The SAGE Society was born in Spring of 1987 after a somewhat extended and concerted effort to birth it. Morrie Cutler had been a member of Plato, the Learning In Retirement organization associated with UCLA. He thought it would be a good idea to have a similar organization in the Valley, and he made it a project to contact the Office of Continuing Education at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and convince its personnel that such a group would be beneficial to the school and to the community.

With the support and efforts of CSUN's Sonja Marchand, in particular, and a contribution of $15,000 from the Milken Foundation, SAGE was launched.

Starting with 12 inspired, hard working members, and one study discussion group, SAGE now has 15 study discussion groups and a membership of over150 and growing.

SAGE is affiliated with ALIROW, the Association of Learning in Retirement Organizations West, an umbrella organization for Western LIR's from Vancouver, B.C. to San Diego and Arizona. Experiences, ideas, guidance, and general worthy information are shared among the groups whose chosen representatives meet biannually. ALIROW was helpful to SAGE as consultant in its formation and the establishment of its organization and learning format.

Besides the study discussion groups which are the heart and core of SAGE, other activities have enriched its members. For example, over the years SAGE has had Colloquia, Town Meetings and Forums twice each year. These feature speakers expert in their fields accompanied by stimulating discussion from the audience. The present day Forums include a delicious lunch at at the Porter Valley Country Club and are very popular among members and guests.

In 1995, SAGE had its first annual RETREAT, a three day get away where members came to enjoy the outdoors and recreational activities combined with study and discussion, a movie presentation, games, mingling and general comradery.

A number of field trips have also been a feature of SAGE. These were held periodically, and included visits to the Getty Museum, Japanese Gardens, the Nethercutt Museum, the Reagan Presidential Library, the Santa Barbara Art Museum, and Los Angeles Conservancy Walks.

SAGE continues to grow and innovate to meet the needs and desires of its members. --Marilyn Weinstein