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.
Kathy Sangster, OLLI at University of Texas Austin, asks OLLI:
We are interested in Olli programs experience with developing community engagement/service opportunities for members.
Fred Bassett, OLLI at University of Cincinnati, asks OLLI:
Because many of our moderators have similar preferences regarding when and where they teach, on certain days and times, the University of Cincinnati’s OLLI program has more courses and moderators wanting to teach them than time slots available. Have you ever had this problem, and if so, how do you address it? What criteria do you use to assign course time slots?
Sarah Benton, OLLI at Penn State, asks OLLI:
How much annually does your organization spend on marketing your OLLI (print, radio, television, trade shows, etc.),not counting printing and mailing catalogs? What percentage of your total budget goes to these marketing strategies?
Terry Aaronson, OLLI at Florida State University, asks OLLI:
For OLLI’s offering classes at retirement communities whose participants only takes classes and
do not take part in any other activities, how do you set membership fees?
Dee Aguilar,OLLI at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, asks OLLI:
Is anyone currently incorporating on-line resources like TED, MIT World, or MIT Open CourseWare for discussion groups, seminars, courses?
Maya Sutton, OLLI at University of Mexico, asks OLLI:
Which social networks do other OLLIs use and with what results? Which one would you recommend?
Thom Clement, OLLI at George Mason University, asks OLLI
How do other OLLIs gain and/or provide access to online lectures for members? Are there good web sites with links to lectures on a wide variety of topics? What costs are associated? Are any OLLI’s using these as a basis for classroom presentations, or are they made available for individual use?
Michael Smith, OLLI at University of Kentucky Lexington, asks OLLI:
What have other OLLIs done to get appropriate public relations or to celebrate special announcements regarding their OLLI?
Billie Lombardo, OLLI at University of North Florida, asks OLLI:
Are there OLLIs that would be willing to share the following data?
1. The average renewal rate of membership
2. Percentage of participants taking courses per session/year.
Allyson Roberts, OLLI at Widener University, asks OLLI:
Our OLLI in Exton, PA, has seen course content take a more serious focus, especially this semester. Courses are focusing on current events such as Obama’s administration and the financial crisis. Registration for these classes is overwhelming, where traditionally some of the “more fun” classes were the “most popular.”
Is anyone else noticing this movement at their OLLI? Does anyone have a popular course topic focused on a current event to share?
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