OLLI AT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
Registration Open for the 2023 Southern Regional Conference for Learning in Retirement
With a theme of "Engage, Encourage, Evolve," the annual Southern Regional Conference for Learning in Retirement (SRCLR) returns in July 2023! This year's event will be held July 17 - 19, 2023 and hosted by OLLI at Clemson University. The conference includes keynote speakers, roundtables, breakout sessions, and most importantly, plenty of time for OLLI and LLI staff, volunteers, and members to network and learn from their peers. Registration is $229 and includes all conference activities, five meals, and one reception. 
 
The venue is Clemson University's Madren Conference Center; the conference hotel is attached to the Center. Clemson, South Carolina is located approximately two hours from both Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC, and is 45 minutes from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). We're so excited to be offering this opportunity for your staff and volunteer leaders to get reenergized! Visit the SRCLR website for more information, and don't forget to check out our sponsor page.
 
Submitted by: Julie Vidotto, Director, OLLI at Clemson University 
OLLI AT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA ASHEVILLE
Gray Matters Mentoring
The goal of OLLI at UNC Asheville’s “Gray Matters: Community Connections” project is to develop meaningful relationships and tell stories about the positive impact OLLI members have on campus and in the Asheville community. Recently, project committee members created a slam dunk event that proved to be a win for all involved.
 
A Career Connections event brought together 12 student athletes from the Women’s Basketball Team with 12 OLLI member-mentors in lively discussions about future career potential for the students. UNC Asheville Assistant Athletic Director Rebecca Nelms and Gray Matters team member Kirk Borland, partnered to coordinate the event for the benefit of student athletes who have questions about career paths and their educational futures. Over a 90-minute span, the undergraduates spent about eight minutes each with the mentors. As the shot clock advanced, each student had a chance to gain career perspectives from another of the experienced career professionals from a variety of fields, making contacts for future discussions and career assistance. Both the OLLI and athlete teams called it a huge win.
 
Gray Matters team leader Chris Skoczynski burst with enthusiasm as she described the energy in the room, “This was amazing. They were all engaged and asking such meaningful questions!” Kirk Borland added, “I found these ladies to be quite self-confident and interested.”
 
The Career Connections event helped to realize the Gray Matters project goal of more robust communication and involvement with university departments and divisions. Mentors expressed a willingness to repeat the event with the men’s basketball team. This is the sort of collaborative experience that will help position the Osher Institute as a helpful resource for the university and the Asheville community at large.

INNOVATIVE COURSES AND CONTENT DELIVERY
Curriculum Corner
OLLI at Yavapai College
T'ai Chi Advanced

Course Length: 6 weeks
Course Instructor: Arlo Chan (pictured on left)
Course Delivery: Hybrid and activity/instruction

Course description: This class is based in Yang Style Long Form T’ai Chi and includes 108 postures. With 47 years of practice, 25 years under Master Mary Chow, and 21 years of teaching experience, Arlo Chan has a 5th generation, direct lineage to Yang Lu Chan, the founder of Yang Style T'ai Chi. Students will learn this gentle and powerful art in a dynamic group setting. Observers are always welcome and ongoing students have priority. This is not a passive course. Learning the Yang Style Long Form requires a six-month commitment and active participation. Students will work their mind as much as their body.

Of note: The instructor and several students began experimenting with Augmented Reality (AR) glasses and recordings of the instructor, so that students could practice at home between sessions. The AR glasses allow the students to continuously watch the instructor while turning 360 degrees, performing the 108 moves (again, from their home). Students have commented that their competency has been greatly enhanced by the use of A/R, and the ability to practice at home. 

Have a course you would like to share? Send it to [email protected]
QUICK TIPS FOR HELPING OPERATE AN OSHER INSTITUTE
Quick Tip - Parking Discounts as a Membership Recruitment Incentive
As we all know, parking is an issue for many OLLIs and their members. We also know, that many OLLIs are looking for methods to increase their membership. What if you brought these two areas together? OLLI at California State University, San Marcos (and others) are doing just that! CSU, San Marcos will be incentivizing member recruitment with free parking for any member who recruits a new member. Others have offered similar incentives. So, if parking and membership is an issue at your OLLI, looking into the opportunity of offering parking incentives might benefit all.
CAREER OPENINGS IN THE OLLI NETWORK
Job Board
Program Coordinator, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Administrative Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Administrative Assistant, OLLI

Office Specialist, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Is there a staff opening at your Osher Institute? Please send it to us at [email protected]