Conference Program ENGAGED MINDS, ENRICHED LIVES 2013 Southern Conference for Lifelong Learning The UGA Hotel and Conference Center The University of Georgia July 24 - 26, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013 11:30-1:30 pm
Registration - Hill Atrium
1:30-3:00
Opening Session - Mahler Auditorium Welcome and Introductions: Katy Crapo, Executive Director, OLLI@UGA President Jimmy Carter Welcome Video Jack Parish, Associate Dean for Outreach and Engagement, College of Education, UGA David Blazevich, Senior Program Officer, The Bernard Osher Foundation Craig Kennedy, Dean, College of Education, UGA Keynote Address: Ron Cervero, Associate Vice President for Instruction, UGA Conference Overview: Jay Shinn, President, OLLI@UGA
3:00-3:30
Refreshment Break
3:30-5:00
Concurrent Sessions
Session I:
"Marketing your Organization to the Max!" Randall Abney, OLLI@UGA
Randall Abney will discuss branding and logos to improve your organization's image in the community; sponsorships and partnerships to involve the community with your organization; and public relations, including the expenditure of advertising dollars and the use of free public service announcements. This session will focus on marketing principles designed to increase your organization's membership. Session II:
"7000 a Day: Catch the Boomer Wave," Jeanette Toohey, University of North Florida
Lively Learning in Retirement programs are now engaging two generations of members over age 50. During the past two years, UNF OLLI has developed a dynamic multi-faceted approach to attracting Baby Boomers. Jeanette Toohey will present the changes UNF OLLI has made in curriculum, special events and promotion that have been successful in attracting Boomers and conduct a brainstorming workshop. Session III:
"Curriculum Policies, Procedures, and Practices," Betty Jean Craige, OLLI@UGA
Betty Jean Craige will discuss the process the OLLI@UGA Curriculum Committee has put in place to recruit more than a hundred classes every semester. She will distribute a course proposal form; an email template; a conflict-of-interest policy; and course proposal routing instructions. The class will be conducted as a conversation among participants about best practices. 6:00-8:00
Reception with cash bar (cash only) - Hill Atrium Table displays by participating Lifelong Learning Organizations
Thursday, July 25, 2013 6:30-7:30 am
Tai Chi – Tom Wittenberg
7:15-8:15 am
Sponsor Presentations
8:30-10:00
Concurrent Sessions
Session I:
"Bylaws/Policies and Procedures," Jay Shinn, OLLI@UGA
Bylaws = Governance. Policy and Procedure = Management. Jay Shinn will look at the difference between governance and management, and the relationship of Bylaws to Policy and Procedure. Whether you’re creating these documents for your organization for the first time or revising them, this session will help you ensure that Bylaws define governance matters and that Policy and Procedure outline operational rules and methods. Session II:
"Building an Instructor Support System, Piece by Piece" Mike Bahnaman, Duke University
In this workshop, Mike Bahnaman shows how to build a robust instructor support system that includes instructor appreciation and recognition, faculty development, communications, advocacy, and new instructor integration, with periodic surveys. As Bahnaman says, "Start with a vision that is defined by instructor focus groups and then build a solid foundation, piece by piece." Session III:
"Special Interest Groups," Carolyn Abney and Karen Kenyon, OLLI@UGA
In addition to the classroom-based curriculum, travel-study programs, and special events, OLLI@UGA offers its members the opportunity to join Special Interest Groups. The twenty-plus SIGS bring OLLI members together for physical activities, such as kayaking; mental activities, such as book clubs and bridge; and social activities, such as dinner and opera. Carolyn Abney and Karen Kenyon will discuss the OLLI@UGA offerings and lead a conversation about developing SIGS. 10:00-10:30
Refreshment Break
10:30-11:45
Concurrent Sessions
Session I:
"Achieving Financial Sustainability," John Songster, OLLI@UGA
Financial sustainability means viability beyond the present. John Songster will present a model—perhaps idealized, as he says—for ensuring the adequacy of funds and resources to support a lifelong learning organization. Participants will then exchange ideas about successful practices for establishing a good financial foundation for the support of programs and staff. Session II:
"Improving Planning and Decision-Making through Research," Jack Hansen, Furman University
Jack Hansen, from OLLI@Furman, will present a recent survey of research activities in OLLI programs across the country. The responses show that most OLLI programs evaluate courses and instructors but fewer use surveys, focus groups, and/or interviews to identify emerging trends and needs among members. This session will include practical instructions and suggestions on how to conduct such research. Session III:
"Launching a Membership Website," Tamara Burkett and Lise Jenkins, Duke University
OLLI at Duke communicates with its members using digital technology. It has created a channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/olliatdukevideos) that features previews of their course offerings and a website that addresses members' needs. Tamara Burkett and Lise Jenkins will outline the process of developing digital media and hypersyndication. 12:00-1:30 pm
Lunch – Magnolia Ballroom Speaker: Terry Kay, Novelist
1:45-3:15
Concurrent Sessions
Session I:
"Fund Development," Tom Kenyon, OLLI@UGA
Tom Kenyon, the Chair of the OLLI@UGA Fund Development Committee, will conduct a workshop on how lifelong learning programs can build a fund development program. Success depends on attention to these questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How do we get there? Participants will consider methods to begin or improve their own fund development efforts. Session II:
"Travel/Study Excursions," Joan Zitzelman, OLLI@UGA and Bill Alworth, OLLI@UGA
Joan Zitzelman and Bill Alworth will lead a discussion of the ways travel/study programs have developed in a variety of learning-in-retirement organizations. Participants will share stories of successes and failures and will think about new kinds of travel opportunities. Session III:
"Publishing a Newsletter," Pat McAlexander, OLLI@UGA
Patricia McAlexander, editor of The OLLI Times, will use PowerPoint to show the evolution of the newsletter and its function in the organization. She and session participants will discuss newsletter content and photo selection; scheduling for timeliness; the relation of the newsletter to the organization’s social media and website; methods of editing and proofing; issues in formatting/graphic design; and the effect of paid advertising. 3:15-3:45
Refreshment Break
3:30-4:30
Roundtable Discussions in Mahler Auditorium
Thursday Evening 4:45-5:45
Transportation to the Georgia Theater, http://www.georgiatheatre.com
5:00-7:00
Tour of the Georgia Theatre, Cash Bar Music by Randall and Isaac Bramblett, http://www.randallbramblett.com
7:00-10:00
Dinner on your own by reservation - Downtown Athens or Georgia Center (Reservation information forthcoming)
Friday, July 26, 2013 6:30-7:30 am
Tai Chi - Tom Wittenberg
7:15-8:15 am
Sponsor Presentations
8:30-10:00
Concurrent Sessions
Session I:
"Using Google to Organize and Enrich Your Lifelong Learning Program," Amy Keith, UNC Wilmington
Google is more than a search engine. Google Drive is the newest version of Google’s online, free office tools designed to collect, organize, and share information in real time. OLLI at UNCW has successfully adapted Google Drive to aid in program coordination, including creating online course proposal forms and coordinating volunteers. Amy Keith will offer some basic tips for using Google Docs, Forms, Spreadsheets, and more. Session II:
"Engaging Volunteers," Sandy Clark, OLLI@UGA
A good core of engaged volunteers builds organizational strength. Sandy Clark will discuss basic guidelines for recruiting and working with volunteers. What makes a volunteer group successful? What do volunteers receive? How do volunteers benefit personally from their work? Session participants will tell what is working well at their institutions. Session III:
"What Not to Offer - Curriculum Ideas That Didn't Make the Grade," Linda Shook, Auburn University
Despite our best attempts, some of our programming makes for less than an A+ in the classroom. Linda Shook will lead a conversation about mistakes and how to avoid them. Participants will submit their best "what not to offer" course proposals. As Shook says, "This is an interactive session, not for the faint-hearted but for those of us who want to stare defeat in the eye and make a comeback." 10:00-10:30
Refreshment Break
10:30-11:30
Closing Session, Mahler Auditorium: Kali Lightfoot, Executive Director, National Resource Center, The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes Invitation to the 2014 Southern Conference for Lifelong Learning
