Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Lewes
Council Minutes
Frederick Thomas Building
April 28, 2014

In attendance were council members Jack Boettger, Bob Comeau (chair), Mary Folan, Bo French, Lynn Kroesen, Sabatino Maglione, Frank Meredith, Rob Morgan, and Carol West; committee chairs Bernie Fiegel and Joan Sciorra; program coordinator Anna Moshier; Ed Chamberlain, instructional support for Lewes; and University representative Linda Osoinach.

Bob Comeau called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.

The agenda was approved by consensus.

The March 25, 2014, Council minutes, as amended, were approved by consensus.

Staff:
Anna reported that Carol and she were going to work on the faculty and new member orientation session.  She asked that department chairs review the feedback forms for improvement.  

The garden is to be weeded next Monday, May 5.  

The School District has notified us that the floor in the Fred Thomas Building will be torn up and repaired, but we are not sure when.  

Anna is working on a good refund policy.

Chair:
Bob reported that we are making progress in the negotiations for a lease of the old town hall in Ocean View.  Once we reach agreement with Ocean View we will need approval from the University.  Discussion ensued on various terms of the lease.  Bob noted the likely growth of the Ocean View population and with it our potential membership.

University:
Linda noted that she enjoyed the 25th anniversary party on April 16.   

She is working with Anna on a good orientation policy.

Committee reports (*indicates report on file)

Financial * (Jack Boettger)

Our operating fund finances are looking fine, although the timing of revenues and expenditures is jagged.  At the end of March our revenues at $145,200 [which includes $21,400 deferred from last fiscal year] had exceeded our budget by more than $45,209, while our expenses at $95,300 were $13,600 over budget, resulting in a surplus at that point of $49,900.   Jack also discussed the status of our other funds.

Academic Affairs (Donna Beecher and Carol West)

Carol reported that we are rolling along well for the June semester.  

We are considering revising the course evaluation form, and a form from the University of Pittsburgh may be a good model.  

Anna noted that she has already received a few course proposals for the fall semester.  The deadline for them is May 8.

Communication (Lynn Kroesen)
Lynn reported that the next issue of Tides will be sometime in the week beginning Monday, July 21.

Bob noted that Lynn and he had talked about frequency of Tides.  Only custom has made it a quarterly newsletter.  Lynn points out we often have enough news to make it more frequent.  Bernie recalled that when we first got permission to put out a newsletter, Cliff Diver gave $600 to put out four issues, $150 per issue, so the frequency was limited by funding.  Bernie and Lynn both noted that Tides is now largely digital and costs little.

Bob pointed out that the Osher National Resource Center in Maine is a valuable repository that collects information from Osher Institutes around the country and displays them on its website along with FAQs, resource materials, and newsletters from the Institutes who share them.

Travel:  (Joan Sciorra)
Joan reported that the trip to Brandywine was very successful.  The trip to New York City leaves tomorrow morning, April 29, with 136 people on 3 buses.  

Community Relations * (Frank Meredith)
Frank noted, as in his written report, that he had run out of catalogues to distribute, but that the problem was now fixed.  He had given the Lewes Library 50 copies, yet they ran out.

Social * (Bernie Fiegel)
Bernie remarked that the catalogue with the Blue Heron cover looks good, and there was general agreement.

On May 9 at 2:00 p.m. the Rehoboth Art League will dedicate the Amelie Anderson Sloan Hand-Building Studio, which is a great honor to our long-time member.
  
Bob reported that he had received a comment that the luncheon brochure omitted mention of the instructors whom the luncheon was supposed to be honoring.  A list of instructors to be honored probably ought to be included in every program.  Since we have two luncheons annually, each luncheon brochure only needs to honor the past semester’s instructors.  Ed suggested that we recognize the instructors for the June semester at the fall luncheon.

New Business:
Bob briefly supplemented his email explanation of proposed bylaw amendments.  As amended orally, the amendments were adopted by unanimous voice vote.  The bylaws as amended are posted on the bulletin board and on the website.

Next meeting:  
May 19, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in the Frederick  Thomas Bulding.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:19 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rob Morgan, Secretary