2024 OLLI Membership Voter Guide
This publication serves to inform OLLI members of the candidates running for two vacancies on the OLLI Advisory Council. We have included photos, brief biographies and statements from each of the candidates. Now it is up to you to participate by voting in the 2024 OLLI Advisory Council election.
The role of the OLLI Advisory Council is to ensure the effectiveness and continuity of OLLI at UNL by guiding decision making, enabling program excellence, responding to the membership and promoting member participation. The Advisory Council is the vehicle for leadership, in collaboration with OLLI’s professional staff. Its leadership determines OLLI policies and helps ensure that programs and activities are consistent with University of Nebraska policies.
We encourage you to vote and are grateful for your participation. Four OLLI members are running for two positions on the Advisory Council. Please review the candidates’ statements and cast your vote. Instructions for voting will be sent via email or by mail to those who do not have email addresses. The deadline for submitting your ballot is Friday, May 10, 2024.
Thank you to all our members who are serving on committees for their hard work and leadership.
Bob Michl OLLI DirectorBallot Submisson Deadline
May 10, 2024 | 4 p.m.
Voting is open from May 6-10
Four candidates are presented here by the Nominating Committee for your consideration. Cast your vote for two of the candidates.
Whether you vote electronically or by mail, your ballot must be received or postmarked by Friday, May 10.
Advisory Council Duties & Responsibilities
The Advisory Council serves as an elected representative body from the membership. It is composed of officers, elected Advisory Council representatives, standing committee chairs/co-chairs and the OLLI director. The Council provides leadership and advice on the direction of the OLLI program.
The Advisory Council’s duties and responsbilities include the following:
• Establishes, safeguards and advances OLLI’s mission, vision and values
• Reviews and monitors OLLI’s financial position
• Advances OLLI’s goals
• Advises and supports the OLLI director
• Establishes policies by mutual agreement amongst the Council, the OLLI director and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Works collaboratively with the OLLI director to recommend actions on curriculum, budget, fee structure and program sustainability
• Ensures quality programming
• Ensures a positive learning environment
• Represents and advocates for members
• Encourages membership participation
• Establishes and oversees committees
• Approves committees’ actions
• Assesses and evaluates program viabilities and strategic planning
For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the Council, visit:
https://olli.unl.edu/Documents/Council-Duties.pdf
“For the Love of Learning” is one of the statements that caught my attention when I was considering becoming an OLLI member because curiosity and education are themes that have woven through my entire life both personally and professionally. I have retired from two careers: first, as an elementary educator and administrator for 25 years in California; and second, as an ordained Episcopal priest in Nebraska for almost 25 years.
On the personal side, I am a widow (after almost 40 years of marriage), a mother of two adult children, and a grandmother of a teenager.
Community work as a volunteer hospital chaplain at Methodist (in Omaha where I live), playing mandolin at church, or filling in as clergy when there is a need helps keep me balanced.
Since joining OLLI, I have taken several classes each term, become a member of the religion subcommittee, facilitated a class, been a moderator for a class, will be teaching a course in Terms 1-2 this fall, and have been an active participant in making OLLI inroads into Omaha. I was featured in the “Omaha World Herald” last January in an article about OLLI.
If elected, I would like to see increased interest groups in Omaha, an expansion of Zoom classes, and a continued emphasis on growing OLLI.
The first half of my career focused on providing employment services to people with disabilities. During that time, I co-founded and co-directed an agency specializing in that work. We contracted with various state agencies to provide services. I wrote dozens of grant proposals that were funded, then went on to manage those grants and track evidence-based outcomes. I became a trainer and consultant in the field and traveled throughout the U.S. to work with non-profits and government agencies to improve their outcomes.
The second half of my career was spent in higher education. I worked for Doane University as the Director of Career Services for their three nontraditional student campuses. This work included extensive outreach to businesses to develop mutually beneficial partnerships for the University. I taught both in-person and online courses. Classes included grant-writing, training and development, and human development. I later worked at Southeast Community College as Assistant Director of Registration and Records.
I hope to have the opportunity to lend my time and talents to OLLI and build on the existing success of the organization. I would like to expand and diversify our course offerings and participation, while maintaining affordable course and membership fees. Here’s to our future, and all the greatness it holds!
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Susan Rocker
Ruth Tomlinson
Born in Illinois, I have lived in Nebraska since 1975. I graduated from the University of Illinois, and much later, from the UNL College of Law. I have two sons and five grandchildren.
My professional career has been in social work. I worked for DHHS in Child Protective Services for 29 years, doing child abuse and neglect investigations, policy drafting, program development, and case reviews.
I currently volunteer on two subcommittees, one reviewing cases of near death or serious injury resulting from abuse or neglect, and the other reviewing child deaths. An avid reader, I also sort donated books for sale at the library.
I have been an OLLI member since 2014. I always try to select one class each term on a subject I know nothing about. Meeting many different people in classes and in the International Affairs and Politics interest groups has exposed me to unusual topics and new ideas; I think this is an important component of OLLI participation. Travel to Ireland with OLLI in 2017 provided new opportunities for this experience.
As a strong supporter of OLLI, I would like to give back by serving on the Advisory Council. I would like to see OLLI bring back “lapsed” members and find others whose unique life experiences will add to our knowledge and understanding of the world.
I am Gene Stohs and my home town is Grand Island. I attended UNL and received my MD degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1975. Obstetrics and Gynecology was my speciality practicing in Lincoln for 40 years before retiring in 2019.
My wife Kristen and I are proud parents of two sons and four grandchildren. We are proud supporters of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Lincoln Community Foundation, UNL Foundation, Bryan Hospital College of Nursing, April Sampson Cancer Center and The Lied Center where I am a volunteer usher as well.
I was prior Chairman of the Bryan Medical Center Board.
Lincoln is fortunate to have a well run OLLI organization with superb staff who coordinate so many wonderful courses.
I would like to help continue with OLLI’s heritage and growth.
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Suzanne Schied
Gene Stohs
SAVE THE DATE!
OLLI OMAHA SH OWCASE
Thursday, July 25, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Scott Conference Center | 6450 Pine St., Omaha, NE
Sample courses taught by OLLI instructors. Learn all that OLLI membership has to offer including courses on fascinating subjects, travel opportunities, interest groups, day trips, social activities and more! Connect with similar-minded people.
Registration begins on June 18, 2024 at https://olli.unl.edu
Registration is required. Free parking.
Free. Open to the public. Bring a friend, family member or colleague!
Friday, August 9, 2024
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
UNL East Campus Union
1705 Arbor Drive, Lincoln, NE
This is the perfect time to invite your friends and neighbors in Lincoln and surrounding communities to explore a community with a passion for learning. Learn about fall classes and upcoming travel opportunities while enjoying delicious treats.
Registration begins on June 18, 2024 at https://olli.unl.edu
Registration is required. Free parking.
LINCOLN
• Free
• Open to the public
• Bring a friend, family member or colleague!
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