Council Minutes
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Lewes
Frederick Thomas Building
September 17, 2015

In attendance were: Council members Bill Sharkey (chair), Bob Comeau (chair emeritus), Peter Feeney, Dolores Fiegel, Mary Folan, Philip Fretz, Lynn Kroesen, Sabatino Maglione, Rob Morgan, Carol West; committee chairs Bernie Fiegel and Joan Sciorra; program coordinator Anna Moshier; administrative assistant Renée Moy; and University representative Jim Broomall.

Bill called the meeting to order at 12:20 p.m.

The agenda and the minutes of August 17th were approved.

Staff:
Anna asked for a volunteer from the Council to act as a tour guide for the UD Professional and Continuing Studies staff who will visit Osher-Lewes on September 29th.  Bill Sharkey volunteered.
 
University:
Jim Broomall shared plans for the University’s Annual Fund Appeal in May 2016.  The Osher Wilmington program first participated in 2012, to demonstrate the members’ investment in their program’s future.  Jim encouraged similar involvement from Osher Lewes, perhaps as a contribution to the Future Fund.

Committee reports (* indicates report on file)

Academic Affairs (Mary Folan/Carol West)
Department chairs are needed for Economics & Finance, and Information Technology

The instructor recognition breakfast will be on May 4, 2016 at the Kings Creek Country Club.

Communication (Lynn Kroesen)
The deadline for contributions to the next Tides is Saturday, October 17th, right after the picnic, although the sooner the better.

Travel (Joan Sciorra)
We have filled two motor coaches for the New York City trip with 45 people on the waiting list.  

Three other trips are tentatively scheduled but need at least 30 people each to sign up.

Social (Bernie Fiegel)
The picnic is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13th, so that we don’t lose a Monday.  

The holiday luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, December 3rd, at the Atlantic Sands Hotel.

The spring catalogue is in its first production phase.

Community Relations * (Dolores Fiegel)
Please see Dolores’ written report.   Dolores passed around a sign-up sheet for volunteers for Coast Day on October 4th.  She is hoping to have new brochures for handouts.

Dolores is looking for 12 volunteers as docents at Dorothy Greet’s house for the Lewes Historical Society Tour on Saturday December 5th. 

Beach Life magazine will publish a story on the Kitchen Kapers class in their October issue.

Long Range Planning (Peter Feeney)
Pete asked for guidance from the Council.  Bill suggested beginning with a mission or vision statement

Scholarship (Sabatino Maglione)
Seven scholarships have been awarded.  Nine were offered, but two recipients declined because they could not take the courses they were interested in.

Financial *(Philip Fretz)
Please see Phil’s written report.  Phil noted that he had listed every fund on the spreadsheet; Bill said he thought that was very helpful.  

New Business:
Anna requested approval to buy two Elmos and two Shures.  Mary so moved and the motion passed without objection.

Anna noted that the refrigerator was breaking down and asked whether she should get a new one or, instead, a vending machine.  A vending machine would eliminate the need to restock the refrigerator.  The Council’s sentiment favored asking its members for a donated refrigerator.  Pete moved to authorize $499.99 for the purchase of a refrigerator if none was donated and the motion was approved without objection.  Anna will wait a week or ten days for a donation.

Anna noted that there had been a few complaints from our members about parking, maybe because it was the beginning of a semester.  There was also a complaint from the City about someone blocking a private driveway.  

Bill passed out the policy for classes on Jewish High Holy Days.  The University’s policy is not to cancel classes on such holidays.  Jim Broomall advised the Council to follow the policy so that we have the defense of following University policy in the event of a complaint.  Bill will address the subject in the newsletter.

Bill raised the subject of encouraging diversity.  He recalled that Barbara Vaughan and Beverly Gayhardt had twice undertaken to boost African-American participation with virtually no success.  Bill noted that African-Americans don’t tend to retire here, while those who grew up here have developed other interests by the time they’re 50 and are not looking for something like OLLI.  Anna noted that to attract minority students we would need minority instructors on relevant topics.  Bill encouraged our members as individuals to recruit members of minority groups.  Jim pointed out that diversity is not just racial, and that Osher-Lewes might be doing well on, for example, LGBT inclusion.  Bill tabled the topic for further consideration.

Anna reported that a membership survey had been suggested to her.  Lynn offered to work with Anna and Renée to develop questions for such a survey.  

Next meeting:  October 22nd at 12:20 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:23 p.m.

Rob Morgan, Secretary 
(with help from Renée)