olli-conference

National Conference of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes
Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLIs) from across the country recently got together for their annual "National Conference". We were invited to send to representatives at the Osher Foundation's expense. Patty Stumpf and Mark Gordon represented us at the conference, and both returned with glowing reports of the conference and the opportunities these conferences provide for the member institutes to learn from each other about what works in all areas of an institutes operations (fund raising, membership, courses, and peer-led discussion groups), and what new approaches offer promise. Patty Stumpf has just made the final version of her report on the National Conference of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes available. Here it is.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 6th National Conference October 12-14, 2009 The Canyons Grand Summit Hotel, Park City, Utah


 * Conference Report to the UCSC Lifelong Learners Board Members**

The UCSC LLL group was invited to send two delegates to the OLLI National Conference as guests of the Osher Foundation. Mark Gordon (the previous President) and Patty Stumpf (Recording Secretary) were the representatives chosen to attend.

The format of the National Conference brought together the participating OLLI campuses with a program of two plenary sessions as well as three breakout sessions which participants could choose from a choice of fifteen various topics. The intent of the conference was to provide the co-operative and collaborative sharing of information regarding funding, curriculum, leadership, planning, growth, issues relevant to adult learning, research, software issues and other aspects regarding lifelong learning organizations.

There were 251 participants from 120 OLLIs, representing 86,000 members. In 2003 there were only 18 OLLIs. In 2009, there are 120 OLLIs, a growth rate of 666% in 6 years. There is an OLLI National Resource Center at the University of Southern Maine campus in Portland, Maine. The Resource Center provides an OLLI website with on-line tools and resources. The content of the website is member driven, based on requests from the various OLLIs and their needs. The website can be found at: [] The closing session was devoted to an overview of the center and its mission.

The conference was managed and organized very professionally. Handout materials from the attending OLLIs were made available on the first day of the conference. Breakout sessions were well-run with handouts usually provided. The plenary sessions, one on fundraising and development, and one on “Storytelling: The First Big Thing”, provided practical and creative suggestions for OLLIs to promote awareness of and raise money for their organizations. The breakout scheduling was smooth and sessions began and ended on time, with adequate time to follow-up with individual participants afterwards.

The value of the conference was two fold; first, for the breadth and depth of the information and topics mentioned above, and second, for the stories and experiences of the participants. OLLIs are not “cookie-cutter” learning institutions – each is unique. There is overlap between some of the OLLIs in terms of operations (management, classes vs. group led discussions, etc.) but each OLLI operates individually according to its own structure and charter. While there is diversity between the OLLIs, each is seeking the “best practices” for their organization. The conference was an excellent opportunity to explore both the differences and commonalities of the OLLIs and to discuss what is working and what isn’t. These conversations were candid and forthcoming.

The general themes of the OLLIs included a positive aging perspective, learning for the joy of learning in community, and a place to go to think about yourself. These are also re-occurring themes within the UCSC LLL group. There is much to identify with the OLLI organization while still being able to retain our own group’s autonomy. The conference clearly demonstrated that the Osher Foundation is committed, both financially and morally, to its member campuses, and that participation in this larger community can enhance our own program. In addition, as part of the OLLI network we can add our voices on a national level on issues such as creativity and the arts, science research, civic engagement, brain health and positive aging.

The gracious hospitality provided by the Osher Foundation to the OLLI participants was ever apparent, from the lodging accommodations, to the meals, to the conference facilities. As a participant it was impossible not to feel welcomed and valued at the conference.

In conclusion, we found the conference to be a valuable and enriching experience and recommend that the Board send two members annually to the National Conference. Thank you for the opportunity to attend and represent the UCSC Lifelong Learners.

Mark Gordon Patty Stumpf