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.
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.
Cathy House from University of Utah asks:
We are considering implementing an on line review system for our courses
and instructors. Students would be able to rate courses/instructors on
a handful of categories and also be able to leave comments like
strengths and drawbacks. The comments would be viewable by all students
to aid them in their decisions about which courses/instructors to take.
* Is your OLLI doing anything like this?
* What system do you use?
* What has been your experience with it?
* How have your members responded - what percentage use it, how is
it helpful to them?
RuthAnn McCarthy Sirbaugh of Oklahoma State University asks:
After the OLLI Conference, I realized we have some serious wine-lovers in our midst. Is anyone willing to share their course descriptions for a wine-tasting or wine-pairing class? Has anyone offered a class on Microbrewery?
OLLI @ Oklahoma State University is developing a ‘Cultivation of Taste’ series and we would like to offer classes on wine-pairing or wine-tasting, microbreweries, and coffee. We advertised a ‘Chocolate Connoisseur’ class to be offered this summer and we immediately filled all three classes and have a waiting list. We also have one Chocolate Class set aside for Vice-President’s, Deans, etc. to serve as an introduction to our program.
Millicent M. Lynch from Carnegie Mellon University asks:
I am interested in receiving feedback on the pros and cons of online
registration with credit cards. Has it proven to be an easier or more
difficult method of handling registration/membership payments? Have you had
security issues?
Fran McGuire, Clemson University asks:
What on-line registration software
program do other OLLIs use?
Steve Benson, University of Minnesota asks:
Our OLLI is considering working with a U of M department to bring a speaker to campus - this might be a one time talk or possibly a short course for OLLI members.
If your OLLI has such a program, please let us know how it works, costs and pluses and pitfalls.
Ara Rogers, OLLI at University of South Florida, asks:
If your OLLI offers semester memberships, please discuss: 1. Benefits/disadvantages? 2. Offered every semester, or certain ones? 3. If your semester membership is newly added after years of offering an annual, what are the effects adoption of the single-semester membership had on your membership numbers and program.