Persons  must register to attend

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Yavapai College, Sedona Center, is offering a free class entitled “Climate Change: Cause and Cascading Consequences,” this coming Friday, January 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sedona Center or on zoom.  Facilitator will be live in the classroom and students can choose to attend either via Zoom or in person.

 Students are asked to select in person or zoom when they register, which is a requirement.   For more information call 928-649-4275 or email ollisv@yc.edu or visit the website at yc.edu/ollisedonaverde.

The presenter for this program is Dr. Stefan Sommer. He is the Director of Education at the Merriam Powell Center at NAU. His doctoral work is in ecological sustainability, and he has studied effective communication across cultural boundaries in many contexts including PBS film production.

OLLI describes the program as follows: “If you have ever wondered about what aspects of climate are really changing then this is a presentation meant for you. The current scientific understanding of climate change will be presented as well as the effects of these changes on Arizona ecosystems, on human wellbeing, and on the Arizona and US economies. Regional climate change and regional economic impacts will also be discussed.”

Sharleen Henderson, president of the Coalition Against Human Trafficking- Northern Arizona will present “Human Trafficking – It Happens Here Too”

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Yavapai College, Verde Valley Campus is providing six free community presentations (one each week) beginning this week. Members of the community are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch while enjoying these programs.

Wednesday’s presentation will be on the Verde Campus in Clarkdale in Building “G”.  It begins at 1 p.m. and is anticipated to end at 2 p.m. 

Although the program is free, persons desiring to attend must first register. For information call 928-649-4275 or email ollisv@yc.edu or visit the website at yc.edu/ollisedonaverde. You may register for one or all of the programs at the same time.

Wednesday’s program features Sharleen Henderson, president of the Coalition Against Human Trafficking- Northern Arizona. Her topic is “Human Trafficking- It Happens Here Too”.

The Coalition Against Human Trafficking -Northern Arizona, is a nonprofit grass roots organization dedicated to combating human trafficking in our communities through increasing awareness about this growing problem.  Its mission is to educate, network and partner with law enforcement, schools, community organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, government agencies, first responders and service providers to help eradicate human trafficking.

Named “Community Collaborator of the Year” by Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona

Dr. Paul Friedman will be recognized by the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona as one of five “community heroes” who go “above and beyond “ to contribute to their local community, and gives each a “Spirit of Sedona” award.  There are  five categories for annual awards including  Philanthropist, Volunteer, Nonprofit Organization, Business Benefactor, and Community Collaborator of the Year. Paul is being recognized as the Community Collaborator or the Year as someone “who demonstrates effective community engagement and leadership by working collaboratively across the community to improve the quality of life in Sedona and the Verde Valley.”

Paul is being honored for his work at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) including having  facilitated two new classes per term for the last 12 years.  He also facilitates  the Lunch & Learn/Sedona Community Forum program, which has hosted nearly 200 community leaders for the whole community to meet, hear from, and dialogue with.

In addition, Paul founded and runs the Sedona Mediation Service (hosted by the Sedona City Manager’s Office), which helps local residents resolve disputes. And he has contributed to public education programs hosted by the Sedona Public Library, the League of Women Voters, the Sedona Women, Chamber of Commerce, Restorative Justice, the Jewish Community of Sedona, the Yavapai County Detention Center, the Verde Valley Forum, Hope House, the Humane Society, the Historical Society, SedonaKind, and several other groups.

This award comes with a grant of $1,000 from the ACF of Sedona that the honoree can donate to the non-profit organization of his choice. 

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute  (OLLI) will be online with summer programs starting June 29

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yavapai Community College will offer its 2020 summer OLLI programs online from June 29-July 30.

There will be interactive classes via Zoom and  online videos. There will be  four-week and five-week courses and  one-time workshops.

OLLI classes available this summer include health and nutrition, history, current affairs, finance, self-enrichment and computers.

For more information about signing up for  OLLI classes and registration, you may visit yc.edu/ollise- donaverde or contact the OLLI office at 928-649-4275 or email ollisv@yc.edu.

OLLI members photo shoot at  Sedona Center  Tuesday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m

According to a story by reporter Byvyto Starinskas in the Sunday, January 12, 2020 edition of the Verde Independent, the Community  College via the Sedona/Verde Valley  Osher Life Long Learning (OLLI) operation “is giving local people “ a modelling “ chance in their OLLI member photo shoot at the Yavapai College Sedona Center on Tuesday, Jan. 14.”  Mr. Starinskas writes that OLLI “ will be shooting both posed and candid photographs in the classrooms and on the campus. These photos will be used in future OLLI and Yavapai College print and digital media,” says the casting call put out to members.”

Sourcea:  Article by Byvyto Starinskas, Verde Independent,  Sunday, January 12, 2020;  Olli Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/olli.sedona.verdevalley/photos/gm.730857907405263/1736029956534396/?type=3&theater. (Photo from OLLI facebook posting.)

Enrollment slightly down; fundraising up

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Yavapai College – Sedona-Verde Valley (OLLI at Sedona-Verde Valley) reported on enrollment and fundraising efforts to its members in its December 19, 2019 newsletter.  The data showed a slight decline in enrollment and an increase in fundraising.

OLLI Sedona/Verde Valley offers most of its academic, not-for-credit programming designed for adults 50 years old or better, primarily at the Verde Valley Campus, Sedona Center, and Camp Verde Library. It is a program of the Division of Lifelong Learning at Yavapai College.

OLLI receives funding from several sources. There is an endowment grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation, fees charged for the classes, and donations. It also receives in-kind services from Yavapai Community College.

The last estimate (2014) from OLLI indicated that it operated based on annual interest from the endowment, which  at that time supported about 40% of the expenses. The rest, an estimated 60% of the expenses, was  covered by the fees charged for classes and workshops.

There was an estimated (2014) $170,000 “in-kind” services given from Yavapai College to OLLI for use of its facilities,  but no money was actually exchanged. Of these services most are unseen expenditures. The faculty is comprised mostly of volunteers. In the 2019-20 budget, the Community College estimated it would receive $111,000 in revenue from OLLI. (It is not clear exactly how this is handled.)

The Newsletter stated that “for your information, the following is an updated report of the OLLI Sedona Verde Valley (1) By the Numbers; (2) Fundraising Outcomes from 2014-2019; and (3) Report on Each Campaign.”

Sedona Verde Valley By The Numbers

Founded: 2003

Staff:

Two  permanent employees: 1 full-time and 1 ¾ time (30 hours per week) + 3 part-time (19.75 hours per week).

Committee Volunteers: 21     

Facilitators: 170

Number of classes 2019:

Summer (46) Fall (111)  Winter  (114) Spring (79)                                      

Annual Budget: $172,935

Students over the past four years:

 2015-16:         1030

 2016-17:         959

 2017-18:         971           

 2018-19:         919

Fundraising Outcomes 2014-2019

 Total annual support for last 6 years:        

2014: $275 from 11 donors (Ave. $25)

2015: $150 from 6 donors (Ave. $25)

2016: $450 from 9 donors (Ave. $50)

2017: $2,825 from 26 donors (Ave. $108)

2018: $5,625 from 31 donors (Ave. $181)

2019: $12,225 from 113 donors (Ave. $108)

Reporting on Each Campaign

100% of OLLI Leadership Council contributed.

Contributions have ranged from $25 to $1,500.

113 Members contributed; 80 first time donors.

 20 first-year OLLI members contributed.

 16 persons are OLLI 300 Club members  ( giving $25 per month for a total of $300)

 1 OLLI member contributed 401K earnings

 2 OLLI members joined Leave A Legacy for Life Long Learning: Pledged $80,000

Event at 12:30 in Room M-137 on Verde Campus

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s (OLLI) Brown Bag Brain Buzz will host Dr. Diane Ryan, Yavapai College’s vice president of strategic initiatives on Thursday, November 7 at the Verde Campus.  The program will be held in Room M-137 and begin at 12:30. The Verde Campus is located at 601 Black Hills Dr. in Clarkdale.

This free lunchtime forum is sponsored by Yavapai College. You may bring your brown bag or purchase lunch at the Snack Bar in Building “F” at the Verde Valley Campus.

Dr. Ryan’s presentation will focus on the Open Educational Resource movement. It is said to be spreading across college campuses and is an attempt to reduce or eliminate textbook or course material costs for students. This movement has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Ryan was recently appointed to the newly created position of Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. The College describes the position as “created to bring vision and strategic leadership to a broad range of key initiatives.”

Dr. Ryan earned a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Communication from Western Illinois University and graduate hours in English from Old Dominion University. Her academic research focuses on open educational resources and academic outcomes in the community college classroom.

Source:  Yavapai Community College press release Oct 31.

Volunteers needed at the Clubhouse to set up tables and chairs for 3 p.m. program

Time to register for OLLI courses

The summer term for OLLI begins July 1, 2019. It’s time to register.