Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Lewes
Council Minutes
Fred Thomas Building
January 24, 2014

In attendance were council members Jack Boettger, Bob Comeau (chair), Bo French, Lynn Kroesen, Frank Meredith, Rob Morgan; librarian archivist Ruth Barnett; committee chair Bernie Fiegel; program coordinator Anna Moshier; administrative assistant Renée Moy; and Bill Ashmore, instructional support for Bethany.

Bob Comeau called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.

The agenda for today, as amended to add a Nominating Committee report, and the minutes of the November 19, 2013, Council meeting were approved.

Staff:
Anna reported on the work of Ed Chamberlain and Bill Ashmore for AV support for Lewes and Bethany, respectively.

Bill and Anna reported on possible Bethany facilities.

Renée stated that three quarters of the payments for the upcoming trip have been received, although all of them were due by January 15th.   

Committee reports (*indicates report on file)

Long Range Planning: (Bo French) Bo reported  good news on enrollment, which is up 7.8% combining fall and spring, to a total of 713 members (although that figure double-counts people who registered for both fall and spring but did so separately).

Social: (Bernie Fiegel) Bernie reported that today’s orientations of new members and of instructors went well.  He suggested that in future we try not to have a class scheduled at the same time, to avoid drawing instructors away from their orientation.

Community Relations: *  (Frank Meredith)  Frank had nothing to add to his emailed report.

(Ed Chamberlain, instructional support for Lewes, joined the meeting at 11:48 and the attendees introduced themselves to him.)

Library/Archives: (Ruth Barnett)  Ruth reported that she has caught up on the archives.  The question of retaining photos was discussed, and it was concluded that there was no need to retain print copies in light of the ability to retain them digitally. 

Academic Affairs:  In the absence of Committee Chair Donna Beecher, Renée reported that  two scholarships had been awarded for the spring semester.

The deadline for summer course proposals is February 25th.  Anna thinks that it will not be a problem to produce the catalogues after Feb. 25 but in time for the summer.

Financial: * (Jack Boettger)  Jack said there was not much else to report besides the financial statements he had distributed.  The program was performing pretty well in accordance with its budget.  He noted that we had not yet received the semi-annual rent bill for rent to 10/31/13 from the School District yet, but we have accrued for the liability.  He also noted that we have paid the $10,300 administrative fee to the University and, offsetting it, we have received from the University the $10,000 contribution from Osher.

Communication:  (Lynn Kroesen)  Lynn said that she had nothing to report.  She will be able to get the newsletter out after the luncheon and before the trip to New York.

Nominating: * (Rob Morgan):  * Rob recapped his written report, to the effect that the Nominating Committee, consisting of Diana Beebe, Lee Mussoff, Joan Sciorra, Joe Wolzansky, and himself had agreed to nominate Mary Folan, Sabatino Maglione, and Bill Sharkey, and that all three had accepted the nomination and agreed to stand for election.  

Anna suggested that voting by electronic ballot be offered to those members who use the internet, and the Council agreed.  Bob asked if we can ensure in an electronic ballot that no voter would vote twice, and Anna replied that she could do so by requiring that an electronic voter supply her or his name. 

Lynn pointed out that she needs a short biography and a photo to email the notice of nominations.

New Business:
Several aspects of the 25th anniversary luncheon, scheduled for April 16th at the Atlantic Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, were discussed.  Bernie suggested that we ask the University to support the luncheon, and Anna agreed to do so.  Bernie said that he and the other planners were considering a commemorative item and a centerpiece that could be taken home. The theme of the luncheon will be “finding broader horizons,” with its logo being a triangle of Osher, the University, and the instructors.  Roo Brown of Elder Moments is putting together a special program. Bernie welcomes other ideas.
Anna reminded the Council that Renee’s 25th anniversary with the program in Lewes was January 17th, and Renée was warmly applauded.

There was a discussion of how we might be able to learn from other lifelong learning programs affiliated with universities.

Next meeting:  The next meeting will be in the Fred Thomas Building on 
February 25th at 12:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as a classroom becomes available.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rob Morgan, Secretary