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
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Constant Contact
Pingg
PD Express
Video Conference
Technology Day
Website as a Focus Point of
Information—handouts on line
Reducing Personnel Budget
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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 term
2. Collect and process new memberships
3. 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 handouts
2. Make coffee, check on supplies, take
attendance
3. Put classroom back in order at the end of the
session
4. 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
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Defend your program
Never leave anyone behind
The Goose -layer of your Golden Egg.
Contribution
Partnering with the College
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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:
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Email survey
Focus group
Paper survey
Findings
Partnering with the University
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Student volunteers
Bookstore coupon for members
Write-up in alumni newsletter
Recruiting instructors