The following article was taken from the November 2006 newsletter.

The OLLI board of Directors met with consultant Mike Walsh on June 28, 2006 to plan for the future of the lifelong learning program at UAF. The intense four-hour session used the strategic planning process developed by the Foraker Group. With the ultimate goal of organizational sustainability, the group began by agreeing on the core purpose and core values of OLLI, then went on to discuss long and short term goals.

The focus was on what the organization does best and how it needs to be flexible. The idea was not to make specific decisions, but to develop a clear vision and a list of items to be addressed at future Board meetings. Progress will be slow, but members have already seen the results in a member survey designed by the newly activated Membership Committee.

Our Purpose is simply “Lifelong learning for older adults.” This organization will concentrate on the 50+ population and will try to adjust to the changing needs of that population.

Our Values were expressed by a long list of words that included: exploring, shared experience, socializing, educational, personal growth.

Our Long-Term Goal (10 years) is to have OLLI recognized as “the place” to find lifelong learning opportunities for older adults in the Tanana Valley. OLLI is dedicated to providing innovative, stimulating and provocative learning experiences for older adults. It is a “Health Club for the Mind.”

Our Mid-Term Goal (7 years) is to increase and manage the financial resources in a sound, responsible way to assure OLLI’s fiscal viability.

Our Short-Term Goal (1-6 years) is to make a long list to be addressed one at a time, as prioritized by the Board. They include: activate the Membership/Publicity Committee, increase membership to 500, develop the roles of directors on the Board, begin study of fiscal sustainability, adjust administrative staff for different roles and more.