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. Please contact Anne Cardale at the OLLI National Resource Center if you have an article suggestion for the AskOLLI editors.
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. For more information on Ask OLLI, or if you wish to create a subscriber account please contact Anne Cardale.
Katie Helms, OLLI at University of Arkansas, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI’s curriculum committee use a planning timeline? I am looking for a planning timeline that can help frame what the committee needs to be doing as well as how far in advance.
Documents may be emailed to Kyle at the National Resource Center, kallen@usm.maine.edu.
Julia Cayuso, OLLI at the University of Miami, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI have a complaint procedure? If so, where does it appear in writing, and is it separate from complaint/grievance procedures of the host institution?
Maxine Doherty, OLLI at The University of Alabama Huntsville, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI offer opportunities for host-university graduate students to propose, prepare, and teach short courses/give lectures for OLLI members? If so, what criteria do you use to select the graduate students? Do you provide guidelines for submission of course proposals? If so, would you be willing to share the guidelines? Do you offer stipends or some form of remuneration to the graduate students selected? If so, is the remuneration on a “flat-rate” or number of hours taught basis?
Abbie Lawrence-Jacobson, OLLI at University of Michigan, Asks OLLI:
How have other OLLIs dealt with study group/course proposals from individuals or organizations that stand to gain financially from soliciting OLLI members as clients? (For example, an investment firm wanting to do a course on financial planning for older adults.) Have other OLLIs developed any guidelines/policies for instructors that include something along the lines of “do not solicit OLLI members for your business”?
Jeanette Toohey, OLLI at University of North Florida, Asks OLLI:
Do you have a formal leadership development (not succession) program? What plans and processes do you have in place to develop potential leaders?
Heather Haslem, OLLI at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI provide any tutorials or training classes/programs designed to instruct volunteer instructors on using the internet in their classes?
Kathleen Dorn, OLLI at the University of Arkansas, Asks OLLI:
How do you recruit emeritus or retired faculty to become involved with your OLLI?
Dee Aguilar, OLLI at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Asks OLLI:
If your OLLI offers computer courses, please help us by answering the following questions:
a. Who develops/provides the course curriculum?
b. Are courses taught by member volunteers?
c. How do you recruit volunteers?
d. Who trains volunteers to teach these courses?
e. How challenging is it to keep the volunteers?
May we contact you with additional questions?
Maralie BeLonge, OLLI at the University of New Mexico, Asks OLLI:
Does your OLLI administer scholarships for class tuition? If so, what guidelines for dispersal are utilized and how are the scholarships funded?
Cathy House, OLLI at The University of Utah, Asks OLLI:
For those institutes that charge per-course fees, what methods are you using to encourage people to register for more classes? We currently offer a 10% tuition reduction on two or more courses. We are beginning to think of other methods that would reduce the overhead of processing the discounts – e.g., an annual rebate program. I would love your insight on what you’ve tried, how it worked, member response/reaction, etc.