Sharing Cost Saving Ideas

• Wichian Rojanawon, University of Massachusetts, Boston

•Lisa Strickland, University of Alabama, Huntsville

•Rebecca Lawrence, San Diego State University

•Jennifer Kidwell, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

October 13, 2009

Using New Technology

• Constant Contact• Pingg• PD Express• Video Conference• Technology Day• Website as a Focus Point of Information

—handouts on line

Reducing Personnel Budget

• Using Stipended Volunteers• Using Work-Study Students• Members as Office Volunteers• Reducing Office Hours

Results

• Reduced ½ of the printing/postage costs in less than a year – a saving of over $12,000

• Save staff time• Reduce mistakes• Improve turn around time and

planning time

Using Incentives to Generate More Revenues

“Cutting expenses alone is not enough, we need to increase revenues”

• Changing the Membership Structures• Explore “Added Value” for Being an OLLI

Member• Making a deal with organizations that

want to give “Perks” for their volunteers or clients

Reducing Operating Cost

Catalog Cost• Print and mail cost continued to rise with the

increase in courses and instructors• Edit the course descriptions and instructor

bios to keep the size of the catalog to 20 pages and affordable to print and mail.

Reducing Operating Cost

Catalog Cost• Course descriptions are limited to 140 words• Printed instructor bios are limited to 75 words• Full course descriptions and bios are listed on

the web site, where real estate is plenty

Reducing Operating Cost

Member Newsletter Cost• Printing cost and postage continued to rise• Members were surveyed by email for opting

to receive monthly newsletter by email vs. USPS

• New and renewing members select their preference on membership form

• 60% now receive by email only

Reducing Operating Cost

Course handouts• Curriculum committee funds 4 to 6 copies per

student in each class• If the course dictates more handouts, then

each student in the class is charged a nominal printing fee, disclosed in the course description, and collected in class

Mobilizing Members to Cut Cost

Office Volunteers• Staff membership office

1. Help with registration each term2. Collect and process new memberships3. Answer new members’ questions both by

phone and in person

Mobilizing Members to Cut Cost

Classroom Volunteers• Equipment facilitator

1. Assign a facilitator for the class and provide training on equipment

2. Facilitator makes sure needed equipment is in the classroom on time and in working order

3. Frees up university staff

Mobilizing Members to Cut Cost

Classroom Volunteers• Class facilitators

1. Make copies of handouts2. Make coffee, check on supplies, take

attendance3. Put classroom back in order at the end of the

session4. Frees up university staff and lets instructor

focus on teaching

Jennifer’s Rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk

• Jack believed! WE believe in the OLLI program and lifelong learning.

• Jack and his mom needed resources to survive.

• A wise man gave Jack “magic beans” to bring growth to his family- our OLLI programs.

Magic Beans

• The magic beans are the resources around us that allow us to grow without spending $$$$-

• A. Marketing

• B. Curriculum and Instructors

• C. Administration and Facilities

Plant the seeds

• Have an open mind, plant the seeds in the leadership of your OLLI, your administration and the local political powers that be………..

• Develop relationships with your University Administration.

• Develop a relationship with your OLLI.• Assume• Positive attitude

Overcome the Giant

• Defend your program

• Never leave anyone behind

• The Goose -layer of your Golden Egg.

• Contribution

Partnering with the College

• College provides some in-kind support• OLLI Director and Coordinator • Outreach opportunities: cross-promote• International Conversation Partners

Partnering with the Marketing Department

• Focus on being strategic-Make each dollar count

• Annual marketing plan-Introduction, Summary, Strategies, Action Plan,

Evaluation

Partnering with the Marketing Department

• Campaign style approach• Social media• Tracking

Partnering with the Marketing Department

Getting to know our audience:• Email survey• Focus group• Paper survey• Findings

Partnering with the University

• Student volunteers• Bookstore coupon for members• Write-up in alumni newsletter• Recruiting instructors