Central Oregon Governing Council Meeting Minutes

August 3. 2026
Bend Central Library

Attending:  Melissa Elliott co-presiding; Wendy Chase co-presiding, Brenda McDonald, Faith Hall, Jim McDonald, Michael Graham

Minutes: approved as written.

Brenda

Deb’s Town Hall zoom meeting for CO OLLI for strategic planning will be 1:00-2:15 on the 4th.  There may be additional focus groups.  Deb wants thoughts especially regarding fees and CO location.  Survey data was confusing between the two surveys.  Second survey was basically saying keep everything as it is.  Finances are the big thing.  The 2nd survey was difficult to fill out.  That may have made for less reliable responses.  Email is coming out later today for the link.

Membership numbers - one new member.  11 lapsed.  117 active. Yearly goal plan for the year is 775 for all OLLI.  190 is our goal.  We had 182 last year with goal of 195.  Our attrition rate seems to be a problem.  We gain well, but lose well too.

Discussion: Larkspur and Affinity vs Duck Store.  Not as much socializing now.  Suggestion: Larkspur social time?  How could we encourage continued discussion there after classes?  Money and parking are primary issues.  Larkspur and Affinity give us great exposure. We need to be clear about our partnerships with Affinity and Touchmark and what would be lost or confused with a different registration and/or fee structure.

We like this Library meeting room 3 for the spring open house gathering. The community room with a kitchen at the library for the Holiday Party is a favorable option.  Brenda will look into that - week of Dec. 2, 8, or 9.  Usually we do Wed afternoons for the Holiday party.  Arts and Culture is doing a Christmassy cookie time after class on the 16th.

Nobody has contacted the 11 lapsed yet. 

Michael requested, for the fall event, a printed copy of fall schedule/programs for sharing with prospective members. 

The Fall Preview poster was handed out. It is great!  It was suggested that we post them various places.  Coffee houses, churches… post it on your Facebook. It will be the same format as spring’s.  Layout change, larger room, table and chairs for signing up.  Faith can’t attend, others on GC can.  Faith will ask Diane or Kent to represent A&C table.

Wendy will provide cookies.  Brenda will do water, cups, napkins.

Wendy

Council elections are in September.

Melissa is willing to run for a second term.  Susan Goracke is not willing to continue as a regular Council member, but will be an ex-officio member as Past President.

Michael, Jim and Faith have another year to serve in their two-year terms.

Names suggested as possible nominees: Diane Kirpach. Kent Prochazka. Gay Sommers. Marty Rose. Carla Gullickson. VaNee Van Vleck.  Sheldon Zaslansky. Mariah Beck. Election is in September. Six would be a good number. 

Faith will ask Diane, Kent, Gay, Mariah.  Wendy - VaNee.  Mike - Marty.  Jim - Carla.  Brenda - Sheldon.  If yes, contact Brenda.

Brenda will send out an email calling for nominating yourself or another.  Hope to have it all settled by the Sept 28 meeting.

Sandra’s position’s replacement is in process.  Deb is the stop-gap person. Sandra’s replacement will be Director of Continuing and Professional Education, which oversees OLLI and all continuing ed for UO. 

Next meeting will be Sept 28 1:00-2:30 in library room 3.

Action items - Melissa will talk to Leigh about contacting lapsed members.

See above for contacting possible Governing Council members.

Re: spaces to meet:
Faith will contact Pam DiDente re: Community Church space.
Melissa will contact Base Camp. 
Grange Hall was discussed.

Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted
Faith H Hall