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 works with the OLLI Director to develop a stimulating, well-balanced schedule of courses for the fall and spring semesters.
Responsibilities
The committee works in partnership with the OLLI Director to help identify qualified instructors and interesting topics for a diverse, intellectually stimulating curriculum. Committee members help disseminate information about the course calendar and submission process; encourage submission of course proposals; approve and refine submitted proposals; and assess course policies, evaluation procedures, and the success of past semesters to determine future directions. The OLLI Director has sole hiring responsibility for all course instructors. The committee meets approximately seven times per year, mostly during peak review times (April-May, October-November).
2025-26 Curriculum Committee Members
- Ann Benefiel, Chair
- Brenda Berg
- Beverly Herzog
- Cecile Lebenson
- Ed Roy
- Jeff Moll
- Judy Moll
- Libbie Morley
- Margie Uzarski
- Paula Watson
- Sue Ingels
- Sally Anderson, Council Liaison
Development Committee
Statement of Purpose
The Development Committee works with the OLLI Director to ensure OLLI’s financial stability through fundraising efforts.
Responsibilities
In accordance with university policies and procedures, the Development Committee works with the Director and Advisory Council to articulate OLLI’s short- and long-term financial goals and plan and implement fundraising activities to help meet these goals. Committee members explain to OLLI members and supporters the importance of donations, encourage donations, and assist in thanking donors. Members may not approach individuals or agencies on behalf of OLLI without prior approval from the Director. The committee meets every other month for one hour.
2025-26 Development Committee Members
- Donna Offenbecher, Chair
- John Best
- Marne Helgesen
- Rebecca Nix
- Renee Potter
- Doug Staske, Council Liaison
eNews Committee
Statement of Purpose
The eNews Committee produces three eNews issues and two Bookshelf issues a year for OLLI members and supporters.
Responsibilities
eNews committee members review the publication schedule, brainstorm topics, and undertake such tasks as interviewing, writing, editing, taking photos, and handling technical production. Due to the specific expertise involved in producing each issue, there are no member term limits. Some committee members have been actively involved for many years, but new members are always welcome. The committee meets for one hour six times per.
2025-26 eNews Committee Members
- Eileen Kohen, Chair
- Jeff Moll, Technical Specialist
- Liz Abraham
- Robin Goettel
- Paula Kaufman
- Barbara Meyer
- Jean Paley
- Cecile Steinberg
- Casey Sutherland
- Kathy Valdes
- Jerry Soesbe, Council Liaison
Lecture Committee
Statement of Purpose
The Lecture Committee works with the OLLI Director to develop a stimulating, well-balanced schedule of lectures and workshops throughout the year.
Responsibilities
The Lecture Committee identifies speakers and topics that will result in a diverse, intellectually stimulating series of lectures and workshops; 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. The committee meets every other month for one hour.
2025-26 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 recruit new members and promote OLLI to the broader community.
Responsibilities
The committee advises staff on OLLI’s member recruitment strategy, the annual marketing calendar, and the content of marketing materials that staff create in collaboration with Strategic Communication and Marketing. The committee also assists with member recruitment and/or community events, helps distribute marketing materials and promote social media posts, and maintains a list of local media outlets and locations for speaker opportunities. The committee meets nine times per year for one hour.
2025-26 Marketing Committee Members
- Kate Dobrovolny, Chair
- Roger Epperson
- Beth Martin
- Karen Reifsteck
- Katherine Ryan, Council Liaison
Membership Committee
Statement of Purpose
The Membership Committee creates and implements plans for the orientation and retention of OLLI members.
Responsibilities
The committee is responsible for welcoming new members and reaching out to new and returning members at informal activities designed to engage and sustain OLLI membership. The committee also assists OLLI staff in planning trips and social events and staffing the Annual Meeting and special events throughout the year. The committee meets every other month for one hour.
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 works with staff to develop four sessions per year of member-led discussion groups, each six weeks in length.
Responsibilities
The committee works with OLLI staff to provide 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 schedules; and assesses proposal policies and evaluation procedures. The committee meets nine times per year for one hour; during peak review times, some meetings may be longer.
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