OLLI NEWS
Phone-A-Thon Puts "Fun" in Fundraising - OLLI at University of Nevada Las Vegas
It's All in the Family - OLLIs at CSU San Bernardino & Southern Oregon University
The 32nd Annual Camden Conference - OLLI at Dartmouth College
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Greetings from the NRC    Feb 2019 15
As we begin to organize articles for the Osher Network Newsletter each month, it is uncanny how a picture of the wide variety of Institutes emerges. Invariably, the submissions represent multiple time zones from coast to coast. OLLIs of all sizes, from sprawling cities mix together with those from smaller towns. And each story offers a unique angle. But while we know that no two OLLIs are the same, common themes do emerge: local ingenuity; volunteerism; collective efforts in fundraising to fortify programs; exploration of widespread places and diverse concepts - and all of them reflect the enduring intellectual curiosity of Osher members.
 
This month, we have contributions from New Hampshire to Oregon. We celebrate fundraising wins in Las Vegas and tour a beautiful OLLI facility in Urbana-Champaign. And, we see how the love of teaching and service runs in multiple generations of one west coast family. The creativity of OLLI leaders and members is quite clear in each of the different ways it is expressed. Enjoy this month's collection of stories and consider sharing your own local examples of ingenuity and success by sending an idea our way. We welcome the new delights of submissions from OLLIs near and far.
 
Heartfelt greetings from the NRC team this February,
 
Steve Thaxton, Executive Director


 
OLLI at University of Nevada Las Vegas
A wildly successful Phone-A-Thon fundraising event took place at OLLI at UNLV last November. Over the years, the Phone-A-Thon has been a valuable asset for growth for the OLLI and its 1,900 members. This year, OLLI raised $23,000 thanks to the 381 donors and 40 volunteers making calls, sending thank you cards, and helping behind the scenes. These donations not only enhance the OLLI member experience, but also demonstrate a commitment to the lifelong learning community and its continued success.

This annual fundraiser is a unique collaboration among OLLI's membership, the administrative team and the UNLV Division of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. Carrie Ahlborn, Senior Director of Annual Giving at UNLV, coordinates the Division's participation in this event and Toniann DeSousa, OLLI at UNLV's program coordinator, handles all of the logistics. Fran Smith, chair of the OLLI at UNLV Fundraising committee, was an instrumental volunteer. "It is an honor to put my fundraising experience to work in order to continue expansion of OLLI's membership and benefits," she said. "The enthusiastic response from the members renews my commitment to our Phone-A-Thon every year."

Besides serving as OLLI at UNLV's largest fundraiser, the Phone-A-Thon also serves as a strong community builder for the members and administration. The OLLI also receives overwhelmingly positive feedback each year from its enthusiastic members. Elena Cieslak, chair of the OLLI at UNLV Steering Council, remembered the event fondly. "The Phone-A-Thon was a fun time and a great way to talk to members you may not have seen for a while," she said. "The atmosphere was contagious!"

Submitted by
: Robert Levrant, director, OLLI at University of Nevada Las Vegas

OLLIs at CSU San Bernardino & Southern Oregon University
It's All in the Family
For the past few years, OLLI at CSU San Bernardino has benefited from member Janet Weil's 20 years of experience in adult education.  Recently, she extended her OLLI impact, recruiting a new faculty member for OLLI at Southern Oregon University. Her nephew Russ Walkup, living in Oregon, mentioned an interest in teaching near his home. Janet helped him tweak a course proposal for the OLLI at Southern Oregon University, and after it was accepted, he began teaching this semester.
 
The aunt/nephew team has enjoyed taking family outdoor day trips over the years. So, Janet knew Russ's love of the outdoors would be a great foundation for his course: "Let's Go! Intro to Outdoor Adventure for Self-Growth". Members in Ashland, Oregon are fully engaged in his subject and their associated field trips. Russ is quick to say, "I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of OLLI. The engagement and support from the OLLI members in my course amazes me. I hope that my involvement with OLLI will encourage others to consider teaching a course on a topic important to them."
 
Russ' course is rather different from his Aunt Janet's winter offering in California: "Women in the White House,", a colorful examination of first ladies and a few daughters and a niece of U.S. presidents. But California students are no less enthusiastic about her lively presentations spanning from "Martha to Melania." Both aunt and nephew work hard to prepare their students for adventures beyond the classroom. Janet's course is ideal preparation for OLLI trips to the Reagan Library and to Washington, DC. With more than 120 students enrolled, Janet says, "The strong response to this course comes from love of American history. I've been a member at OLLI at UC Berkeley and now here at CSU San Bernardino. OLLI members always look for new and different approaches to subjects they know something about but want to reexamine later in life."  That might also be a lesson for multiple generations of OLLI instructors like Janet and Russ. It's never too early or too late to put your knowledge and passion to work teaching an Osher Institute course.


OLLI at Dartmouth College
The 32nd Annual Camden Conference
Feb 22-24, 2019
For the first time, the world renowned Camden Conference, operating for 32 years in Maine, will live stream to New Hampshire!  The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Dartmouth will live-stream the 2019 Camden Conference to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center's (DHMC) Auditorium H. The $95 registration fee includes admission to all three days of the conference and there are special hotel rates at the Hilton Garden Hotel, in Lebanon, NH - less than 2 miles from DHMC, where the event will take place. Osher at Dartmouth is able to offer this low cost because of generous gifts from Peter Fahey and Philip McCaull of Commonwealth Financial Network in Lebanon, NH. Registration information, hotel information, and a link to all the speakers is included below. This year's Camden Conference focuses on China:

Is This China's Century?
Friday, February 22: begins at 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 23: 8:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday, February 24: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

As China emerges as a major global power, it faces complex challenges in its domestic, economic, social, environmental and political affairs and its relations with Asian neighbors, the United States and the broader international community. Expert presenters from China, East Asia, Europe, and the U.S. will describe and analyze these challenges. Drawing on their extensive professional and personal experiences, the speakers will explore a wide range of topics: issues and expectations within Chinese society today; the dramatic reduction in overall poverty and the rise of a middle class; the roles of the Chinese Communist Party and its leadership; the outlook for China's economy, long fueled by exports and substantial foreign investment; China's aspirations in technology and innovation; the environmental impact of China's industrial expansion and its role in addressing climate change worldwide; relations with neighboring countries in Northeast and Southeast Asia; and current and future U.S.-China relations, including controversies over trade, human rights, and the U.S. role in the stability and security of the Asia-Pacific region.

Visit www.camdenconference.org for detailed information about the Camden Conference and speakers.

The streaming events are open to OLLI members nationally. Visit  osher.dartmouth.edu to register. 

Submitted by
: Lisa King, program manager, OLLI at Dartmouth College

NRCupdate
Osher NRC 2019 Webinar Series
Mark your calendar for the next webinar on February 20, 2019 beginning at 2pm Eastern/1pm Central/noon Mountain/11am Pacific/10am in Alaska and 9am in Hawaii. Register for the webinar here.

Floods, Fires, and Hurricanes: Are We Prepared for Disaster?
Unfortunately, there are some Osher Institutes that have been sideswiped by an unanticipated crisis or natural disaster. Join three OLLI Directors who have managed successful recoveries from a hurricane, wild fires, floods, and displaced members due to natural disasters. These directors will describe their experiences, allowing participants to learn about disaster preparation, management, and recovery. Guidance will be offered on common practices to prepare for any type of crisis or emergency, how OLLI staff can manage through a crisis, and what university or community resources are available to help. 
 
Presenters
Debra Herman
Director, OLLI @ Florida State University
 
Ann Nikolai
Director, OLLI @ California State University, Chico
 
Michelle Sierpina
Director, OLLI @ UTMB Health

If you have interest in being a presenter or have ideas for future webinars, please contact Kevin Connaughton (kevin.connaughton@northwestern.edu ). 

Spaces and Places of OLLI SpacesAndPlaces
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
In July of 2015, OLLI at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign moved to a new location in the multi-use M2 Building, located in downtown Champaign. Facilities at M2 include one large classroom, a smaller classroom, two study group/seminar rooms, a meeting room, a lending library, and two gathering spaces. With accessibility in mind, two classrooms are equipped with assistive listening technology. In addition, the new facility also offers administrative space. An enclosed adjacent parking garage leading directly into the OLLI facilities, helps make OLLI participation more accessible.
 
Since initial construction, several of the spaces were modified to suit OLLI's programs. Furnishings and instructional technologies were purchased with donor funds raised through special campaigns. Osher Institute director Christine Catanzarite comments, "The location has made it possible for us to expand our reach and visibility to the broader community that supports and is served by the university. It is also lovely to be in the midst of the vibrant downtown area, which offers many informal gathering spaces as well as neighboring businesses who have become friends and partners for OLLI."
 
The Osher Institute at Illinois was launched in 2007 with 11 courses and 297 members. Currently, the Institute has nearly 1,300 members and offers 35-40 courses per semester. In addition to classes in the fall and spring semesters, OLLI offers more than 250 programs and activities that include lectures, study groups, travel, and collaborations with the Illinois campus and surrounding community.

Want to see your own distinctive "Space or Place" in this newsletter? Please send it to oshernrc@northwestern.edu.

An Advice Column for Osher Institute Staff and Volunteers
dearolliDear Olli
Dear Olli,
I'm an Osher Institute Director who supervises the work of all our dedicated volunteers. Over the past couple months of the academic year, I have noticed that several of our volunteers have gone above and beyond in contributing their time and talents to OLLI. Do you have any suggestions for how I can thank these volunteer superstars?
~Impressed Director

Dear Impressed,
Recognizing the efforts of Osher Institute volunteers is a great way to spotlight extraordinary volunteers and encourage other OLLI members to consider volunteering as well. Many OLLIs earmark a portion of their operational budget for breakfasts or luncheons honoring their volunteers at the end of the academic year. This kind of event is perfect for thanking a large group of volunteers for all their hard work throughout the year. However, for those volunteers who go above and beyond, consider setting up a Volunteer of the Year award. As part of the award, you could post a picture of the honored volunteer on a prominent wall in your office, and maybe even gift some special "OLLI Swag" to the volunteer, such as mugs, t-shirts, and/or bags. That way, you will eventually have a gallery of volunteers that can serve as a reminder to Osher Institute staff and volunteers of how far a volunteer's hard work can go.
~Olli

Have a question for Olli? Please send it in care of Kevin Connaughton (kevin.connaughton@northwestern.edu). 

Educational Travel Ideas from the OLLI Network
The OLLI Traveler OlliTraveler
OLLI at Arizona State University
Travel to Belize with OLLI Corps
Join us for our inaugural OLLI Corps trip to Belize! OLLI Corps is a cultural immersion opportunity that enables participants to engage in authentic, cross-cultural exchanges through service-learning that make a difference in the lives of others. It is a collaboration between the National Peace Corps Association/Discover Corps and OLLI at ASU. OLLI members are invited to participate in this cultural immersion Peace Corps-esque program. We will explore the natural beauty of Belize as well as participate in ongoing community projects across sectors of environmental conservation, education, and health. OLLI at ASU faculty with intercultural and Peace Corps backgrounds will join us to enrich the exciting learning experience. Each day will begin with an "OLLI Reflection Time" facilitated by ASU professors, with evenings offering an opportunity to debrief, reflect, and share from the day's adventures. Professor-led activities and discussions will be intentionally woven throughout the itinerary - all designed to enhance each lifelong learner's ability to look below the surface of our journey and make this a truly unique and memorable travel experience. Learn more about this trip to Belize.
Dates: May 4-10, 2019

OLLI at University of California, Irvine
LA's Hidden Gardens
The tour begins in Pasadena, and then moves to Arroyo Seco and the LA Police Academy. In downtown Los Angeles we visit the garden at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angeles, the gardens at Disney Hall, Bunker Hill, James Irvine Japanese Garden and other special botanical locations. Our guide will entertain you with stories about the gardens and we will enjoy an included lunch at the Police Academy CafĂ©.  Learn more about this day trip .
Date: May 16, 2019

OLLI at Berkshire Community College
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
OLLI at BCC's annual southwestern Florida special event features a guided tour of the new James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, which has transformed from art in hallways (OLLI's 2012 visit) to a full-fledged museum. Their greatly expanded collection began in the 1950s and has grown to include noted artists such as Alexander Calder, Salvadore Dali, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Miro, Andy Warhol, and Jamie Wyeth. It has expanded to include Western & Southwestern Art as Tom & Mary James traveled west. We'll enjoy a guided tour including their special exhibit: Pop Expressionist & Painterly Realism paintings by Tampa Bay artist James Michaels, inspired by popular culture, childhood memories and life experiences, as well as lunch together and time to explore.  Learn more about this trip to Southwest Florida .
Date: February 28, 2019

Quick Tips for Helping Operate an Osher Institute
didyouknowQuick Tip - LLI Directory



Inspired by the directory of lifelong learning institutes created by the Osher NRC, OLLI at University of Oregon staff built their own directory of just Oregon Institutes with the addition of summaries. They provide this handout to individuals who make inquiries from other areas of Oregon.

  Career Openings in the OLLI Network
jobboardJob Board
Program Manager - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Executive Director for Online and Continuing Education

Executive Director - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Program Assistant

Is there a staff opening at your Osher Institute? Please send it to us at  oshernrc@northwestern.edu