Greetings from the NRC.........................November 2024 | |
This unseasonably warm fall in Chicago makes the approaching holiday season seem remote. But it will soon be Thanksgiving and the completion of the fall term. This perennially turns my thoughts toward gratitude, especially, for the whole of our Osher Network.
This came into focus last week after visiting one of the midwestern OLLIs. On the way home I reflected on why this particular Institute is so successful. One of the reasons for my visit was that the long-tenured director is planning to retire next year. As is typical of this wise and thoughtful person, their transition and protection of the Osher program is top of mind. They are also quite mindful of the continuation of this OLLI's standing at the university and its contributions to the community. After meetings and meals with advisory leaders and with the supervising provosts, I realized this OLLI will sustain its success long after the director transition for one reason: their deep gratitude for one another’s contributions to their OLLI and their mutual affinity for their host university.
Having a lifelong learning program is completely optional for any university or college. Generous and well-intentioned administrators understand the benefits to both older adults and the broader campus learning community. They find ways to contribute to the programs in kind, and in partnership with their volunteers and members. Generosity and gratitude are reciprocal, explicitly expressed, and not taken for granted. This is the strength of the program I visited last week and is the case at most Osher Institutes.
I encourage you to consider that secret of success at your own OLLI, especially the “explicitly expressed” part. It’s a good time of year to step up the expressions of gratitude, isn’t it?
Meanwhile, please enjoy our newsletter contributions this month from OLLIs in New York, Michigan, and California. They come from programs the Osher NRC is especially grateful for and privileged to work with.
Happy November,
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OLLI AT WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
12 OLLI Members Walk into a Prison
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Photo: Members of OLLI at Western Michigan University Reader's Theater. | |
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What sounds like the beginning of a joke is actually the beginning of a special experience between the Lakeland Correctional Facility and OLLI at Western Michigan University (WMU).
One of the OLLI at WMU courses is Senior Readers Theater in which members perform plays in the community and then hold a 30-minute talk back with the audience. This tried-and-true experience had been a great success but was taken to a new level this past August when OLLI became aware of several incarcerated people at the Lakeland Correctional Facility who were also studying theater and acting parts in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. These 22 men, ranging in age from 20 to 70, had been selected from a rigorous admissions process to attend WMU classes within the facility and work toward bachelor’s degrees.
OLLI members decided to take their Senior Readers Theater to the correctional facility and learn alongside these men. After a surprising walk through the prison grounds, and engaging introductions, the OLLI group performed Euchred by Years, a play about the aches and pains of entering the golden years. They had performed this play a number of times at community centers and senior residences but what happened in this space was something none of them would soon forget.
OLLI member, Elsie Romano, put it best: “We had little idea of what they expected from us and wondered if they would be engaged. WOW! Were they ever! Our 20-minute play drew laughter, smiles, nods of understanding, and a Q&A that lasted the good part of an hour and a half! Their questions were thought-provoking. Their comments were full of insight.”
There was a unique shared experience that took place that day, showing the power of lifelong learning and how the arts can facilitate meaningful conversation, unexpected commonalities, and connection. Valerie Denhel, another OLLI member, added, “The visit showed that common ground and respect between diverse groups is possible, especially when it concerns the arts and education.”
Read the full article in the October 2024 OLLI at WMU Newsletter.
Submitted by: Toni Woolfork-Barnes, Director, OLLI at Western Michigan University
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OLLI AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, DOMINGUEZ HILLS
Engaging Lifelong Learners Through YouTube
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Many Institutes use YouTube as a platform for promotion, connection, and dissemination of information. The Osher Institute at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) recognizes YouTube as a vital tool to reach current and potential members. Their YouTube channel serves as a dynamic marketing resource, showcasing a variety of classes and events that embody the spirit of lifelong learning. Recently, OLLI at CSUDH produced several short videos for promotional purposes: “OLLI Town Hall,” “OLLI Jazz Class,” “OLLI Tai Chi Class,” and “OLLI Tennis Class.” These videos are not only available on YouTube but are also shared across other social media platforms.
The OLLI Town Hall video highlights opportunities for members to connect with program leadership and fellow learners, fostering a sense of community and demonstrating the value placed on member involvement with the Institute. The OLLI Jazz Class video showcases the creative expression found within OLLI’s offerings. Viewers can experience the joy of music and the camaraderie of learning together, appealing to those who appreciate the arts. Similarly, the OLLI Tennis Class video underscores the Institute's commitment to physical wellness. This engaging content not only showcases the fun and fitness of tennis but also attracts those looking to stay active in their later years. Lastly, the OLLI Tai Chi Class video introduces viewers to the calming benefits of this ancient practice, promoting health and well-being and making it appealing to prospective members seeking holistic growth.
Together, these videos create a compelling narrative about the OLLI experience at CSUDH, illustrating the diverse learning opportunities available. By leveraging visual storytelling, the OLLI YouTube channel attracts new members, enriching the OLLI community with each new enrollment.
OLLI @ CSUDH YouTube Channel
Video Links:
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Osher NRC Webinar
Cross-OLLI Collaborations | |
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Cross-OLLI Collaborations
- November 14, 2024
- 2pm Eastern/1pm Central/12pm Mountain/11am Pacific/10am in Alaska and 9am in Hawaii.
- Open to Osher Institute staff, volunteer leaders, and members
- Register here
Cross-OLLI Collaborations
Explore the innovative partnerships formed among Osher Institutes across the nation. This webinar will showcase a variety of collaborative projects that have enriched programming, expanded resources, and fostered community engagement. Hear from representatives of different OLLIs as they share their collaboration success stories and lessons learned. This webinar is a valuable opportunity to discover new ideas for working together and to foster a spirit of collaboration among our Osher Institutes!
If you have interest in being a presenter or have ideas for future webinars, please contact Kevin Connaughton (kevin.connaughton@northwestern.edu).
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INNOVATIVE COURSES AND CONTENT DELIVERY
Curriculum Corner
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Osher Institute at California State University, Monterey Bay
Roger Dahl Compassionate Education Series: Immigrants - Our Life Stories
Course Length: Three sessions
Course Instructor: Celia Barberena, PhD, has enjoyed a rich career in education spanning decades of key leadership roles within universities, community colleges and nonprofits. Chris Hasegawa, PhD, retired as Dean of Extended Education and International Programs at CSUMB. He currently serves on the Spreckels Union School District Board of Trustees.
Course Delivery: In-person
Course description: Worldwide, the United States is home to more immigrants than any other country—more than the next four nations combined. Over 11 million immigrants reside in California alone. In this three part series, we'll explore the multi-faceted reasons behind immigration to our homeland. We'll have the opportunity to engage with six immigrants who will share their life stories, delving into the factors that influenced their decision to emigrate, and how their life's work has positively impacted the well-being of their families and communities.
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QUICK TIPS FOR HELPING OPERATE AN OSHER INSTITUTE
Quick Tip - Building Community - Spotlight on Members
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Weekly or monthly OLLI e-Newsletters provide a perfect vehicle to shine the spotlight on Osher members. A regular feature can help build community and encourage members to go beyond attending classes to form friendships and get acquainted with others. As with this example from OLLI at Rochester Institute of Technology, they can also help to model volunteer engagement with questions that emphasize leading courses, volunteer service roles, and allowing members to express the value their service provides to others and to themselves. A standard list of questions for each of these member spotlights can make the job of writing and editing them easier – and can often be coordinated by volunteers themselves. The entire OLLI community can get to know one another better this way as it prompts recognition and conversation both in person and in the virtual lobby prior to an online class. | | |
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CAREER OPENINGS IN THE OLLI NETWORK
Job Board
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National Resource Center for Osher Institutes, Northwestern University
Wieboldt Hall, Sixth Floor, 339 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
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