"Where Learning Never Ends"

That is the slogan on our coffee mugs.

Why did we put it there? Why does lifelong learning matter?

According to About.com, lifelong learning...

* Keeps your mind sharp
* Improves memory
* Increases self-confidence
* Offers an inexpensive way to try something new
* Saves you money as you learn to “do it yourself”
* Gives you a feeling of accomplishment
* Helps you meet people who share your interests
* Builds on skills you already have
* Offers you an opportunity to learn a new skill or trade and increase your income
* Gives you a new interest that you can share with family and friends

More important, why do we NEED lifelong learning?

Here are the key challenges set forth by one government agency:

- The increasing pace of technological change in the knowledge economy
- Need for a flexible and adaptable workforce to keep pace with the economy's skills needs
- Aging population, which means we will have fewer young people entering the workforce in the future
- Closing the opportunity gap - learning plays an important role in providing a route out of poverty, and enables people to take an active part in society

Interestingly, those points came from the Lifelong Learning Strategy for Scotland! Here in the United States, there is no national plan or funding for community education. Local programs such as Club Ed exist solely because of the desire by local school districts to provide learning opportunities for all citizens, even those of us beyond our school-age years.

In Kerrville, we also are fortunate to have a population of motivated citizens that believe in lifelong learning enough to take and to teach classes. If no one came, we wouldn't have built it.

So, with the holiday season near, here are two suggestions for making lifelong learning a bigger part of your life:

1 - Give it as a gift! Club Ed will whip up a gift certificate that you can give a loved one who wants to keep on learning.

2 - With New Year's near, why not make it a resolution to better yourself by taking a class?

After all, has a coffee mug ever let you down?

XXX

Club Ed catalogs are being mailed between Christmas and New Year's. Meanwhile, you can sign up online at www.clubed.net.

We always offer custom training for individuals and organizations.

Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Courses are open to everyone. To sign up, ask a question, suggest a class, or apply to teach, call 830-895-4386, or visit www.clubed.net.