Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Lewes
Council Minutes
Frederick Thomas Building
May 19, 2014

In attendance were Council members Donna Beecher, Jack Boettger, Bob Comeau (chair), Bo French, Lynn Kroesen, Sabatino Maglione, Frank Meredith, Rob Morgan, Bill Sharkey (chair-elect), Carol West, and OLLI-Lewes program coordinator Anna Moshier (ex officio); committee chairs Bernie Fiegel and Joan Sciorra; University representative Jim Broomall; and OLLI-Dover program coordinator Tim Plimpton.

Bob called the meeting to order at 10:32 a.m.

Bob thanked Frank Meredith, whose second term expired at this meeting, for his six years of great service on community relations, Coast Day, and other duties.

Bob, whose second term also expired at this meeting, thanked the Council for his own exciting four years as Chair.  Anna thanked Bob for his leadership.

Bob asked for nominations for his successor as Chair.  Donna nominated Bill Sharkey, who was elected by acclamation.

Chair:
Bill took the Chair and asked for nominations for Vice Chair to succeed Donna Beecher, who declined to stand for re-election to the office because of her travel schedule.  Rob nominated Lynn to be Vice Chair and Lynn was elected by unanimous voice vote.  Lynn nominated Rob to continue as Secretary, and Rob was re-elected also by unanimous voice vote.

Bill noted that he had had Anna’s job for 14 years, and only left it five years ago.

The agenda and the minutes of the April meeting, as amended, were approved.

Staff:
Anna introduced Tim Plimpton as OLLI’s new Coordinator for Dover.  

Dover has aligned its fee structure with ours.  

Anna also spoke about the Rehoboth Film Society and its MOU with OLLI.  There is a legislative breakfast on May 30th focused on getting and acquiring some land for a community cultural center here.  If anyone is interested, Anna asked that they let her know. 

University:
Jim Broomall noted that with the hiring of Tim the University had made a commitment to grow Lifelong Learning in both Sussex and Kent Counties, and the growth was happening.

Committee reports (*indicates report on file)

Community Relations * (Frank Meredith).  Frank said he had covered the committee’s activities in his report.

Financial * (Jack Boettger)  Jack noted that there was little to cover beyond his report, and summarized some of the key figures in the financial statements.

Academic Affairs (Donna Beecher and Carol West)
 Anna reported that Donna, Carol, and Ed will be running the instructor orientation on May 29th for the summer semester.  

There are 205 registrations for the summer semester as of this morning, with a few yet to process, so we will definitely match the 225 students we had last year.  Only five students did not get their first priority, which was for Bernie’s class in each case. 
 
We will be able to email, rather than mail via USPS, all but six percent (14) of the confirmations.  

There are 74 classes lined up for the fall; Carol’s emails reminding department heads to solicit their faculties for more courses really helped; it appears that the communications chain worked well.

Communications (Lynn Kroesen)  
Lynn is looking to set Monday, July 14th (Bastille Day) as the deadline for the summer issue of Tides and to have the issue out by the end of that week.  She would like something from academic affairs pushing for fall registration, something from the library, and something on the next trip to New York.  Lynn asked for other items, including photos of summer classes and guest speakers taken with smart phones or otherwise.  

Lynn suggested that Joan needs a raise for her work in organizing the NYC trips; Joan does a wonderful job in organizing 150 people.  It was agreed to triple Joan’s salary (currently at zero).  

Travel:  (Joan Sciorra)
The recent trip to NYC was successful despite the weather.  130 people made the trip, even though there were more cancellations at the last minute than ever before in the last 13 years.  

Going into Brooklyn was a mistake — it took an hour to get in and as much again to get out.  

Most people who took the trip are interested in coming back next year.

Social (Bernie Fiegel) 

Bernie noted that a number of people had praised the 25th anniversary luncheon.  December 3rd is the date for the next luncheon.  

Old Business:  
The refund policy:  Anna noted that we will be very strict on getting requests in writing.  We want to be sure we can include the refund policy when people sign up on their receipts.  Once we have made the final payment for a trip we cannot make refunds.  

The Ocean View lease:  Bob reported that all issues have been resolved.  The U.D. Facilities folks in Newark say the paperwork is on the way for signature.  Anna adds that Bill Ashmore and she are going to the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce, finding out what all of our benefits are.  Carol and Anna will be working on other routes to the office there while the roads are being torn up.

New Business:
Bill notified the Council members that a realignment of committee assignments is coming.  He would like to talk to each member individually about them.

A vote of thanks was voted to Bob Comeau for his four years of strong and effective leadership of the Council, mentoring of its newer members, gracious presiding at membership meetings, and guidance of the organization through rapid growth and into new quarters.  After a chorus of seconds the motion was adopted to loud and general applause.

The next meeting will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday June 30th.  Anna will find the space.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rob Morgan, Secretary