The Ask OLLI blog is a resource for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute administrators to facilitate discussion on a variety of topics related to the creation and management of OLLI institutes nationwide.
Entries to the blog are called "posts" and can only be submitted by blog editors. If you have an article suggestion for the editors, contact Julia Ridge at the OLLI National Resource Center.
Each post has a "comment" section where blog subscribers can submit their own remarks and responses to the post. A subscriber must be logged in to comment on a post. A login link is available at the bottom of the right-hand column, as well as at the end of each posting page.
Although the Ask OLLI blog is publicly viewable, commenting is closed to non-subscribers. You may contact Julia Ridge to request a subscriber account.
For more information on Ask OLLI, contact Kali Lightfoot, Executive Director, OLLI National Resource Center.
Vivian Abler, from OLLI at CalPoly asks:
How does your OLLI assess the needs of its membership, i.e. location of courses, kinds of courses offered, what kinds of events to propose, travel issues and cost related to course offerings? If you have done assessment, How has the collected data helped shape program. What format was effective?
Kathleen Holden, OLLI at University of Illinois, asks:
We have a sub-committee exploring a travel program here at UIUC. What kinds of programs are out there? Outside vendor? or your own program? If you contract outside, how did you identify and evaluate the vendor?
Judi Bobenage, OLLI at University of Pittsburgh, asks:
We are organizing a speakers bureau from among the membership and want to know what other OLLIs, who have organized one, do.
Billie Lombardo, OLLI at University of North Florida, asks:
What are good descriptions and duties for the classroom assistant? What names have your OLLI come up with for such a position?
Maya Sutton, OLLI at University of New Mexico, asks:
We are seeking additional grants to supplement Osher funding.
Any suggestions of likely sources that would not compete with our own?
Deborah Worthley, from OLLI at University of Vermont, asks:
Does your college or university have a center on aging? If yes, is your OLLI affiliated with the center on aging? If yes, what is the nature of that affiliation?
Karel Dutton from OLLI at University of North Carolina Wilmington asks:
What kind of financial systems of accounting are used by state university OLLI’s to track expense and revenue streams?
OLLI at UNCW currently has two systems: ACEware for revenue/registration and the university’s Banner System for expenses.
Does anyone have an excellent financial system they can recommend?
Adam Brunner, OLLI at Temple University, asks:
Are there any OLLIs who have developed guidelines or policies on how election campaigns for OLLI officers should and/or should not be conducted? For example, can a candidate set up an information table in the hall or send out mailings to members to generate support for their candidacy?
Adam Brunner, OLLI at Temple University, asks:
Have any of the OLLis created a policy regarding access to or use of membership lists by members?
Jane Dowrick, from OLLI at University of Richmond, asks:
How do other OLLIs title their faculty? We are considering giving title recognition to our faculty, such as “OLLI Faculty Fellow.” Our faculty are volunteer and we think this might be a part of our effort to recognize and honor them.