olli northwestern university the olli community in the community
TRANSCRIPT
OLLI Northwestern University
THE OLLI COMMUNITY
IN THE
COMMUNITY
THE OLLI COMMUNITY IN THE COMMUNITY
AGENDA
How it Began at OLLI NU
The Civic Engagement Framework
Civic Engagement Models
Coordinator Role
Selecting a Partner Organization
OLLI NU Video
Challenges & Rewards
Recipe for Success
Q & A / Discussion
What Are Your Members Passionate About?
Literacy Entrepreneurship
The Environment
Better Government
Inequality
Education
Global Health
Poverty
Peace
Animals
Urban Issues
OLLI NU introduces....
Civic Engagement Study Groups
Civic Engagement Framework
READ: Academic Component
ENGAGE: Volunteer Component
REFLECT: Connects learning with experience
3 Models
1. PARTNERSHIPS IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
2. INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
3. REFLECTIONS ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
#1 PARTNERSHIPS IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
• Involves a Partner Organization
• 50% Academic time/ 50% volunteer time • Involves a Partner Agreement
• Fall and Spring Semesters
#2 INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
• Academic Study plus volunteer on your own
• Help Available to find not-for-profits
• Offered in any Semester
#3 REFLECTIONS ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
• Participants already volunteering
• Use creativity to stimulate sharing
• Offered in shorter Summer and Winter Semesters
Keyword:
"Mean...ing...ful"
Having a serious, important, or useful quality
COORDINATOR Orchestrates the Show!!
Coordinator Role
• Designing the Study Group
• Selecting the Partner Organization
• Create a Meaningful Volunteer Experience
• Formulate the Partner Agreement • Organize Volunteer Readiness
• Incorporate Reflection into the experience
Designing the Study Group
• Select the Topic
• Identify Readings and other Source Material
• Plan early, but address needs of Partner Organization • Determine how many classroom sessions and how many
volunteering
• If funds are required, gain pre approval from OLLI director • Consider OLLI calendar and study group approval process
Selecting the Partner Organization
• Find the right not-for profit partner organization • Consider those large enough to have Volunteer Coordinator
• Consider safety
• Reach Agreement on:o MEANINGFUL Volunteer Experienceo Timing, Location, Number of Volunteerso Expected Outcomeso Level of participation by Partner Organizationo Volunteer readiness
• OLLI participants become volunteers of Partner
• Most Partners will require background check
Partner AgreementNAMES : Study Group Name, Coordinators, Partner Organization and Contact Information
LOGISTICS: Specifics on dates, times, locations, requirements for volunteers (background checks; TB tests etc.)
READ: Summary of academic content
ENGAGE: Describe volunteer activity
REFLECT: Time devoted to reflection
VOLUNTEER READINESS: Describe how volunteers will be prepared and level of participation by Partner
BUDGET: Detail projected budget
Reflection
• Helps connect learning with the experience
• Helps to process the experience
• Consider the larger context
• Partner Organization may participate;
• Or you may also choose a separate de-briefing with Partner Organization
Lessons Learned by Coordinators
• Structure Volunteer experience to enhance academic learning
• Choose Partner Organization able to accommodate 10 volunteers
• Structure assignments so personal relationships can develop
• Manage expectations and group dynamics
• Flexibility helps!!
Challenges
• Need strong member(s) to champion Civic Engagement •Organizes a committee who will help conceptualize the effort
•Helps communicate the concept to membership
•Provides ongoing support and mentoring for Coordinators
•Can help with Study Group Design
•Serves as "Institutional Memory" about Partners
•Keeps up the “buzz”
Challenges for OLLI’s (cont.)
• Need ongoing effort to Institutionalize Civic Engagement • Kick-off workshops • Communicate, communicate, communicate• Create opportunities for civic engagement “aha” moments
– Volunteer Roundtable – OLLI in Action Network
• Optimum number of Civic Engagement Study Groups
• Mission Creep
The Rewards
• Provides fulfillment • Increases opportunity to learn new skills • Richer understanding of the issues • Provides personal growth opportunity • Provides social connections beyond the classroom• Enhances community / university relationship
“This has changed my life. I really love it.”-- OLLI member said of her volunteering with a refugee
Recipe for Success Ingredients:•A robust champion •A workable structure •Supportive resources•Creative and innovative coordinators
Preassemble your ingredients carefully! Add to the mix an enthusiastic non-profit partner. Work in small batches. Simmer on low, stirring constantly. Season to your own taste.
To Learn More …
• www.continuum.northwestern.edu
• Search for: Retirement 201: Advanced Study in Retirement
• Contact Judy Mann, [email protected]
The OLLI Community in THE Community
Q & A
Discussion