Our Study Group Coordinators

About the Coordinators

We doubt you'll find more enthusiastic, vibrant individuals than our volunteer coordinators. Their journey through life has taken them to virtually every corner of the earth and their curiosity influences many in OLLI who have participated in the study groups they conceive and facilitate.

Our coordinators are members of OLLI like you, who enjoy the program and are willing to do more. They dream up study groups, select the material to be used and provide the syllabi. When a text is used, the coordinators have researched its selection and are thoroughly familiar with its content. Although discussion leaders change from week to week, coordinators keep the course focused on the objectives stated in the catalog.

Coordinator's Responsibilities

Coordinators should welcome new members and make a special effort to include them. They should also be supportive of the weekly discussion leaders.

• The coordinator is responsible for insuring that each session runs smoothly and to be ready to step in when necessary. The coordinator should emphasize that every study group participant's views are entitled to the respect of the other class members.
  
• The coordinators should have selected the material to be used in the study group and should provide a syllabus and the name of a text whenever a text is to be used. Whenever a text is to be used, the coordinators should be fully familiar with the contents of the book and have thoroughly researched its selection as appropriate for the class.
  
• The coordinators should structure the study group so that the discussions are conducive to "peer" learning. OLLI study groups are to feature "active learning" with participation from all group members.
  
• Coordinators will have the opportunity to discuss study group issues at "area of study" subcommittee meetings.
  
• The objectives of the study group should be clearly stated in the catalog and the name of the study group should accurately reflect the subject of the group.