Membership Policies and Procedures*

INTRODUCTION ICL is a self-directed academic program. At the same time, ICL is part of Willamette University and operates under the general oversight of the University to ensure consistency with University values and policies.

1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP ICL membership is available to retired and semi-retired individuals over 50, who: (a) have an interest in life-long learning within the Willamette University environment, (b) have the time and desire to attend classes, (c) are willing to contribute to the academic programs and/or administration of ICL, (d) agree to provide support to Willamette University, its faculty and students, in achieving the mission and goals of the University.

2. LIMIT ON MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS ICL membership is limited to 160.

3. INTERNET ACCESS Applicants for membership must have access to the Internet and email.

4. APPLICATION PROCESS Applicants for membership should apply by email using the “icl-inquiry” link on the ICL home page. The Director of Membership Services will then send an application form seeking information on applicants’ educational background and special skills, in particular skills they are willing to contribute to ICL by means of presentations or administration.

5. WAITING LIST On receipt of each completed application form, the Membership Director will assign the applicant to the waiting list of prospective members in the order of receipt of the application. The Membership Director will then inform each applicant of the applicant’s position on the list, and the projected approximate waiting time.

6. ATTENDANCE AS A GUEST After being assigned to the waiting list, each applicant is encouraged to attend a limited number of classes per year as a guest of an existing ICL member. (For Guest Policy, click here).

7. ANNUAL CONTACT The Membership Director will inform all applicants on the waiting list annually to ascertain their continued interest in the program, and to renew the invitation to attend as a guest, in conformity with ICL’s guest policy.

8. NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE Applicants on the waiting list should inform the Membership Director promptly of any change in their email address or change in desire to become a member.

9. ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS New members are admitted to ICL twice a year, at the beginning of either the Fall or Spring semester. The number of applicants admitted will depend on the number of open positions, so as to bring membership up to a maximum total of 160. Each applicant being admitted to ICL will be introduced and welcomed at the opening session of either the Fall or Spring semester. The introduction will be made by an ICL member familiar with the applicant or, failing that, by the Membership Director.

10. PRE-ADMISSION PROCESS The Membership Director will notify, as far as possible in advance, applicants to whom membership will likely be offered in the next year. Those applicants who indicate unwillingness or inability to join ICL at the projected time will be given the option of going to the bottom of the waiting list or being removed from the list. (a) After the applicant has been notified that his/her membership could be offered in the next year, it is expected that the applicant will make arrangements with the Membership Director to attend at least two ICL sessions as a visitor. (b) After completing requirement 10(a), the applicant will notify the Membership Director that the visiting requirement has been fulfilled. The Membership Director will then arrange an interview with at least two ICL members and the applicant. (c) During the interview, the applicant will be informed of the expectations of an ICL member (see Items 1. and 11.) and will also be informed of the bylaws and expectations of an ICL member as a part of the University Community. (d) The Membership Director, in consultation with other ICL members at the interview, will determine whether or not to offer membership to the applicant. Membership is not guaranteed simply by being listed on the waiting list, but is subject to evaluation by ICL as to compatibility with ICL goals.

11. REMINDER OF REQUIREMENTS At the time of each applicant’s acceptance of the invitation to join ICL, the Membership Director will remind the applicant of the need to: (a) commit to attendance at class on a reasonably frequent basis, (b) contribute to the curriculum periodically by presenting a program, or serve on a committee or on the Board, (d) provide support to the University, its faculty, and its students, in achieving the mission and goals of the University.

12. MEMBERSHIP DUES Membership dues for applicants joining at the beginning of the Fall semester ($125 per annum as of the 2008–2009 academic year) should be paid on the day of the spring luncheon (early May), or at the latest by May 31. Dues for applicants joining at the beginning of the Spring semester (January) will be 50% of the annual dues, and must be paid at the time of joining. The deadline for payment of annual membership dues for renewing members is May 31 each year. Members who have not paid their membership dues by the appropriate deadline will be contacted once to determine continued membership interest. If payment is not received promptly thereafter, the person's membership slot will be considered vacant.

13. EXCUSED ABSENCE Current members should notify a Board member if they cannot attend the academic program for more than six consecutive weeks. After that period of time, the Board may review membership status.

14. NO REFUNDS Members given a temporary leave of absence or resigning during the academic year will not receive a refund of dues paid.

15. EMERGENCY MEMBERSHIP The ICL Board is responsible for ensuring ICL is a viable academic organization. If, after a survey of our membership, no member volunteers for a critical ICL need, the Board will declare an emergency and seek to fill the vacancy from qualified waiting list applicants.

16. NON-PARTICIPATION A member, after one written warning by the Executive Director, may be asked to resign if it is determined that the member is not regularly participating. Awareness of non-participation should be brought to the Board of Directors. Any decision regarding membership will be made by the Board on a case-by-case basis. If the Board confirms the member’s continued non-participation despite the written warning, the Executive Director will send a written notice of termination to the member.

17. CONDUCT UNBECOMING A member judged by the Board to be acting in a manner not in keeping with the mission of ICL will be given one written warning by the Executive Director. Continued behavior in violation of ICL’s mission despite the warning will constitute grounds for termination of membership by the Board. Again, the Executive Director will send a written notice of termination to the member.

*Revised: June 15, 2009

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