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OLLI at Illinois - Lifelong Learning Community

Committees   

OLLI at Illinois is a member-centered community that is guided by a volunteer Advisory Council and seven standing committees comprised of members representing a wide variety of backgrounds.

 

Curriculum Committee

Statement of Purpose

The Curriculum Committee is responsible for developing a stimulating, well-balanced schedule of courses for the fall and spring semesters. The committee meets once per month for one hour; during peak review times, some meetings may be longer.

Responsibilities

The committee works in partnership with the OLLI Director to identify instructors and topics that will result in a diverse, intellectually stimulating curriculum; reviews course and instructor evaluations to assess past performance and determine future directions; approves and refines course proposals; and assesses course policies and evaluation procedures. The OLLI Director has sole hiring responsibility for all course instructors, and committee members may not discuss hiring details or terms of employment with any potential or current instructors.

Curriculum Committee Members

  • Ann Benefiel, Chair
  • Brenda Berg
  • Beverly Herzog 
  • Cecile Lebenson
  • Ed Roy 
  • Jeff Moll 
  • Judy Moll 
  • Libbie Morely
  • Margie Uzarski
  • Paula Watson
  • Sue Ingels 
  • Sally Anderson, Council Liaison

 

Development Committee

Statement of Purpose

The Development Committee works with the OLLI Director and Advisory Council to plan and implement fundraising activities that help to meet OLLI’s financial goals. The committee meets every other month for one hour.

Responsibilities

In accordance with university policies and procedures, the Development Committee works with the Director and Council to plan and implement fundraising to help meet OLLI’s financial goals. Members may not approach individuals or agencies on behalf of OLLI without prior approval from the Director.

Development Committee Members

  • Donna Offenbecher, Chair
  • John Best
  • Marne Helgesen
  • Rebecca Nix
  • Renee Potter
  • Joan Tousey
  • Doug Staske, Council Liaison

 

eNews Committee

Statement of Purpose

The eNews Committee produces three eNews issues and two Bookshelf issues a year. The committee meets six times per year for one hour.

Responsibilities

eNews committee members have a variety of expertise related to planning, writing, editing, journalism, and technical production. Due to the specific expertise involved in producing an issue, there are no member term limits. Some committee members have been actively involved for many years. 

For each issue committee members meet to brainstorm topics, review the schedule, and assign responsibilities. 

2025-26 eNews Committee Members

  • Eileen Kohen, Chair
  • Jeff Moll, Technical Specialist
  • Liz Abraham
  • Robin Goettel
  • Paula Kaufman
  • Barbara Meyer
  • Frank Modica
  • Jean Paley
  • Cecile Steinberg
  • Casey Sutherland
  • Kathy Valdes
  • Jerry Soesbe, Council Liaison

 

Lecture Committee

Statement of Purpose

The Lecture Committee is responsible for developing a stimulating, well-balanced schedule of lectures throughout the year. The committee meets every other month for one hour.

Responsibilities

The Lecture Committee works in consultation with the OLLI Director to identify speakers and topics that will result in a diverse, intellectually stimulating series of lectures; reviews the success of past lectures to determine future directions; approves and helps coordinate speaker events; and establishes and assesses lecture policies and proposal procedures.

Lecture Committee Members

  • Wynne Korr, Chair
  • Mark David
  • Jean Holley
  • Bruce Michelson
  • Elizabeth Felts Olmsted
  • Alice Tiso
  • Ann Campbell, Council Liaison

 

Marketing Committee

Statement of Purpose

The Marketing Committee works with OLLI staff to promote OLLI to the broader community, recruit new members, and establish community partners. The committee will help design and distribute marketing materials, assist with social media posts, maintain a list of local media outlets, and maintain data on marketing efforts. The committee meets every other month for one hour.

Responsibilities

The committee develops a marketing strategy each year and works with the director and staff to implement that strategy.

2025-26 Marketing Committee Members

  • Kate Dobrovolny, Chair
  • Roger Epperson
  • Marie Maltbie
  • Beth Martin
  • Karen Reifsteck
  • Lex Tate
  • Sharon Williams
  • Katherine Ryan, Council Liaison

 

Membership Committee

Statement of Purpose

The Membership Committee creates and implements plans for the orientation and retention of OLLI members. The committee meets every other month for one hour.

Responsibilities

The committee is responsible for welcoming new members through personalized letters and new-member orientation sessions held prior to the start of each semester; and reaching out to new and returning members at informal activities designed to engage and sustain OLLI membership. The committee also assists the OLLI staff in arranging and staffing the Annual Meeting and special events throughout the year, and in distributing member information and marketing materials.

2025-26 Membership Committee Members

  • Margaret Maurer, Chair
  • Nancy Goodall
  • Kandra Miller
  • Christina Myers
  • Mike Murphy
  • Chris Whippo
  • Frank Chadwick, Council Liaison

 

Study Group Committee

Statement of Purpose

The Study Group Committee develops and approves a schedule of peer-led discussion groups on a wide variety of topics. The committee meets once per month for one hour; during peak review times, some meetings may be longer.

Responsibilities

The committee provides support and guidance to study group facilitators through workshops and training meetings; encourages member participation in the facilitation of groups and suggestion of potential topics; reviews and approves study group proposals; and assesses proposal policies and evaluation procedures.

2025-26 Study Group Committee Members

  • Linda Coleman, Chair
  • Cathrine Blom
  • Roy Campbell
  • Joyce Eisenstein
  • Donald Fournier
  • Kathy Marshak
  • Judy Moll
  • Barbara Schleicher, Council Liaison
 

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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

301 North Neil Street, Suite 201

Champaign, IL 61820

Phone: 217-244-9141

Email: OLLI@illinois.edu

OLLI at Illinois is an inclusive community that offers affordable, accessible, high-quality educational programs designed for people fifty and older connected to East Central Illinois. OLLI at Illinois offers Courses, Study Groups, Lectures, Interest Groups, and other Events throughout the year for adult lifelong learners. Events may be in-person sessions, online-only via Zoom sessions, or hybrid (in-person and Zoom webinar) sessions. We hope you will join or rejoin OLLI at Illinois! Stay Curious!

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