–
ORGANIZATION: The IRP is a 501(c)3 non-profit institution.
All donations to the IRP are tax-deductible.
–
LOCATION: IRP in-person lectures are now located at the Menno Haven Life Center,
300 Ridgeview, Chambersburg, PA 17201. To view or download a map to the Menno Haven Life Center, click on the Map button below.
–
Map
–
TIMES: IRP lectures begin at 9:00 AM four days per week during the semester. The IRP conducts one zoom lecture at 9:00 AM on each Monday and Wednesday. In-person lectures are conducted at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
–
THE IRP EXPERIENCE: Members attend only those lectures that interest them; attendance is taken by head-count for each lecture, not by members’ names. There are neither exams, nor homework, nor grades. Most speakers welcome questions from the audience, sometimes during, but usually after the presentation. For in-person lectures, the interval between lectures provides a chance for socializing, and possibly, interaction with the speaker.
In semesters just prior to the pandemic, we averaged approximately 390 members enrolled per semester and more than 80 attendees per lecture. During the pandemic, the IRP conducted semesters with only zoom lectures. In the Fall 2022 semester, the IRP began conducting both zoom and in-person lectures. Zoom lectures are averaging approximately 40 participants per lecture; in-person lectures are averaging approximately 65 attendees. Please see the Announcements page of this website if you want to be added to the IRP Zoom-Guest email list.
–
SPEAKERS & LECTURE TOPICS: Speakers come from within the membership, the nearby community, academic institutions and government agencies; all are unpaid volunteers. The curriculum addresses a wide range of topics. Over time these have included archaeology, art, current events, economics, engineering, financial planning, geography, health & medicine, history, hobbies, literature, local interest, math, the military, nature, philosophy, physical sciences, political science, religion, sports, taxes, technology, travel, and more — a true potpourri.
To view or download the synopses for all lectures and bus trips from the Spring 2012 semester through the Spring 2020 semester, visit the References page of this website.
To see a list of all lecture topics presented in recent years by academic area, visit the Past Semesters page of this website. NOTE: The Past Semesters page has not been updated since the pandemic.
The IRP does not record lectures.
–
EXCURSIONS: Prior to the pandemic, excursions were planned for four of the eight Wednesdays of each semester. Each was a one-day bus trip to a place or places of interest, within a few hours drive from Chambersburg. On rare occasions, an IRP bus trip was two or more days, or on a day other than Wednesday.
Trip departure locations were announced as far in advance as practical; typically, departure times were before 8:00 AM, with a return time by 7:00 PM.
The per-person cost varied depending on the trip location and other factors, but was usually between $55 and $110 per person for the typical one-day trip; cost was not included in the enrollment fee. Enrolled members usually received a discounted price, and guests were welcome on a limited basis.
Trip sign-up dates were listed in the IRP schedule which was published approximately one month prior to each semester. Trip spaces were limited, so to give all members a fair chance to obtain a space, sign-up had to be in person on the sign-up date. Trip sign-up was at the location of the lectures on the sign-up date. Typically members were in line when the doors open, usually well before 8:30 AM, prior to the first lecture.
Members were allowed to bring one guest; non-members were accepted only after all member reservations had been accommodated. If there were spaces remaining after the initial sign-up date, reservations were accepted by phone.
To see a list of all previous bus trips since the Spring 2012 semester, visit the Past Semesters page (last section) of this website. NOTE: The Past Semesters page has not been updated since the pandemic.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRP conducted one bus trip during the Fall 2023 semester. We hope to continue with one bus trip each semester.
–
SPECIAL EVENTS: Some semesters have one or more special events scheduled. These may include an IRP Anniversary Dinner, a special ethnic luncheon, or some other special event. The cost for attending special events is not included in the enrollment fee.
–
MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT :
Membership in the IRP is open to anyone retired from his or her principal field of work.
Menno Haven residents may attend all IRP lectures without enrolling.
The enrollment fee, paid each semester, is $25 for a single member or $40 for a couple, and covers attendance for all lectures. Member enrollment does not include the cost of excursions or special events.
If members choose to do so, each spring we accept enrollment for the entire year if the members pay $50 for one person or $80 for a couple. While there is no discount for enrollment fee, it does save members time and postage cost to enroll for two semesters at one time.
Members who enroll by postal mail prior to the beginning of the semester will receive confirmation of their enrollment in the weekly bulletin sent by email at least one day prior to the beginning of the week. Persons who cannot enroll prior to the beginning of the semester are encouraged to enroll in-person when they attend their first in-person lecture at the Menno Haven Life Center.
Persons may participate in IRP Zoom lectures without enrolling.
The IRP has temporarily discontinued using identification badges.
Please see the Enrollment page on this website for instructions on how to join the IRP and download an enrollment form.
–
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION: The primary method of communication with members is by using this website. The Announcements page provides current information. To view or download a schedule, synopses, or enrollment form, go to the appropriate page of this website.
The IRP also cooperates with other academic institutions by sharing information about educational activities and events that may be of interest to IRP members or other senior citizens in the greater Chambersburg area.
–
PRIVACY: The IRP does NOT sell or share personal information (address, phone number, email, etc. of members or volunteer speakers) with other persons or organizations.
–
HOW THE IRP OPERATES: The IRP has no paid staff and thus relies on energetic members with innovative ideas to contribute to its success. All functions of the group — from tracking membership, to managing finance, to planning programs — are performed by a dedicated group of unpaid volunteers. The IRP has no physical location at Menno Haven other than a mail box and the use of the Life Center auditorium. The IRP staff welcomes suggestions and volunteers – see the Suggestions page or Volunteer page on this website.
The IRP does not record lectures.
The IRP is a 501(c)3 institution; all donations to the IRP are tax deductible.
–
TRAVEL TO IRP LECTURES: Because all practical venues for in-person lectures in the Chambersburg area have limited parking, we encourage IRP members to car-pool. This includes our current location at the Menno Haven Life Center.
—
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS: IRP sessions will not meet in the event that Chambersburg schools are closed or delayed for bad weather or other emergencies. Call 717-261-5680 for updates.
—
CURRENT BOARD OF VOLUNTEER DIRECTORS:
—
—Executive Committee:
—–Director: Kathy Worthington
—–Assistant Director: [position vacant]
—–Acting Treasurer: Joanne Firman
—–Recording Secretary: Mary Ellen Dihel
—–Corresponding Secretary: [position vacant]
—
—Chairpersons of IRP Committees:
—–Program: Vicky Poppiti & Susan Lyons
—–Membership: Marie Fitzgerald
—–Publications Editor: Vicky Poppiti
—–Publicity: Iris Hersh
—–Technical: Keith Forsythe
—–Zoom Coordinator: Sandy Savino & Marie Fitzgerald
—–Liaison with Host Facility: [position vacant]
—–Nominating: Betty Thompson & Susan Etter
—–Auditing: [position vacant]
—–Information Coordination & Analysis: John Ricca & Sandy Savino
—–Archives: Susan Etter
–