings inside and outside the classroom and to promote social interaction in its activities.

We see a tolerant, warm and welcoming community diverse in age, political orientation, sexual orientation, ethnicity and religion, and which is secular in nature.

Finally, we strive to be an affordable organization, sensitive to costs and with scholarships available as needed.