QUESTIONS?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MEMBERSHIP
Q. Are you a for-profit club?
No. Owls Club is tax-exempt, non-profit organization that is being funded by its founders.
Q. Do I have to be a member of Trinity United Methodist to join Owls Club?
No, the Owls Club is open to all area residents age 55 and older. Trinity is sharing its welcoming space with the Owls Club, as well as Trinity Preschool, Riverview Adult Day Center, Barklee basketball, and summer arts camps.
Q. Do I have to be a person of faith to join Owls Club?
No, the Owls Club is a secular club and all are welcome. We will have classes and activities on a broad list of topics that will appeal to a wide variety of audiences.
Q. Is there a cost for membership?
Membership is free to area residents age 55 and over, but some activities and classes may include a fee.
Q. Do you provide transportation to the Club?
As of now, we don’t have a transportation program set up for members who don’t drive. If there is sufficient demand, we will explore options that don’t include the purchase of vehicles.
Q. How will you ensure my safety while on campus?
We have very specific participant guidelines that we will communicate and enforce. For example, liquor and firearms will not be permitted on our campus. You can find these guidelines on our website.
PROGRAM AND SERVICES
Q. Who teaches your classes and leads your activities?
The majority of our classes are led by our very own members who have knowledge and talent to share. But we will also bring outside instructors in for program content that our members can’t provide.
Q. Will classes have a fee?
The majority of our programs and activities will not have a fee. Luncheons and series with costly course materials may have a small fee in order for us to continue offering them.
Q. I have a class I’d like to teach. How can I get on your list of instructors?
The first step is to fill out our volunteer application where you’ll provide your contact details, availability, and program idea. A volunteer coordinator from Owls Club will then reach out to you directly.
Q. How do I register for Pickleball as an Owls Club member?
Members are required to reserve courts through the Court Reserve app. Detailed instructions and links to the app can be found on the Pickleball page of our website.
Q. How can I learn about upcoming classes?
All of our classes are listed on our website, so check back often! When you sign up for a free membership at Owls Club, you will automatically get email announcements of any new classes as they are added.
Q. Are there any plans to partner with other organizations?
We plan to partner with several local organizations, including Forever Learning Institute and the Purdue Extension, to bring a variety of educational programs to our members.
FACILITY AND CAMPUS
Q. Where is the Owls Club?
Owls Club is located on the Trinity United Methodist church campus, located at 2715 East Jackson Blvd. in Elkhart.
Q. Which entrance should I use?
The entrance to Owls Club is at the rear of the building where there is ample parking, including handicap spots.
Q. How accessible is Owls Club?
There are no steps into the building and there is an elevator for any classes above the first floor. Our facility, restrooms, and common areas are all handicap accessible.
Q. What are the hours that Owls Club is open?
Owls Club is open during scheduled activities, which will vary on days and times. At this point, there are no drop-in hours and members need to register for activities in advance of arriving at the center.
VOLUNTEERING
Q. How can I volunteer?
There are many ways to support Owls Club, whether it’s by teaching classes, leading activities, hosting and greeting new members, and administrative support. Please see our volunteer page for all the details.
Q. Do I have to be 55 or older to volunteer?
No. We welcome all ages to help make Owls Club a warm and inviting place for all our members.
Q. Do I have to be a member to volunteer?
No. Volunteer roles will be given to members first, but as our program grows and our needs grow, we will rely heavily on the generous support of our community to help it run smoothly.
Q. Are your volunteers vetted?
Yes. Volunteers that play leadership roles must complete and pass background checks and Safe Sanctuary approvals before serving.