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Greetings from the NRC Jun 2017
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A theme we continually explore at the Osher NRC might be called OLLI variety. It lies in the wide variety of ways OLLIs present and operate their programs. We celebrate that diversity because we understand that a strong Institute reflects its unique community, university, and especially, its members. When visiting with leaders from another Osher Institute, people inevitably want to compare practices with other OLLIs, but remember, what works for one OLLI, might fail miserably for another ... or succeed brilliantly!
At the NRC, we respect these difference while sharing valuable examples that have proven successful for Institutes. We hope that our webinar content, national conferences, online communications and digital resources become a buffet of ideas for your consideration. Perhaps through tailoring or adapting a course, event, project or initiative you are undertaking, it could become more successful by sampling our resource buffet!
In this month's newsletter, we have a variety of ideas for you to sample from four OLLI programs: two very different guest lectures, and two very different activities. Additionally, we offer examples of travel ideas spanning two continents and two different US Mountains. We also announce the dates for our next Webinar Series, with the promise that we will bring you a wide variety of topics during the next 12 months - so mark your calendars.
If variety is the spice of life, we have some zesty content this month. Enjoy reading about it with our warm summertime wishes,
Steve Thaxton, Executive Director
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OLLI at American University
Examining the America of the Future
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"America of today bears little resemblance to the country of 50 years ago. For starters, it's older and it's less white, two huge trends that are accelerating fast," explained Paul Taylor at a recent gathering of OLLI at American University members in Washington, DC. And he should know. As a Senior Fellow and former Executive Vice President of the Pew Research Center, America's premier "fact tank" that conducts public opinion polling and demographic research, Paul commands a huge cache of data that tracks the issues, attitudes, and trends that shape the nation. The growing generation gap between Baby Boomers and Millennials is fueling divergent views on family structure, economic well-being, religious values, racial and ethnic identity, and gender norms and is  roiling the already rancorous political divide.
Paul spoke at the OLLI at AU's Spring Lecture Series and discussed his recently updated book, The Next America, which outlines national challenges driven by generational change. He explained how today's Millennials are at risk of becoming the first generation in American history to have a lower standard of living than their parents, while in the meantime, about 10,000 Baby Boomers are retiring every day, putting stress on our social safety net.
Paul is a veteran of The Washington Post where he covered national politics and worked as a foreign correspondent; he also was a long-serving Visiting Professor at Princeton University. More recently, he has been working with Encore.Org, a national nonprofit that engages the skills and experiences of those in later life to improve communities and build a better future. Find out more about Paul, his book, and the Pew Research Center.
Submitted by
: Denise Liebowitz, board member and chair, Lecture Committee, OLLI at American University
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OLLI at University of North Florida
Member Spring Fling: An Afternoon of
Old Fashioned Fun!
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 On May 1st, OLLI at UNF's members were invited to don their best spring hats for the annual social. Fellow members T. and Barbara Parkinson shared their lovingly restored 1912 Model T Ford by offering a brief presentation about the car's design and mechanical features. Serenades by The Bridges of Harmony, a local a cappella group, kicked off the program. Guests built their own ice cream sundaes and enjoyed plenty of social time as they waited their turns for a spin around the parking lot.
Submitted by: Jeanette M. Toohey, director, OLLI at University of North Florida
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OLLI at Towson University
Rock 'n' Roll, Race & Society
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Towson University recently hosted a course called "Rock 'n' Roll, Race and Society" that was taught by Daryl Davis, noted American R&B and blues musician, author, actor and bandleader.
Davis brought a unique perspective to
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Daryl Davis |
the course by providing a historical picture of how rock 'n' roll, race and society influenced one another as well as powerful stories of his early experience in the music industry alongside Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, to name a few.
Davis shared information on how rock 'n' roll music evolved and the controversies that arose when white teenagers began to embrace what was considered "race music." Even though civic leaders tried to ban the music, it prevailed because of its appeal across genders, race and societal classes. Rock 'n' roll music performed by black artists began to enter the mainstream.
As the Osher students reminisced about music from their past, they were also reminded of the controversies that arose, such as white and black teenagers not being allowed to dance together on shows like Dick Clark's "
American Bandstand". Davis took them through a history filled with controversy, and high and lows, all the while reminding them that music has power and the ability to bring people together.
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OLLI at University of Delaware
Beekeeping Class Forms Beekeeping Club
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The 21-member (and growing) Lewes Beekeeping Club was formed last year during the inaugural beekeeping class taught by Dean Hoover and Tom Lord at OLLI in Lewes, Delaware. Members recently repopulated one of their two beehives after its bee population died early last fall. The members performed a split with the other hive by taking roughly half its bees and relocating them into the resurrected hive.
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OLLI Beekeeping Club |
"The past year has been an interesting and fun experience for the club," says Denise Bridges, OLLI member and club president. "Learning how to tend the bees has been an adventure, and our first extraction is scheduled for this summer."
The club is active with the Delaware Beekeepers Association in both Kent and Sussex counties and participated in the 2016 Delaware State Fair by educating the public about beekeeping. The club also provided docents for the inaugural Lewes Farm and Garden Tour last summer. An article about the club, written by Dr. Dewey Caron, a retired University of Delaware professor who taught beekeeping, was featured in the March edition of Bee Culture magazine, a national beekeeping magazine.
Submitted by: Anna Moshier, manager, OLLI at University of Delaware, Lewes/Ocean View
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Osher NRC Monthly Webinar Series
Begins in July
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Mark your calendars! Due to the popularity of last year's Osher NRC Webinar Series, a new 2017-18 series begins in July. On the third Wednesday of each month, a live webinar will be offered, complimentary to anyone in the OLLI Network (staff, volunteer or member). Each webinar will last one hour beginning at 2:00pm Eastern/1:00pm Central/noon Mountain/11:00am Pacific/10:00am in Alaska and 8:00am in Hawaii.
 Webinar topics will cover a variety of subjects indicated as areas of interest by Osher Institute staff and volunteers in the 2017 National Conference feedback survey. Each will be designed with a specific angle on a topic, reflecting the presenter's experience. Potential topics include:
- Volunteer and Member Engagement
- Fundraising
- Distance Learning
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Building Positive Relationships
- And many more
Presenters will be both OLLI program experts recruited from within Osher Network, as well as outside experts. Each webinar will provide the opportunity for participants to view slides, ask questions, make comments, and see the presenter(s) live. Additionally, webinars will be recorded and archived in the secure area of
Osher.net
for future reference.
Descriptions and registration for each webinar will be announced via email to Osher Institute staff and in the monthly OLLI Newsletter at the beginning of each month. The first webinar of 2017 will be held Wednesday, July 19th, plan on joining us!
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OLLI Authors - We Want to Hear from You!
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 The most recent addition to the page comes from Marc Nussbaum, who chairs the OLLI at the University of California, Irvine STEM Curriculum Committee. He has written a book about the upcoming solar eclipse, which will occur on August 21, 2017. His book, Total Solar Eclipse 2017: Your Guide to the Next U.S. Eclipse includes everything you need to fully understand the underlying science and to plan a successful viewing. This will be the first U.S. coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in 99 years, placing totality within an overnight drive of 320 million Americans.
In May, Marc taught two courses for OLLI at UCI members: A two-hour briefing on The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse and an Eclipse Filter Making Workshop. He has also presented eclipse lectures at other local OLLIs including Long Beach, Fullerton and San Diego, and at local libraries and civic organizations.
On eclipse day, observers within the narrow shadow of totality-about 60 miles wide-have the opportunity to see the Sun's magnificent corona reaching out into space. Everyone else in the continental U.S., Canada and Mexico will see a partial solar eclipse. This promises to be the most viewed and photographed eclipse in human history.
If you have recently published a book and would like it listed on the NRC website, please send the information on to
oshernrc@northwestern.edu.
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An Advice Column for Osher Institute Staff and Volunteers
Dear Olli
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Dear Olli,
Some of our members feel our University is not as supportive as it should be for our terrific Osher Institute. What can we do to strengthen the relationship with our University?
~Looking for support
Dear Looking,
If you are looking for more support, it might mean you need to offer more of it up, yourself. The strongest OLLIs have achieved mutual support between college/university administration, faculty and even the traditional student body. How? It usually starts with OLLI members. These are members who show school pride by attending university athletic events and performances. They make it a point to contribute to university fund drives and show up at sponsored talks presented by college leaders. Sometimes, they fund scholarships in departments where they have close ties (imagine an OLLI funded undergraduate scholarship in history). They express their appreciation to top level staff and boards. Often, they invite deans, provosts and presidents to OLLI events (realizing they can't always attend). Make sure that OLLI members know the current priorities and initiatives of the university, and accurately recount those in conversation. And importantly, make sure members spread good news and positive stories of achievements at the university within the broader community. Through this support of your OLLI host institution, you might find that you receive more support in return.
Being an ambassador of OLLI, shouldn't stop at the OLLI door. It should extend onto campus and beyond. With this as the base of your relationships with your college/university, that mutual respect, cooperation, and support will flourish. Of course, it takes time. But it opens possibilities for even better partnerships that benefit OLLI and the wider university.
~Olli
Have a question for Olli? Please send it in care of Stacey Hart at the NRC:Stacey.Hart@Northwestern.edu
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Educational Travel Ideas from the OLLI Network
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OLLI at the University of Richmond
 Western Frontiers - Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone & the Badlands
Premier World Discovery welcomes the Osher Institute at the University of Richmond to an 8-day tour of the Western Frontiers including Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone and the Badlands. Highlights include: Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Fort Hays, Badlands National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Valley, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Devil's Tower, Deadwood, Salt Lake City Tour, Cowboy Cookout and three night stay in Rapid City.
Learn more about this trip to Western Frontiers
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Dates: September 15-23, 2017
OLLI at Santa Clara University
 France: Normandy
Join AHI Alumni Campus Abroad to the charming historic region of Normandy, France. On this trip, you will spend seven nights in the first-class Mercure Honfleur Hotel, experience the culture of Normandy through authentic meals at local restaurants, educational programs presented by local experts and independent explorations. Visit Le Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, delve into the life of Monet at his home in Giverny and discover the importance of Normandy beaches in one of the most pivotal moments in World War II, D-Day.
Learn more about this trip to Normandy.
OLLI at Furman University
A Photographer's Paradise on Roan Mountain
Visit 6,000+ foot Roan Mountain with Seth Harrison. Hike the Appalachian Trail as it runs along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina over high mountain 'balds' which are rich in natural and cultural history. We will be walking from Carvers Gap along the Trail to rock outcroppings and spectacular views. Natural history, photography, and enjoying the summertime cool mountain breezes are on the itinerary.
Learn more about this trip to the mountains.
Date: June 9, 2017
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Quick Tips for Helping Operate an Osher Institute
Quick Tip - Meet other Members...Wear Your Name Badge!
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OLLI at the University of Miami requires members to wear name badges when attending OLLI classes and events, as a security measure, and, because it just makes sense. "Wearing your OLLI name badge is the perfect way to be able to meet and greet other members when you are attending classes and events at OLLI. Try approaching other members with a smile, look at their name badge, and greet them by name. Be sure you are wearing your name badge so the person can greet you right back by name! It works every time! Keep your badge in a convenient place, like your car, your bag, or your purse, so that you always have it when you come to OLLI. If you do not have a name badge, stop by the OLLI office and one of our friendly, efficient staff members or exemplary volunteers will make you one. It's that simple!"
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Career Openings in the OLLI Network
Job Board
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