The choice will depend on whether the initiator is a campus staff person or a local group of older people, the administrative workings of the potential host institution, and the level of authority on the campus of the initiating person or group. Create a Preliminary Plan for the Establishment of an Institute Such a preliminary proposal seeks authorization to explore the potential for an Institute. It should include summary findings from the data gathering phase and the reasons for the campus to sponsor an Institute. The plan also needs to raise issues such as space, parking, the nature of the Institute, start-up funding, setting of fees, recruitment of members, governance, staffing, potential size and publicity. A campus staff person as initiator will want to include as well retired alumni and emeriti faculty in the area.
Organizers are well advised to solicit active involvement from community leaders.
Current and retired political figures, officers of senior citizen clubs, staff of service organizations, and religious leaders are examples of who can assist in developing and promoting the Institute. The Network has on file sample plans used by some established Institutes in this phase. The Institute Network director and volunteer resource people are available for consultation. The Elderhostel Institute Network will access Elderhostel's national mailing list of over 900,000 names. The invitation to an informational meeting may be sent from the campus on campus letterhead, or directly from the Elderhostel Institute Network.