Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Lewes
Council Minutes
Frederick Thomas Building
October 21, 2014

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

Bill Sharkey called the meeting to order at 12:23 p.m.

The agenda and the minutes of the Council meeting on September 23, 2014, as amended, were approved.

Staff:
Anna reported that Carol Bernard has taken over as the manager of OLLI’s Wilmington institute.

Volunteer descriptions are due in today.

There was a request from a member to see whether it is possible to put a sign for our institute at Fourth Street & Dupont Avenue.  Rob will investigate the possibility.

Anna requested $155 to purchase a tablecloth.  The request was approved by consensus.

The Southern Delaware Arts & Humanities Consortium met last Friday.  Not much happened. Anna and Bill will attend a meeting of the Delaware Division of the Arts on Monday at 4:00 p.m. at the Milton Theater to discuss a long-range plan.  

The possibility of creating a membership handbook, separate from the pages in the catalogue, was discussed, since we only have a trifold to hand to someone who comes in off the street.  We would like to provide potential new members with more information about Osher.

Anna would like the Academic Affairs and Travel committees to meet with their volunteers more often.  Bernie proposed considering a volunteer coordinator.

Next semester Andy Mollura from AARP will be teaching a basic and refresher course on Driver’s Ed on two Fridays. Mary offered to get an article on the course to Lynn for the Tides.  Lynn noted that attendance helps reduce insurance costs.  We now have our profile on AARP, thanks to Mary and Carol. 
 
Bernie suggested replacing the refrigerator, and mounting another flat screen in the hallway for people who come in the side entrance.

Committee reports (*indicates report on file)

Scholarships:  (Sabatino Maglione).  Sabatino noted that people may be reluctant to declare their income in order to obtain a scholarship.  Anna asked whether we are soliciting an audience of students who are already attending, or of people who are not yet coming and asked whether a press release would be appropriate?  The point of telling current members about the program may be to encourage their friends.  Sabatino will send Anna an email with a proposed announcement of the scholarship program.  Donna noted that she tells potential students that if you apply for a scholarship, you get one. Lynn would be glad to put an article in the newsletter.

Financial * (Jack Boettger)  
Jack had submitted his financial report by email and there was no discussion.

Academic Affairs (Mary Folan/Carol West)  
There will be 68-70 courses offered for the spring.

Communications * (Lynn Kroesen)  
Bill congratulated Lynn on the issue of Tides that just came out.  Lynn thanked her contributors.  The next issue will come out after the December luncheon with a deadline of December 8, probably the same day that the catalog will be online.

Travel:  (Mary Folan/Joan Sciorra)
Joan reported that 140 people have paid for the trip to NYC and 10 have signed up but not yet paid.  The April trip is a go.  

Mary reported that there has already been one successful trip to a performance of the UD Resident Ensemble Players.  She has arranged for a second one and will buy tickets for a third.  She hopes that this will become an ongoing program year to year.  Anna asked about individual tickets; Mary replied that the advantage of season tickets is getting the same seat each performance in the orchestra; we can fill in with individual tickets.  Mary is waiting to see what kind of continuity we get.  
Thirty-one people signed up for the dinner on the last trip for Angels in America, and 29 went.  

Two other field trips are scheduled:  to the Walters and Baltimore art museums on Wednesday November 19th, and a trip to DC scheduled by Kevin Kelly for November 20th focused on the Civil War and to the Portrait Gallery and Museum of American Art.

Social * (Bernie Fiegel/Joan Sciorra)
Bernie had submitted a report for the Council.  In addition, he noted that he plans to meet with the Sands this week or next to set up the menu and determine costs for the December 3rd luncheon.  

Community Relations * (Donna Beecher)
Donna had submitted a report for the Council along with her article on Coast Day that appeared in the Tides.  
On October 31st she will be hosting a booth and giving a small presentation at the Live Healthy healthcare event at Ocean View.  
On December 23rd she is scheduled to set up our display of spring catalogues at the South Bethany library.  She would like professional-looking signs of various sizes, because libraries have different needs.  
The Southern Delaware Choral Society is asking if we would like to advertise in their 2014-15 program.  A half-page ad costs $195; a quarter-page costs $95.  The Council approved paying for a half-page ad.  Anna will follow up before the Friday deadline.    Bernie pointed out we buy a half-page ad in the Coastal Concerts program.

Library * (Ruth Barnett)
Ruth had sent a note that the library catalogue is on line now, and the newsletter explains how to access it.

Old Business
Anna recommended giving a laptop from our inventory to Bill Ashmore, who needs one, since we do not currently have any courses that require laptops.  No Council action is needed.

The kickoff meeting for the CHSD Facilities task force will be tomorrow in the Frederick Thomas Building.  Bob Comeau is our representative on the task force but will be out of town, so Bill will attend for us.

Dues to join the Milton Chamber of Commerce are $175, and it is unclear what the Chamber offers.  Anna is holding off on their request that we join until she gets more information.

Next meeting:  
The next meeting will be on November 18th at 12:20 in the Fred Thomas Bldg.

The meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m.

Rob Morgan, Secretary