BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

The Nov 18 Board of Directors meeting

By Rod Zumbro, OLLI E-News Editor

THE OLLI BOARD OF DIRECTORS met Friday, November 18 at Tallwood. In his written report to the Board, Executive Director Thom Clement noted that the architectural and engineering firm with which OLLI has contracted is working on the second draft of OLLI facility needs, based on interviews with OLLI reps and analysis of our registration data. We are emphasizing our interest in facilities that could be used not only by OLLI but also by the University during afternoons and evenings. (The hope is that the University might help fund facility improvements.) The firm's final report is expected to include options for improvements to Tallwood as well as plans for new facilities on a different site.
     Board members discussed the treasurer's resolution for a $10 dues increase to $360 annually, beginning with the spring 2012 term. By a 13-to-3 vote, the Board approved the dues increase – the first increase in five years, since spring 2007.
     The Board then voted unanimously to approve the budget prepared by the executive director and recommended by the Finance Committee. The budget's projected 2012 expenditures total $405,000 (7.3 percent above the 2011 level) – including money for reprogramming the registration system, setting aside money for capital expenditures, and less than 3 percent increase in payroll expenses (the single largest budget category, at $217,000). Other major categories are general/administrative ($72,000), facilities ($42,000) and equipment ($30,000). Based on the membership growth assumption of 1,026 members by the end of 2012, there should be a small budget surplus for 2012; without the dues increase, a deficit would have been expected.
     The next meeting of the Board will be at 10:00 on Friday, January 20, 2012 at Tallwood. All OLLI members are invited to attend.

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PROGRAM CORNER

By Kathryn Russell, Program Committee Chair
JUST AS THE COLD, GRAY DAYS ARRIVE, you have some relief arriving soon in your mailbox: The OLLI winter catalog. Or, if you just can't wait, check out the fabulous new lineup of courses on our website (click catalog image at right). Our great program planners from all three sites have assembled an amazing collection of courses in every subject area.
     Look for offerings by several Mason professors, as well as instructors from outside OLLI. Here are just a few examples:

• "Beyond the Borderlands" (F653) by Prof. Debra Shutika
• "Technology, Culture, Social Networks and the Arab Spring" (F651) by Prof. Stephen Ruth
• "Music Series" (L106), performances featuring Monika Chamasyan on violin and Marina Chamasyan on piano
• "Religions of Asia" (F601) by Prof. Cuong Tu Nguyen and Prof. Young-chan Ro
• "Biographies: Lives in Science" (R804), a multi-instructor course
  

     This is definitely the time to spend some cold winter days reading a good book. You'll find many opportunities here:

• "A Modern Classic ― Howard's End" (F402)
• "From Literature to Film: James Joyce and John Huston" (R408)
• "Evelyn Waugh — Brideshead Revisited" (R410)
• "Strictly Sonnets" (L415)
• "Dystopian Literature: The Giver and The Hunger Games" (F405)

     If you're looking for some courses featuring needful information, you'll find some fascinating titles such as "Lifestyle Changes Facing Seniors" (F201), "I'm Retired, Inadequate or No Pension. What Now?" (F202), and "Family Systems and Seniors" (R803). And don't miss "Comfort Foods" (F901) to warm body and soul.
     I hope I've offered enough tidbits to whet your appetite for this exciting winter term. As usual, making choices will be difficult, and just when you think you've finished, you'll have to think about Special Events and ongoing activities—a subject for next week.