Document text
2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Learn about proposed 55-mile scenic bikeway outside Ashland Plastic Round-up set for May in new location Ashlanders respond to controversy raised by Indiana law Bracing for Common Core Lithia Park featured on Oregon Blue Book cover Education Bracing for Common Core Ashland Kiwanis recognize Lillian Huang Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Environment Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Ram Laramie Longhorn 1500 Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant Cars We Remember: ‘Topper’ movie car most memorable Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Upset-minded Raiders swept by No. 17 Concordia AHS softball team routs Churchill Four-year letterman Fredrickson leads sizzling Grizzlies Trip of a lifetime Paul nets 41 as Clippers rally past Trail Blazers High school Upset-minded Raiders swept by No. 17 Concordia AHS softball team routs Churchill Four-year letterman Fredrickson leads sizzling Grizzlies Grizzlies ace first MWL test Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Southern Oregon University Upset-minded Raiders swept by No. 17 Concordia Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Voices Latest Stories Herb Rothschild: Stick to the facts Letters to the Editor, April 4 Our View: Ashland climate plan: Small steps add up Jeffrey Gillespie: Dancing the Pyongyang Polka Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying Editorial Our View: Ashland climate plan: Small steps add up Our View: More of the same at SOU? Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Our View: One for the books Our View: Build it; they will play Letters Letters to the Editor, April 4 Letters to the Editor, April 1 Letters to the Editor, March 30 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Herb Rothschild: Stick to the facts Jeffrey Gillespie: Dancing the Pyongyang Polka Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying Matthew T. Mangino: Prison deaths on the rise Council Corner: Ashland’s climate plan Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Community blog: Poets, put on your party shoes Spring exhibitions open at Schneider Museum of Art Community blog: Ashland High grad performs at OSF's Hip Hop Open Mic Top 5 things to do this week Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' Music A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Movies Movie review: Suspend all belief in reality — ‘Furious 7’ is just fun Movie review: The action is even more insane in ‘Furious 7’ Movie review: ‘While We’re Young’ is a thought-provoking comedy-drama Alan Alda knows the secrets to acting, marriage Movie Listings: April 3-9 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Health Watch: Work out like a pro athlete App Finder: Best baseball apps Ride & Drive: 2015 Ram Laramie Longhorn 1500 Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Ashland Kiwanis recognize Lillian Huang Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Learn about proposed 55-mile scenic bikeway outside Ashland ... Plastic Round-up set for May in new location ... Herb Rothschild: Stick to the facts ... Learn about proposed 55-mile scenic bikeway outside Ashland ... Plastic Round-up set for May in new location ... Herb Rothschild: Stick to the facts ... ASHLAND RUNS ON VOLUNTEERS Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning Comment By Mary I. Coombs DailyTidings.com By Mary I. Coombs Posted Mar. 31, 2015 at 4:18 PM By Mary I. Coombs Posted Mar. 31, 2015 at 4:18 PM » Social News Many readers over 50 know about Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI); the others probably should. OLLI, an adult learning organization, is based at SOU. (It was originally a free-standing organization; since 2007 it has been one of the 120 nationwide Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes.) OLLI offers classes in a wide variety of subjects to its members: though it is geared for those age 50-plus, any adult can become a member for an annual fee of $125, which entitles them to take as many classes as they can schedule in any or all of the three semesters: fall, spring and summer. Like many member organizations, OLLI uses volunteers for many of the tasks needed to make the organization work. There are only a very few paid staff; volunteers fill over 150 roles, from class hosts, to community relations and outreach to other nonprofits, to landscaping, office work and the Council (selected by members). These volunteer positions vary widely in the required time commitment and the need for particular skills. What is unique about OLLI is the role of volunteers as instructors (over 150 this year) for each of the classes offered. The courses — almost 275 last year — cover a wide range of both “academic” and “skills” topics. For example, among this spring’s offerings are Singing Along in Spanish, Cities of the Ancient World, Crosswords Practicum and Understanding Medical Technology. Who teaches them? The great majority are taught by the members. In many cases, people draw on expertise they developed in their working lives; others take the time in retirement to develop a hobby or an area of interest to a level where they can teach others. Courses can be offered once a week for anywhere from two to 10 sessions in a semester in Ashland or at the Medford campus at Rogue Community College (RCC) or both. As a retired university professor and OLLI faculty member, I can attest to the joy of teaching a class without exams or credits, where the people are there for the learning experience —and where many of them bring skills, interests and knowledge that make the learning at least two-way. And the OLLI program does a great job of supporting the instructors with administrative and IT support. For both the students and the instructors (largely overlapping groups), OLLI provides a whole range of direct and indirect benefits. There is the intellectual stimulation of teaching and/or learning. There is the creation of community at a range of levels. The students and teacher within a particular course often learn together and from each other. The students in a course, or courses that meet at the same location at the same time, have an opportunity to get to know each other better before and after class and during breaks — unlike many organizations, the same group of people are together for two to three hours every week for several weeks. There is a community of people who may have much in common, or be interestingly different, but who share an interest in the subject of the course. OLLI leadership long ago recognized that Ashland Runs On Volunteers. They have worked hard at outreach, so OLLI members know about other organizations in the community where they might volunteer or partake of what the organization offers — and vice-versa. In particular, they are planning to repeat last year’s OLLI Open House in July. As in 2014, about two dozen community organizations will have tables where attendees can learn about what these organizations offer. Registration for unfilled spring term classes continues throughout the term for courses that have not yet begun. The term runs April 6 through June 12. If you want to know more about OLLI sooner than July, go to www.sou.edu, call 541-552-6048, or stop by the office at the Campbell Center at 655 Frances Lane on the southern edge of the SOU campus.  Mary I. Coombs’ column on local nonprofit organizations appears every three weeks. Email questions and suggestions to [email protected]. By Mary I. Coombs DailyTidings.com By Mary I. Coombs Posted Mar. 31, 2015 at 4:18 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501