ºÚÁÏÉçÇø

While our program's growth continued to rebound toward its more familiar pre-pandemic numbers, years of accumulated losses necessitated a price increase—our first in six years. Since news about ILR being self-supporting doesn't always reach our members and prospective members, we approached the transition from 2022 to 2023 with mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation. We hoped that the hard work put into assembling the spring semester would be rewarded with abundant registrations and that the need for the price increase would be understood. We soon discovered that not only did you understand, but you also embraced our need with your support and kind comments. Many of you even suggested that you were surprised our fees were not raised long before now.

Fall 2022 Enrollment

Our fall enrollment reached 311, which, though still below our pre-pandemic total, marked a 14% increase compared to the previous fall semester. This indicates your growing comfort with our new delivery methods, offered in three formats—in-person, online, and hybrid—as opposed to our previous exclusively in-person offerings.

Spring 2023 Enrollment

Your embrace of our new fee indicates a promising future. With an enrollment of 315, albeit only a 1% increase over the prior semester, it represented a robust 15% growth compared to the previous spring. This upward trajectory has heartened many who are working behind the scenes.

“I am always impressed with the quality of the speakers and the variety of topics.”
– Carol Colclosure, Spring 2023

Statistics for 2022-2023

• 131 courses
• 19 special events
• 626 members
• 64 non-members
• 118 new members (19% of all registrations were new members)
• 3864 total course and event registrations

Administered by:

• 300+ volunteers, including 229 instructors, coordinators, and speakers
• Staff: 1 Program Manager and 1 part-time Program Associate

So Much to Learn!

Every semester, lifelong learners have a vast variety of subjects to choose from. This year, our members learned about microscopy, Western European wine regions, the music of Giuseppe Verdi, costume in film, the history of conspiracy theories, Miami Tribe and ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, the brain and mind, how to play pickleball, and how to create fused glass artwork, just to name a few!

Somewhere in Time Bus Trip

September 28th, 2022

After much anticipation, ILR members gathered in Oxford and West Chester to board the bus for the Somewhere in Time event. Our journey took us west to Indiana, to the Hillforest Victorian House Museum in Aurora, where we learned all about the Gaff family and their influence on Midwestern history. After a scrumptious lunch at Ertel Winery, we stopped to admire Umbrella Sky in Batesville, a truly unique travelling exhibit. Our next destination was The Village of Spires in Oldenburg, where we toured parts of the “old world” German village and the Sisters of St. Francis Convent. We finished the day off on a sweet note by climbing back on the bus with ice cream cones in hand, a treat made by the local nuns.

Kick-Off Party

September 30th, 2022

ILR members reunited at Berkeley Square Retirement Community to kick off the upcoming academic year. This gathering signified a return to normalcy for members, as it was the first Kickoff Party since the fall 2019 semester's pre-pandemic days. Lifelong learners gathered in the Theobald Dining Room for a catered lunch followed by a timely lecture by Stephen Norris, the Walter E. Havighurst Professor of Russian History and Post-Soviet Studies at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. Stephen provided new perspectives on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a topic fresh on the minds of ILR members.

Frolicking Not-So-Far-Afield

Long-time ILR volunteers Mike and Marilyn Ruther assembled a great selection of self-drive tours for the fall ‘22 and spring ‘23 semesters. ILR members had the opportunity to attend 12 different tours at a total of nine locations: Deceuninck NA Manufacturing, Rumpke Landfill, Spring Grove Cemetery, Matthew 25: Ministries, Sorg Opera House, Berkeley Square, Voice of America Museum, Rentschler Forest Metropark, and Butler County Historical Society.

Looming Large in Georgetown

May 2nd, 2023

ILR members were excited to see firsthand how vehicles are built from start to finish at Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky. We took a tram through the largest Toyota facility in the world and saw the latest developments in vehicle manufacturing. After lunching together at Wilshire's, our travels continued to Ward Hall, a Greek Revival antebellum plantation mansion, where we learned the history of the mansion, its restoration plans, and toured its impressive halls and vast grounds.

ILR Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social

May 5th, 2023

The Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social is a great way to wrap up a year of learning and to vote in our new Board of Directors. ILR members met at the Knolls of Oxford to socialize over Graeter’s sundaes. Nan Fischer and JoEllen Puls generously sponsored this event in honor and remembrance of their mother, Mary Kay Fischer, a longtime ILR member whose presence was always a delight throughout her many years of ILR classes. Mary Kay is deeply missed by her family and ILR friends.

While a typical response rate for a business's customer satisfaction survey ranges from 10-30%, ILR is anything but typical. Our excellent return rate of 59% on our most recent survey speaks volumes about our members.

98% rated their overall satisfaction of the ILR program as very/highly satisfied

97% very/highly satisfied with customer service

97% rated their value (based on cost) of the ILR program as very/highly satisfied

90% of members say 5-week term length is “just right”, 8% wish it was longer!

69% of all members have Miami affiliation

“Registration is simple and seamless. I also appreciate the weekly reminders with links to our classes...ILR never fails to deliver a quality and fun learning experience every time.”
– Phil Cass, Spring 2023

For three years running, the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on ILR’s bottom line. Beginning with the loss of the spring 2020 semester and followed by reductions in enrollment for the past two years (five semesters to date), our operating expenses have significantly outpaced our registration income, resulting in operating deficits.

As a self-supporting organization, our three main sources of income are registration, ads and sponsorships, and donations. Thankfully, during the same period, our members understood that the pandemic wreaked havoc on our registrations, and their generous donations enabled us offset our losses.

Operating Account: Income vs. Expenses

Fiscal Year 2020: -$24,123

Fiscal Year 2021: -$3,136

Fiscal Year 2022: -$26,456

Fiscal Year 2023: $11,579

Gift Account: Income vs. Expenses

Fiscal Year 2020: $34,793

Fiscal Year 2021: $11,845

Fiscal Year 2022: $37,069

Fiscal Year 2023: $27,333

An article by Sante Matteo for Journal-News, March 10, 2023

Did you ever swing on a star or carry moonbeams home in a jar, crooning along with Bing Crosby or swinging with our nearer star, the tri-state’s own Rosemary Clooney? If you did, you can do so again.

If not, here’s your chance. How? By participating in a learning-in-retirement program, through which you can acquire new interests and ideas to add to the moonbeams in that jar or rediscover, dust off, update, and revitalize old pursuits and passions.

With no tests or quizzes to take, no papers to write, and no grading to fear, the experience of learning through exploration, discovery, and discussion in the company of other curious and eager retired learners offers great satisfaction and pleasure. Listen to what recent lifelong learners have to say:

“ILR is a fantastic way to keep our minds active by learning and sharing new findings with other adult learners.”

“Lifelong learning classes often lead to meeting new lifelong friends, wherever the journey leads!”

“What a wonderful array of interesting topics. It is always difficult to choose only those one has the time to attend!”

“Absolutely fabulous experience! As a former teacher and lifelong learner, I thoroughly enjoyed the classes. I feel that the information was so beneficial that I will continue to grow in my thoughts and even make decisions from what I learned.”

“ILR is the highlight of my retirement!”

The lifelong learning program that elicited such enthusiastic reactions is ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR). Founded in 1997, ILR is a nonprofit educational organization that offers a wide variety of noncredit courses, events, and activities to meet the continuing educational and social interests of anyone over age 50. ILR is governed, supported, and financed by its members. In addition, opportunities abound for getting involved on a deeper level as a volunteer.

ILR offers a wide array of courses and events twice a year in several convenient locations in the area: Oxford, Hamilton, Fairfield, West Chester, Monroe, as well as online, which means that the courses are available anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection.

ILR’s volunteer instructors—retired or working professionals and scholars—create a stimulating environment through an exciting array of academic and general interest subjects.

Five-week terms are offered each spring and fall. Classes typically meet once a week for 75 minutes. In addition to live, instructor-led courses there are lecture series that feature a different speaker each week. With one membership fee, ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs may enroll in as many courses as they want.

Courses are supplemented by Special Events, open to both members and non-members, which are scheduled before, during, and even after the term. These include self-drive tours, day-long bus trips to locations of artistic, historical, or socio-economic interest, special courses/lectures, parties, etc.

The array of more than 75 courses and events that will be offered in the upcoming spring term, March 27 to April 28, will appeal to curious minds in many fields: health, travel, art, music, politics, history, science, cooking, crafts, and much more. So, look for that jar of old moonbeams, dust it off, and get ready to fill it up with new beams.

ILR's Great Founder

With deep regret and sadness, we share the news that ILR's founder, Patricia S. Baugher, age 80, died on Monday, July 25.

For 30 years, Pat enjoyed a full and rich career at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø in the departments of Student Affairs, the Alumni Association, and Scripps Gerontology Center. While working for Scripps, Pat pursued a graduate certificate in gerontology that led to an internship at the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement at UNC-Asheville. What she witnessed there stimulated her interest in pursuing something comparable at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.

Pat is deservedly credited with being the founder of Miami's Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR). Due to her determination, unwavering commitment, and ability to gather and ignite passion in like-minded lifelong learners, after an initial year of planning, Pat led a pilot ILR semester in the spring of 1997. The rest, as they say, is history.

While Pat was humble about her accomplishments, she was outspoken and passionate about ILR's growth and direction. It was, after all, her “baby.” After serving on many early committees—Steering, Curriculum, Service-Learning—and as editor of ILR's newsletter, she later served multiple terms on the ILR Board of Directors. A staunch supporter of ILR, her focus was always on positioning ILR for its success and longevity. Due to her efforts, she was able to witness the fruition of both, as outlined in the history and timeline she wrote for our website.

Pat had a fervent interest in music and travel. Her travels to Europe built on her love of music, particularly instrumental and choral music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Traveling to China with ILR reinforced an interest in Asian culture that Pat developed while living and working in Japan in the late 1960s. Those interests were reflected in her home and gardens.

Pat will be sorely missed. She was a respected ILR and Oxford community member, and she shared her life with many close friends. We offer each of them our deepest condolences. One dear friend and former ILR Program Manager, Catherine Hollins, wrote, “Pat would want you to lift a glass—be it a gin and tonic, bourbon, or good beer—in celebration of your friendship and memories. She truly was a unique woman, who was loved by many.”

“I hoped to establish a program that was welcoming, intentional, and supportive of physical, mental, and social activity and growth for folks of retirement age.”
Pat Baugher, 2017

Bill Gracie and Sara Butler, our Curriculum Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, for their inspired leadership resulting in wonderful course options that always keep us coming back for more.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Global Initiatives, “home” of ILR, for their support and resources provided to our program and its staff.

Our generous donors, for their continued support of ILR’s vision and mission with their treasure. See pages 11-12.

Our many instructors, coordinators, speakers, committee members, and volunteers, whose investment of expertise, time, and talent breathe life into all that transpires within ILR.

Newer ILR Board members: Tom Cooke, Anne Morris-Hooke, and Chris Skoglind. Thank you for stepping up to serve as leaders for ILR.

Outgoing ILR Board members: Sara Butler, Bill Hardesty, and Chris Riesenberg. Thank you for your many years of volunteer service and leader- ship on the ILR Board of Directors.

Our incredible sponsors: Berkeley Square Com- munity First Solutions, Fey Bruder Insurance, Mc- Cullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, Ohio Living Mt. Pleasant, The Knolls of Oxford, and Three Valley Conservation Trust.

Our Miami and community partners who warmly welcomed us and provided classroom space this year, especially: Anytime Fitness, Berkeley Square, Billy Yanks, Butler County Historical Society, Chester- wood Village, Fairfield Community Arts Center, Lane Library, LaRosa’s (Oxford), ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Police Services Center, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Voice of America Learning Center, Ohio Living Mount Pleasant, Ox- ford Community Arts Center, Oxford Community Yoga, Oxford Seniors, Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum, The Knolls of Oxford, and The Spicy Olive. Their donation of classroom space continues to be an invaluable asset to our program and its members.

Jerry Riesenberg, ILR Instructor Support Team Chair, who never fails to impress us year after year with his tireless dedication to ILR and his impressive tech skills. Without Jerry’s generous donation of his time and expertise, keeping our database and technology current would be an endless challenge.

The ILR Instructor Support Team, whose assistance we’ve come to recognize as critical: Paul Allen, Rowen Creech, Charles Ganelin, Joe Macke, Judy Macke, Sante Matteo, Jerry Riesenberg, Rob Schorman, Robin Seaver, and Pat Sidley.

And, of course…

Rowen Creech (Program Associate) and Judy Macke (Program Manager), our dedicated ILR staff.

Although there is no doubt ILR suffered during the pandemic, your generosity ensured the success of our program where others may have faultered. Your generous donations during fiscal year 2023 (7/1/22-6/30/23) warmly expressed how important ILR is to our community. To add even more thoughtfulness to your gift, many of you elected to recognize those who have touched you, with both in honor (i.h.o) and in memory (i.m.o) designations (continued on the following page). Thank you!

Summa Cum Laude: $2,500+

William J. Gracie, Jr. and Daniel J. Fairbanks

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher, Frank Jordan, and Judith de Luce

Nan Fischer and JoEllen Fischer Puls

• i.m.o. Mary Kay Fischer

Magna Cum Laude: $1,000–2,499

David and Sara Butler

W. Hardy and Barbara Eshbaugh

• i.h.o. Judy Macke

Tom and Carolyn Gard

Paul and Cynthia Holzschuher

Eva Kessler

John M. Krafft

Karl Mattox

Elizabeth Rogers

James Rubenstein

Cum Laude: $500–999

Richard Daniels

President's List: $250–499

Sarah Baker

• i.m.o. Bill Hyatt

Donald and Vicky Daiker

• i.h.o. Mike Griffith, i.m.o. Pat Baugher

Michael and Kay Griffith

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher and Frank Jordan

Christopher Hensey and Peg Chandler

• i.m.o. Beverly Chandler and Carol Hensey

Larry Himes

Robert C. and Marilyn S. Johnson

• i.m.o. Frank Jordan

Jeffrey and Debbie MacDonald

Anne Morris-Hooke

• i.m.o. Frank Jordan

Tom and Carol Schaber

• i.h.o. Judy Macke

Jacquelyn Self

Pat and Connie Sidley

Richard and Elisabeth (Haley) Wiener

Dean's List: $150–249

Jane Flueckiger

Rita Gray

• i.m.o. Larry Gray

Tom and Jeanne Hayden

John and Marguerite Moul

Jack and Sally Southard

Barbara Summers Brant

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher

Honor Roll: Up To $149

John Abrams

Michele Abrams

Christopher and Debra Allison

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher

A. John and Jennifer Bailer

Kathleen Bailey

Mary Jane Berman

Barbara Blair

• i.m.o. Colin McKnight and i.h.o Colin and Marilyn McKnight's birthdays

Teresa Blake

Darlene Bonta

Brooke Cannon

• i.m.o. Dan Szuhay

Margaret Champley

Nancy Emrich

• i.h.o. Sante Matteo

Mitzi Ganelin

• i.h.o. the ILR program

Stephen and Jane Goettsch

Linda Harper

Martha Henry

• i.m.o. Mary Kay Fischer

Nancy Hoeltje Schweingruber

• i.m.o. Dan Szuhay

Joyce Hutchens

• i.h.o. Judy Macke

Leah Janssen

Norman J. Krumpe and Jane M. Keiser

• i.m.o. John and Beth Keiser

Cynthia Kelley

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher

Ginny Layton

Judy Macke

• i.h.o. all ILR volunteers

Constance Malone

Fred and Deanna Martin

Sante Matteo

Benjamin and Lynne Mattox

Katherine McKinney

Bill and Marilyn McKnight

• i.m.o. Colin McKnight

Kathy McMahon-Klosterman

Diane Miller

Sarah Miller

• i.m.o. Douglas R. Miller

Melissa Morgan-Oney

Rod Nimtz

Karen O’Hara

Janet Osborn

Marisa Scala Foley

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher

Marion Schloemer

Cecilia Shore

Donna and John Skillings

• i.m.o. Judith de Luce

Lydia Skoglind

Mary D. Smith

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher

Edna Southard

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher and Judith de Luce

Gabrielle Strand

Thomas Williams and Jackie Miller Williams

Holly Wissing

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher and Judith de Luce

Joan Witt

• i.m.o. Pat Baugher and i.h.o. Judy Macke

Executive Committee:

Ben Mattox – Chair (2nd term ends 2026)

Paul Allen – Vice Chair (2nd term ends 2026)

Sante Matteo – Secretary (2nd term ends 2026)

Pat Sidley – Treasurer (2nd term ends 2025)

At-large:

Mary Jane Berman (1st term ends 2024)

Tom Cooke (1st term ends 2026)

Carolyn Gard (2nd term ends 2024)

Don Hanson (2nd term ends 2026)

Anne Morris-Hooke (1st term ends 2026)

Rod Nimtz (1st term ends 2024)

Robin Seaver (2nd term ends 2026)

Chris Skoglind (1st term ends 2026)

Ex Officio:

Leah Janssen (Scripps Gerontology Center)

Judy Macke (ILR Program Manager)

Cheryl D. Young (Global Initiatives)

A Semester Like No Other

Along with the rest of the world, ILR encountered (and continues to endure) a myriad of losses caused by the global pandemic. Following the cancellation of the spring 2020 semester, it became clear that to continue prioritizing the safety of all participants, our fall 2020 semester would need to be held completely online. In fact, our future survival and recovery depended upon our ability to pivot our programming to virtual for the foreseeable future. This required considerable preparation and an all-hands-on-deck approach, made possible through the dedication of our staff and the ILR Tech Team, a small band of tech-savvy lifelong learners and volunteers who helped ease the transition from classroom to computer. When all was said and done, our first virtual semester exceeded all expectations. What we couldn’t anticipate, however, was the length of time the pandemic would linger and its lasting effects, financial and otherwise. Enrollment reductions of 50-60% were commonplace throughout the lifelong learning industry. Thankfully, we fared better than many, but suffered substantial losses nonetheless.

2020-2021 Enrollment

Our fall 2020 and spring 2021 terms were both 100% virtual. Although we picked up 103 new members—both locally and globally—our total registration of 479 was just 68% of the norm.

2021-2022 Enrollment

Fall 2021 saw a gradual return to the classroom as well as an entirely new format for ILR— hybrid (classes held with both online and in-person audiences). While we registered another 108 new members this year, the lingering hesitancy to return to the classroom was still apparent. Our registration of 561, while inching forward in a positive, upward direction, was 79% of our usual yearly total.

“I'm extremely grateful to ILR for offering virtual classes to those of us who live out of state.”
– Nancy Arthur, Fall 2020

Silver Lining 

While there is no denying that the unease caused by the pandemic led to a sharp decline in registrations (an especially cruel blow following record-breaking enrollment for eight of the prior nine years), there was a silver lining to this sudden shift. The transition from in-person to online classes allowed ILR to broaden its reach to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs and instructors outside of the tristate area—something that wasn’t possible before. By the spring of 2022, ILR had enrolled ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs from 25 states, and even picked up one international ºÚÁÏÉçÇø from Italy! In addition, we had instructors teaching from states as far as Florida and Wyoming.

Before Virtual Learning

Pre-pandemic Outreach: IN, KY, OH

Virtual Learning Implemented

Pandemic Outreach: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, MA, MO, MS, NC, NM, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV

Curriculum

Statistics for 2020-2022

222 total courses

1035 member registrations

196 new members (19% of all registrations were new members)

5114 total course registrations

Administered by:

200+ volunteers

200+ presenters, including speakers and coordinators

Staff: 1 Program Manager and 1 part-time Program Associate (new, July 2021)

“ feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend such a high-quality program. I know it takes the effort of many dedicated people to make this happen.”
– Jan Szuhay, Spring 2022

Special Events

Bus Trips

Due to the lingering pandemic, no bus tours have been held since the fall of 2019. We look forward to their return in fall 2022.

FNSFA

Frolicking Not-So-Far Afield (FNSFA) self-drive tours returned with great success in spring 2022. Of particular interest was the tour of Spooky Nook, Hamilton’s new indoor sports complex.

Road Scholar Travel

In the fall of 2021, ILR returned to offering travel opportunities through Road Scholar with The Chautauqua Experience, held at the Chautauqua Institution, a mecca for lifelong learners, situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Chautauqua in western New York. While our numbers were small, those who attended reportedly had an outstanding experience. So much so, the trip is being repeated with a greater enrollment in September 2022.

Parties

While the pandemic canceled all Kickoff and End-of-Semester parties for two years, it couldn't dampen our enthusiasm for celebrating our 25th anniversary.

“ILR is truly fun and I feel lucky to be able to participate.”
– Katie Mattox Listerman, Fall 2021

ILR's 25th Anniversary Luncheon

On May 4, 2022, lifelong learners, instructors, volunteers, and friends met together to socialize, reminisce about their favorite ILR moments, and honor those who have gone above and beyond to make the program a success. To add to the celebration, ILR marked this special date with a proclamation from Oxford's Mayor, William B. Snavely, and speeches from long-time program supporters and our 25th anniversary sponsors.

After months of careful planning by the Special Events Committee and Program Manager Judy Macke, the big day had finally arrived. ILR members met at Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton to enjoy a plated lunch in the ballroom. Afterwards, the attendees competed in a heated trivia game and shared many laughs as they reminisced about some of ILR's memorable moments, such as when a group of members had to purchase new shoes to participate in a factory tour.

The festivities concluded with a heartwarming slideshow in honor of the lifelong learners, volunteers, and instructors who have shared their time and knowledge with ILR over the years, as well as in remembrance of those who are no longer with us.

ILR's 25th anniversary luncheon was a fitting commemoration of ILR's 25 years and all who have contributed to Engaging, Enriching, and Enlightening their community.

Survey Says...

While a typical response rate for a business’s customer satisfaction survey ranges from 10-30%, ILR is anything but typical. Our excellent return rate of 64% on our most recent survey speaks volumes about our members.

98% rated their overall satisfaction of the ILR program as very/highly satisfied

100% very/highly satisfied with customer service

86% of members say 5-week term length is “just right”, 11% wish it was longer!

71% of all members have Miami affiliation

Most ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs enroll in 3-5 classes

“The entire experience went smoothly - from reception of catalog to online registration. I added a class after initial registration and that too was handled smoothly.”
– Eleanor Wagner, Fall 2021

The ILR Tech Team

A summary by Jerry Riesenberg, ILR Tech Team Chair

Since the spring 2020 semester was canceled, program manager Judy Macke decided to take advantage of the break from classes to plan for something that had never been done in ILR before—a completely virtual semester. To turn this idea into reality, she knew she had to enlist the help of her fellow techies, and so the ILR Tech Team was born. The initial team included: Paul Allen, Sarah Baker, Richard Brunner, Rick Dubberly, Charles Ganelin, Bill Hyatt, Judy Macke, Jerry Riesenberg, Sante Matteo, Marilyn Ruther, Michael Ruther, Robin Seaver, and Pat Sidley. Later, the team lost a few members, but soon added Rowen Creech, Alfredo Huerta, Joe Macke, Tom Schaber, and Rob Schorman.

In order to hold classes online, ILR would need to implement video conferencing software. In the fall of 2020, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø owned a license for WebEx, but not its competitor, Zoom, so choosing WebEx to host virtual classes was an easy decision. After exploring and learning the software, it was time to start holding training sessions to teach volunteers how to become tech hosts. After the tech hosts were trained, it was their job to familiarize the instructors with WebEx. Judy and the tech hosts also held WebEx training sessions to prepare ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs for their classes.

Once the fall 2020 semester started, the Tech Team was ready to shine. Team members hosted every virtual class and were instrumental in ensuring each class's success. During the semester, the Tech Team would also hold regular debriefings to discuss any challenges that arose, such as integrating WebEx with the ILR database, issues with ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and instructor connectivity, and staying up to date with new WebEx features.

Later on, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø acquired a license for Zoom, but the Tech Team decided not to switch because they had invested so much of their time as well as that of the instructors and ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs into learning WebEx. This ended up being a good decision, as we were subsequently advised that Zoom at Miami was not a viable long-term option for ILR.

Thanks to the hard work of the Tech Team and Judy, the fall 2020 semester was a success, so much so that the following semester was held virtually as well. Even after the worst of the pandemic has passed, online and hybrid classes have been so popular that it is likely they will remain a permanent installation of ILR. Having more participation options allows members with mobility issues, health concerns, full schedules, and those living in other states to take and teach ILR classes. Prior to the introduction of virtual learning, ILR reached ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in three states: Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Now, ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in 26 states are connecting and learning together online.

New to ILR

Age-Friendly University Designation

Across the U.S., the number of older adults is growing annually at unprecedented rates, and significantly more individuals are experiencing increased longevity. Response to the educational needs and interests of this emerging age population calls for new opportunities and innovative practices of teaching, research, and community engagement that colleges and universities are poised to offer. After a year of collaborating with ILR’s Program Manager as part of its working group, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø applied for and was awarded Age-Friendly University status. Age-Friendly University (AFU) is a global network that originated in 2012. Institutions in the AFU network endorse the 10 Age-Friendly University Principles and demonstrate a commitment to becoming more age friendly in their programs and policies. Within those 10 principles, ILR checks many boxes. Currently, more than 50 colleges and universities in seven countries have the AFU designation. In Ohio, Miami joins the University of Akron as the only other AFU in the state.

ILR Tech Team merges with Liaison Committee

Because the Tech Team was added as a standing committee, there was a substantial amount of overlap with the Liaison Committee’s duties. Therefore, and because both committees are labor intensive, the ILR Board elected to merge the Liaison Committee's duties into the ILR Tech Team.

ILR Mission Statement Refresh

As approved at ILR’s March 2021 board meeting, our updated mission statement is as follows: The Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø provides opportunities to explore, develop, and share knowledge and skills in a wide variety of topics. Courses taught by volunteer instructors, complemented by a variety of special events, enable participants to broaden their horizons and engage with other lifelong learners.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, Rowen Creech

On July 1, 2021, ILR proudly introduced and welcomed Rowen Creech, part-time Program Associate, as its newest staff member. Likely the youngest person you’ll see in class, be sure and offer Rowen a hardy welcome to the ILR family and team

Another Challenge

For three years running, the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on ILR’s bottom line. Beginning with the loss of the spring 2020 semester and followed by reductions in enrollment for the past two years (five semesters to date), our operating expenses have significantly outpaced our registration income, resulting in operating deficits.

As a self-supporting organization, our three main sources of income are registration, ads and sponsorships, and donations. Thankfully, during the same period, our members understood that the pandemic wreaked havoc on our registrations, and their generous donations enabled us offset our losses.

Operating Account: Income vs. Expenses

Fiscal Year 2020: -$24,123

Fiscal Year 2021: -$3,136

Fiscal Year 2022: -$26,456

Gift Account: Income vs. Expenses

Fiscal Year 2020: $34,793

Fiscal Year 2021: $11,845

Fiscal Year 2022: $37,069

A Very Special Thanks to Those Who Make ILR Great

Bill Gracie and Sara Butler, our Curriculum Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, for their inspired leadership resulting in wonderful course options that always keep us coming back for more.

Chris Hensey, who taught his final wine tasting class for ILR in the fall of 2020. After 18 years as a staple in our curriculum, Chris and his wife, Peg, moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. While sad for our loss, we share Chris’s excitement as he pursues his dreams. Perhaps we can entice him to teach a virtual class for us!

Chris Liles, who, until permanent part-time help was hired in 2021, efficiently and courteously fielded your ILR phone calls and email on a daily basis from her home.

Frances Yates, who compiled endless resources for our newsletters and Facebook page to keep us engaged and enlightened during the pandemic.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Global Initiatives, “home” of ILR, for their support and resources provided to our program and its staff.

Our generous donors and sponsors, for generously supporting ILR’s vision and mission with their treasure.

Our numerous presenters and volunteers, whose investment of time and talent breathe life into all that happens within ILR.

Our Miami and community partners, especially: Anytime Fitness, Berkeley Square, Butler County Historical Society, Chesterwood Village, Fairfield Community Arts Center, Hillandale Family of Communities, Hueston Woods State Park, Kroger (Oxford), Lane Library, LaRosa’s (Oxford), ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Art Museum, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Global Initiatives, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Police Services Center, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Rec Center, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Voice of America Learning Center, MOON Co-op, Ohio Living Mount Pleasant, Oxford Community Arts Center, Oxford Seniors, Talawanda High School, The Knolls of Oxford, The Spicy Olive, and WMKV WLHS. Their financial support and/or donation of classroom space continues to be an invaluable asset to our program and its members.

Our proofreading team, for correcting our goofs, crossing our t's and dotting our i's: Pat Baugher, Chris Liles, Diane Miller, and Betty Rogers.

Newer ILR Board members: Paul Allen, Mary Jane Berman, Don Hanson, Sante Matteo (Treasurer), Ben Mattox (Chair), Rod Nimtz, Chris Riesenberg, and Robin Seaver. Thank you for stepping up to serve as leaders for ILR.

Outgoing ILR Board members: John Barnhart, Mike Griffith and Abby Helsinger. Thank you for your many years of volunteer service and leadership on the ILR Board of Directors.

Jerry Riesenberg, newly named ILR Tech Team Chair, our programmer and database wizard, whose continual selfless donation of time and expertise ensures ILR’s computer technologies enable us to keep up with our growth.

Betty Rogers, who coordinated our Midday Lecture Series from fall 2007 through fall 2020. Due to her 15 years of dedicated service and her skill and passion for finding extraordinary topics and lecturers, the series consistently achieved the highest attendance draw.

The ILR Tech Team, whose support we’ve come to recognize as critical: Paul Allen, Sarah Baker, Richard Brunner, Rowen Creech, Charles Ganelin, Bill Hyatt, Alfredo Huerta, Joe Macke, Judy Macke, Sante Matteo, Jerry Riesenberg, Marilyn Ruther, Mike Ruther, Tom Schaber, Rob Schorman, Robin Seaver, and Pat Sidley.

Vonna Westrich, who worked her magic wading through a slew of course proposals to ready the text into a first draft of what would eventually evolved into multiple drafts of the upcoming semester’s catalog.

Chair Comments

"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"
(John Greenleaf Whittier)

As you know, just as we thought we were off to a roaring start for our spring term, everything ground to a halt. Four months of work—on hold or moved to the fall term. The curriculum committee’s work, the scheduling of rooms, and the 347 registrations for classes and Special Events, which had generated an income of nearly $50,000 to cover expenses—gone, taken by an insidious virus whose forthcoming impact none of us could anticipate or imagine. On March 10, the Board met for an emergency meeting (courtesy of The Knolls, as Lane Library had just announced complete closure). After discussion of potential options, it became clear that our only option was to cancel the term, and focus on planning for the fall. Clearly, instructor availability needed to be confirmed. Some class topics were no longer relevant— “Spring Neotropical Migrants” for example. Others, such as “Midday Lecture Series” may not be able to re-schedule the speakers. Suddenly, the course titled “Vaccines and the Diseases They Protect Us From” became a much more relevant topic than one might have thought.

Thanks to our Program Manager, Judy Macke, the issues were immediately addressed. On March 11^th, communications to the membership and to instructors were underway. Members were updated on the circumstances, and shortly thereafter, were notified that, “Over the coming weeks, every registrant will be unregistered by this office and fully refunded.”

Thank you to those who chose the option of donating their registration fees to ILR, and/or have donated to ILR.

Last year was my last term to serve as your Executive Board Chair, and I will complete my final year of board service at the end of the upcoming spring term in 2021. Planning is well underway, and in incredibly capable hands! I want to thank those who served on the board during my tenure, our new board members Paul Allen, Don Hanson, Ben Maddox, Sante Matteo and Robin Seaver, and the entire ILR membership for their support and understanding. It’s been a genuine pleasure to work with all!

Respectfully submitted,

Michael J. Griffith
Chair, ILR Executive Board

2019-2020 Enrollment

Despite registration being cut short in the spring semester, our combined fall and partial spring registration set a new yearly enrollment record of 724 members, as well as a new yearly record for total number of new members—121. For those who are counting, we’ve broken yearly enrollment records for eight of the past nine years! The anomaly year only fell short by a mere six registrations.

Fall 2019 Enrollment

Our fall 2019 semester provided plenty to crow about. With 385 registrations, we set a new semester registration record, shattering last fall’s record enrollment of 356. We were joined by 64 new members. Additionally, 21 non-members attended our Special Events. The combined member/non-member total of 409 was the first-ever tip over the 400 threshold.

Spring 2020 Enrollment

Before it came to a screeching halt in March of 2020, we were two weeks into our five-week registration period. Registration was already a robust 339, just 13 members shy of the prior spring’s record-breaking enrollment. Had we finished registration and completed the semester, there is no doubt we would have shattered yet another spring semester record.

Curriculum

Statistics for 2019-2020 (including partial spring registrations)

155 total courses offered on five sites

11 Special Events

11 self-drive tours

724 member registrations (a new record)

121 new-member registrations (a new record)

36 non-member registrations (attended Special Events only)

3,830 total course & event registrations

Administered by:

Total # volunteers: 400+ (those serving in multiple roles are counted for each role)

Total # instructors/lecturers: 285 (those teaching multiple classes are counted for each class)

Total # staff: 1 Program Manager

Total # ºÚÁÏÉçÇø workers: 1, part-time

Special Events

Fall 2019 Events

In September, a bus tour dubbed Stars, Stripes & Badges (The National Flag Company, Washington Platform, Greater Cincinnati Police Museum, Cincinnati Fire Museum) was followed in early October by a sold-out bus tour, aptly named Pedal Pushers and Pigskins (Bicycle Museum of America, 17 West, Wilson Football Manufacturing). On the Friday prior to the start of the semester, our traditional Kickoff Party gathered new and current members in excited anticipation for “back to school.”

Spring 2020 Events

Canceled, due to the pandemic. All canceled Special Events will be repeated when it’s safe to gather again.

Fall End-of-Semester Survey Results

Response rate: 44%

70.3% of the registrants have a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø affiliation

99% rated their ILR customer service experience as very/highly satisfied!

98.3% rated their perceived value of the ILR program as very/highly satisfied!

96.7% rated their overall satisfaction of the ILR program as very/highly satisfied!

Representative comments included on the surveys from new and returning members reinforce the overall satisfaction data:

“This, my first ILR experience, was very satisfying. Keep up the good work!” ~ John Kahler

“I appreciate being able to teach for ILR, and so enjoy taking classes too. ILR is truly a blessing in my life!” ~ Robin Seaver

“ILR is very special at this time in my life.” ~ Betty Patterson

“Thank you for a very interesting first time out for me. I'm very pleased with the variety offered and the quality of the presentations. What else would one expect from Miami.” ~ Nancy Greenslade

“I thought this season was exceptionally good. Keep up the good work.” ~ Gabrielle Strand

New this Year

ILR Clubs

In an effort to connect ILR members and non-members for purposeful social interaction between semesters, our Program Manager initiated the formation of ILR Clubs. Initial registration was very well received--103 people registered for multiple clubs, resulting in 281 registrations. All but two of the 20 clubs offered received significant enrollment. As a result, 18 clubs proceeded to the kickoff meeting phase. Unfortunately, the pandemic suspended most club activity, but hopes remain high that sidelined clubs can resume once social distancing restrictions are lifted.

Travel

ILR collaborated with the University of Cincinnati’s OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) program to offer travel opportunities through Road Scholar. Our first two offerings—The Spirit of the Lake Erie Islands and The Best of Theater in New York—sold out, affirming the interest for this type of experience is high. Testing the waters, our Program Manager coordinated these first two trips, but has moved future planning into the capable hands of a Special Events Committee subgroup, chaired by Bob Johnson. Unfortunately, the pandemic suspended all travel plans for the immediate future, but we expect travel opportunities to resume once social distancing restrictions are lifted.

Priority Registration

A one-week priority registration period was offered to all ILR donors by giving level, and increased donations reflect the popularity of this incentive. With opening day registrations in the hundreds, some classes reach capacity within hours. The benefit of a weeklong, relaxed registration is now realized by many of our donors.

Assistance & Partnerships

Office Support

Judy Macke, our Program Manager, celebrated her 10^th anniversary at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø in July 2020. Under her leadership, the ILR program and enrollment have grown exponentially.

Emily Janssen continued her ºÚÁÏÉçÇø worker position in the ILR office for her third year. Global Initiatives is funding this position, for which we’re extremely grateful.

Tech Team
With the growth of ILR and as many as four classes running consecutively in three or more areas of the county, a Tech Team was formed to assist the instructors in the classrooms. As the possibility of a virtual fall semester loomed, this team became invaluable. This team exemplifies just one of the numerous ways our volunteers continue to play a critical role in the operational efficiency of ILR.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Alumni Association
A growing partnership has been established with Miami’s Alumni Association for the purpose of cross-promoting events, profiling prospective members, determination of alumni engagement, etc. Two rooms in their building have been offered for our classroom use. This partnership has provided access to free virtual webinars and a book club, welcome and timely resources amid the pandemic and our canceled spring semester.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø/Knolls of Oxford
Since 2006, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø has signed an official partnership with The Knolls of Oxford to provide mutually-beneficial opportunities such as educational experiences for Knolls residents and Miami ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs and faculty, increased intergenerational exposure and activities, and research and internship opportunities for Miami ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs. Judy Macke will attend these meetings as the Miami/ILR representative.

Age-Friendly University

Judy Macke will serve on a working group to further Miami’s effort to pursue designation as an Age-Friendly University. According to Suzanne Kunkel, Scripps Executive Director, “The Scripps Gerontology Center is exploring the benefits of applying for Age-Friendly University status for ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. Age-Friendly University (AFU) is a global network that originated in 2012. Institutions in the AFU network endorse the 10 Age-Friendly University Principles and demonstrate a commitment to becoming more age friendly in their programs and policies. Currently more than 50 colleges and universities in seven countries have the AFU designation. In Ohio, only the University of Akron has joined the network.”

Challenges

First-ever Virtual Semester

With the complete loss of our spring 2020 semester and income, it becomes critical that a fall 2020 semester be offered—either in-person or virtual. With anticipation of a virtual semester, the ILR Tech Team was expanded and began preparations by training in Webex. In the meantime, all spring 2020 instructors were polled to determine their interest in moving online. If the board determines that online will be our only fall 2020 option, all instructors will be trained in Webex, assigned a member of our Tech Team to serve as a class host, and begin group and, later, one-on-one practice sessions with their host. From there, it will be necessary to train all ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to use Webex.

Volunteer Turnover

Now in our 23^rd year, as expected for our demographic, we experience significant volunteer turnover. We have a few volunteers that have served since ILR’s inception! Understandably, they’re ready for a much-deserved break. A growing concern, however, is that volunteer replacements have become increasingly harder to find. ILR runs on volunteer power and can only be sustained if new volunteers are stepping up to fill vacancies. Two critical vacancies that remain open are the chair and vice-chair roles for the Special Events committee. Without leadership, our Special Events could become a thing of the past.

Non-Member Registration

With the popularity and growth of our Special Events, it became necessary to give our members registration priority over our non-members. For that reason, non-member registration will now be delayed one week, except in the case of a member who registers a non-member as their guest.

Finances

As a self-supporting, nonprofit organization, ILR’s main source of revenue is generated from registration fees and supplemented by donations. With the loss of the spring semester, our finances suffered a grave setback. But it could have been far worse. Through the generosity of our donors, we negated a predicted year-end deficit. While our carryover to surplus was down 40% from last year, we did manage a positive carryover of $10,600, resulting in a beginning balance for fiscal year 2020-2021 of $99,000. Had this surplus not been in place, we would not have weathered the pandemic. With the uncertainties of the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters, this surplus becomes even more critical. Originally earmarked for the impending need to hire an assistant/replacement for a two-year overlap with Judy Macke prior to her retirement, those plans have been temporarily shelved due to a lack of funding and a Miami hiring freeze.

Special Thanks and Recognition

Betty Rogers, who continued her long track record of coordinating one of the most popular staples of our curriculum, Midday Lecture Series.

Bill Gracie and Sara Butler, our Curriculum Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, for their continual inspired leadership resulting in wonderful course options that always keep us coming back for more.

Chris Liles, who efficiently and courteously fields your ILR phone calls and email on a daily basis from her home.

Frances Yates, who compiled endless resources for our newsletters and Facebook page to keep us engaged and enlightened throughout the pandemic.

Judy Brewer, who generously volunteers her time in the ILR office each semester to assist with the processing of mail-in registrations.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Global Initiatives, “home” of ILR, for their support and resources provided to our program and its staff.

Our generous donors, for supporting ILR’s vision and mission with their treasure.

Our numerous presenters and volunteers, whose investment of time and talent breathe life into all that happens within ILR.

Our Miami and community partners, especially: Anytime Fitness, Berkeley Square, Butler County Historical Society, Chesterwood Village, Fairfield Community Arts Center, Hillandale Family of Communities, Hueston Woods State Park, Kroger (Oxford), Lane Library, LaRosa’s (Oxford), ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Art Museum, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Global Initiatives, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Police Services Center, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Rec Center, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Voice of America Learning Center, MOON Co-op, Ohio Living Mount Pleasant, Oxford Community Arts Center, Oxford Seniors, Talawanda High School, The Knolls of Oxford, The Spicy Olive, and WMKV WLHS. Their financial support and/or donation of classroom space continues to be an invaluable asset to our program and its members.

Our proofreading team, for correcting our goofs, crossing our Ts and dotting our Is: Pat Baugher, Chris Liles, and Diane Miller.

Outgoing ILR Board members: Pat Baugher, Phyllis Cummings (Ex Officio), Virginia Layton, Lois Philips, Fred Martin, Marsha Waller, and Richard Daniels. Thank you for your many years of volunteer service and leadership on the ILR Board of Directors.

Jerry Riesenberg, our programmer and database wizard, whose continual selfless donation of time and expertise helps ensure ILR’s computer technologies enable us to keep pace with our explosive growth.

The ILR Tech Team, whose support we’ve come to recognize as critical: Paul Allen, Sarah Baker, Richard Brunner, Rick Dubberly, Charles Ganelin, Bill Hyatt, Sante Matteo, Jerry Riesenberg, Marilyn Ruther, Mike Ruther, Robin Seaver, Pat Sidley, and Fran Ucci.

Vonna Westrich, who works her magic wading through a slew of course proposals to ready the text into a first draft of what eventually evolves into multiple drafts of the upcoming semester’s catalog.

And, of course…

Judy Macke, without whom, our entire operation would nosedive into oblivion.

2020-2021 ILR Board of Directors

Via an online ballot, the membership confirmed the recommendations of the ILR Nominating Committee for the 2020-2021 ILR Board of Directors as follows:

Executive Committee

Chair: Ben Mattox (1^st term ends 2023)

Vice Chair: Paul Allen (1^st term ends 2023)

Secretary: Patrick Sidley (1^st term ends 2022)

Treasurer: Sante Matteo (1^st term ends 2023)

At Large Members

John Barnhart (1^st term ends 2022)

Sara Butler (2^nd term ends 2023)

Carolyn Gard (1^st term ends 2021)

Mike Griffith (2^nd term ends 2021)

Don Hanson (1^st term ends 2023)

William Hardesty (2^nd term ends 2022)

Chris Riesenberg (1^st term ends 2023)

Robin Seaver (1^st term ends 2023)

Ex Officio Members
Phyllis Cummins, Assistant Director of Research, Scripps Gerontology (outgoing)

Abby Helsinger, Senior Research Associate, Scripps Gerontology (incoming)
Judy Macke, ILR Program Manager
Rod Nimtz, Director, Regional Advancement Operations
Cheryl Young, Assistant Provost, Global Initiatives

Chair Comments

At our year’s end membership meeting in May, I provided highlights of some of the issues that the Executive Board worked on during the year. (By way of review: as noted below, ILR is self-supporting.) In early 2017, as we began pursuing a raise for our Program Manager, we learned that we would first need to meet a few financial objectives. As a result, we raised our membership rates in the fall semester of 2017, increased donations, and increased selling catalog ads. On June 13, 2018, the Finance Committee met, and we concluded that our funds would support a $5,000.00 raise. We spent the next few months preparing our proposal and supporting documentation. In October, we met with Global Initiatives to formally submit the raise proposal, and were reminded that it wasn’t up to the Board; such decisions are made at the Academic Personnel office of Miami. In December, the administration informed Global Initiatives that the Board’s salary increase request was denied. We were also informed that exemplary performance could be nominated for a Pride Award, a one-time bonus. Earlier this year, Global Initiatives nominated Judy for a $1,000 Pride Award, which she received in March. We hope to pursue other potential avenues as well, and we’ll keep you posted.

Also, the Board focused on bringing the ILR Standing Rules and the Bylaws up to date so as to reflect changes which have occurred, and I anticipate that this work will continue through the summer and into the Fall 2019 term. One issue which received particular focus was Article III, Section 1, which read, “The ILR shall be a self-directed membership organization, operated as a non-credit program through the Global Initiatives and eLearning Program of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, Oxford Ohio.” The Board voted unanimously to change that wording to “The ILR shall be a self-directed membership organization, operated as a non-credit program through Global Initiatives of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, Oxford, Ohio, and shall be a self-supporting organization, operated not for profit to the extent required by ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.”

In additional actions, we agreed to support The Knolls of Oxford’s renovation project in their auditorium, specifically upgrades to room darkening and audio/visual equipment, in the amount of $2,000.00 from our gift fund. We also initiated and funded audio/visual upgrades at Oxford Lane Library’s Havighurst room.

I’m sure you’re aware of the enormous contribution we enjoy from our Program Manager, Judy Macke. The statistics included herein are due to her continued efforts. Since 2011, programming has increased by 150% and enrollment by 96%! Our fall enrollment of 356 set a new fall term high, and our spring enrollment shattered the existing spring record. This year marks our seventh consecutive record-breaking year, capped by an enrollment total of 708, breaking the 700 threshold for the first time. And the satisfaction ratings are sensational!

Finally, I want to remind the membership that ILR continues due to your volunteering to serve on or chair our various committees, and to share your experiences by teaching. Please give serious consideration to supporting us by donating your time, energy and ideas.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael J. Griffith

Chair, ILR Executive Board

Curriculum

Statistics for 2018-2019

• 146 total courses held on five sites
• 11 Special Events
• 16 self-drive tours
• 708 member registrations (a new record)
• 109 new-member registrations
• 54 non-member registrations (attended Special Events only)
• 3,893 total course & event registrations

Administered by:

• Total # volunteers: 450+
• Total # instructors/lecturers: 294
• Total # staff: 1 Program Manager
• Total # ºÚÁÏÉçÇø workers: 1, part-time

Spring End-of-Semester Survey Results

• Response rate: 57%
• 73% of the registrants have a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø affiliation
• 98.5% rated their ILR customer service experience as very/highly satisfied
• 97% rated their perceived value of the ILR program as very/highly satisfied
• 100% rated their overall satisfaction of the ILR program as very/highly satisfied!!!

Representative comments included on the surveys from new and returning members reinforce the Overall Satisfaction data:

An excellent term! I learned a lot from both instructors and fellow ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs. It's educational and uplifting to interact with the thoughtful, inquisitive, provocative people involved in ILR. ~Sante Matteo, M.U. Emeritus

Love ILR! It brings together interesting, knowledgeable people on important topics and is one reason that makes retirement in Oxford worth it. I like sharing my own thoughts, giving lectures, and leading discussions. Why move when there is so much here? ~Edna Southard, M.U. Emerita

ILR is a 5-star example for lifelong learning. ~Barb Alder, Miami Alumna

I am appreciative of having the opportunity to attend classes which are stimulating and thought-provoking. I am grateful to all who are involved in planning and instructing these excellent sessions. ~Dawn Buroker, Oxford resident

I cannot give enough praise to the whole ILR team and instructors. Thank you so much for your time and keeping the older generation occupied, learning and making new friends! ~Debby Crowley, Oxford resident

ILR gives light to my October and April. The Program is so well run and the courses are so interesting. ~Ellen Buerk, Alumna

I appreciate the time and effort the staff, instructors and university put into this valuable program. ~Tom Barnes, Alumnus

Special Events

Fall 2018 Events

In September, a sold-out bus tour dubbed The Queen’s Gems (Cincinnati Music Hall, downtown Cincinnati, Mecklenburg Gardens, Cincinnati Observatory), was followed a week later by a second bus tour, aptly named Journey to Freedom & the Tin Lizzy (Levi & Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, Kitchen at the Loft, Model T Ford Museum). On the Friday prior to the start of the semester, our traditional Kickoff Party gathered new and current members in excited anticipation for “back to school.”

Spring 2019 Events

Six event options, including three bus tours were offered this spring. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the event of the same name in the fall, The Queen’s Gems Encore (Cincinnati Music Hall, Netherland Hilton, Cincinnati Observatory) was offered as an extra bonus event to accommodate all those who had been left on the original tour’s waiting list. A week later, Out of Darkness Emerge Signs of Light (Union Terminal, Holocaust & Humanity Center, American Sign Museum) was held. In early May, those holding the “golden ticket” enjoyed another sold-out event, It Takes a Village and a Vision (German Village Historic District, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, Honda of America Manufacturing & Heritage Center. As has become a new tradition, the ILR Annual Meeting & Ice Cream Social provided a tasty, proverbial and literal cherry atop another successful year of engagement, enrichment, and enlightenment.

New This Year

Travel

ILR collaborated with the University of Cincinnati’s OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) program to offer travel opportunities through Road Scholar. Our first two offerings—The Spirit of the Lake Erie Islands and The Best of Theater in New York—have sold out, affirming the interest for this type of experience is high. Testing the waters, our Program Manager coordinated these first two trips, but has moved future planning into the capable hands of a Special Events Committee subgroup.

Priority Registration

Priority registration was offered to all ILR donors, and increased donations reflected the popularity of this move.

Assistance

Office Support

Emily Janssen began her ºÚÁÏÉçÇø worker position in the ILR office in July 2018. Global Initiatives is funding this position, for which we’re extremely grateful.

Tech Team

With the growth of ILR and as many as four classes running consecutively in three or more areas of the county, with leads of possible technology-savvy volunteers provided by Jerry Riesenberg, our Program Manager formed a Tech Team to assist the instructors in the classrooms. This team exemplifies just one of the numerous ways our volunteers continue to play a critical role in the operational efficiency of ILR.

Challenges

Online Registration Payment

The “buy now, pay later by mail” option for online registration will, regrettably, soon become a thing of the past. During each of the last two semesters, our Program Manager spent an inordinate amount of time hunting down forgetful payees and a couple of bad apples who skipped paying entirely. As a result, online registration will only accept payment at the point of purchase for future terms.

Board and Committee Service

The lack of clarity regarding job descriptions was addressed at Board meetings and by special committees throughout the year. Currently accurate descriptions of typical responsibilities have been submitted in most cases, and will be finalized and published this fall.

Liaison Committee

With the ever-increasing popularity of cell phones and email as a main source of communication, volunteers are finding it difficult to have phone calls answered. As a result, the Liaison Committee brought their challenges and suggestions to the board, and the board voted to eliminate the practice of unilaterally assigning a liaison to every course. Instructors will now be given the option to accept/decline liaison assignment, with the exception of classes that travel or exercise.

Finances

Our end-of-fiscal-year statement shows our surplus for this year was $23,400, an increase of $3,000 over last year. Our total carryover into the next fiscal year will be $90,580. This is an important issue, insofar as we must anticipate the impending need in the near future to conduct a search and hire a replacement for Judy Macke when she retires, and we hope to bring that person on board for a two-year overlap with Judy for training prior to the takeover.

Special Thanks and Recognition

Ginger Smith and family of Richard (Dick) Smith, for designating ILR as a recipient for memorials in Dick’s memory. Dick’s enduring commitment to ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and ILR was described in his obituary, as follows:

“After an initial term at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, he joined the army and served for 18 months, before returning to Miami and completing his degree. He earned his doctorate in Geography at Northwestern University and taught at the University of North Dakota for three years before returning to Miami in 1957. He remained there until his retirement in 1996, a much-loved mentor and teacher of generations of ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs of Geography and Environmental Studies, who went on to successful careers in a variety of fields. Over the course of his career, he chaired the Geography Department and served as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1989, he received the university's Benjamin Harrison Award in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of education. He also played a leading role in the founding and consolidation of Miami's Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR), teaching numerous courses and leading trips to a variety of destinations.”

Teresa Blake, Program Associate at the Voice of America Learning Center, who was always courteous, efficient, and willing to help our ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs and instructors in West Chester.

Brad Farr, Assistant Director at the Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester, for his many years of patient and capable audio/visual assistance.

Bill Gracie, our Curriculum Committee Chair, for his continual inspired leadership resulting in wonderful course options that always keep us coming back for more.

Bob Johnson, who stepped in as interim chair of the Special Events committee when the chair became temporarily unavailable.

Chris Liles, who efficiently and courteously replies to your ILR phone calls and email on a daily basis from her home.

Kristin Magyari, Assistant Director Communications & Marketing, Global Initiatives, for continually striving to make our website shine, often under tight deadlines.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Global Initiatives, “home” of ILR, for their unwavering support and numerous resources provided to our program and its staff.

John Moul, for his term of service on the Executive Board.

Rod Nimtz, Director of Miami’s Voice of America Learning Center and ad hoc ILR board member, for his leadership, support, and vision for planting and growing ILR in West Chester.

Our generous donors, for supporting ILR’s vision and mission with their treasure.

Our numerous instructors and volunteers, whose investment of time and talent breathe life into all that happens within ILR.

Our Miami and community partners, especially: Berkeley Square, Butler County Historical Society, Chesterwood Village, Community First, Fairfield Community Arts Center, Hillandale Family of Communities, Hueston Woods State Park, Lane Library, Oxford LaRosa’s, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Art Museum, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Global Initiatives, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Police Services Center, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Rec Center, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Voice of America Learning Center, Ohio Living Mount Pleasant, Oxford Community Arts Center, Oxford Seniors, The Knolls of Oxford, and The Spicy Olive. Their financial support and/or donation of classroom space continues to be an invaluable asset to our program and its members.

Lois Philips, for her ongoing years of single-handedly coordinating the ILR programming at Ohio Living Mt. Pleasant in Monroe.

Jerry Riesenberg, our technological wizard, whose selfless donation of time and expertise helps ensure ILR’s computer technologies enable us to keep pace with our explosive growth, and who “stomps out forest fires” in classes which have tech. problems.

Betty Rogers, who continues her long track record of coordinating one of our most popular regular offerings, Midday Lecture Series.

Vonna Westrich, who works her magic wading through a slew of course proposals to ready the text into a first draft of what eventually evolves into multiple drafts of the upcoming semester’s catalog.

Judy Macke, without whom, our entire operation would nosedive into oblivion.

2019-2020 ILR Board of Directors

At our annual meeting on May 10, 2019, the membership confirmed the recommendations of the ILR Nominating Committee as follows:

Executive Committee

• Chair: Mike Griffith (2nd term ends 2021)
• Vice Chair: Vacant
• Secretary: Marcia Waller (2nd term ends, 2020)
• Treasurer: Richard Daniels (2nd term ends, 2020)

At Large Members

• John Barnhart (first term ends 2022)
• Pat Baugher (2nd term ends 2021)
• Sara Butler (1st term ends 2020)
• Carolyn Gard (1st term ends 2021)
• Virginia Layton (2nd term ends 2020)
• William Hardesty (1st term ends 2020)
• Fred Martin (1st term ends 2020)
• Lois Philips (2nd term ends 2020)
• Patrick Sidley (first term ends 2022)

Ex Officio Members

• Phyllis Cummins, Assistant Director of Research, Scripps Gerontology
• Judy Macke, ILR Program Manager
• Rod Nimtz, Director, Voice of America Learning Center
• Cheryl D. Young, Assistant Provost, Global Initiatives

ILR Board Meeting Schedules:

All board meetings are open to registered members. Meeting schedules are published in the ILR catalog and are available on the ILR website, MiamiOH.edu/ilr, or call the ILR office.

Our 21st year continued to demonstrate the growth we’ve enjoyed for the past six years. Indeed, this growth has been so substantial that the board agreed that under our present circumstances (staff, scheduling, available spaces, budget, etc.), ILR needs to try to limit the number of courses offered each term to 75, the number of locations to five (Fairfield, Hamilton, Monroe, West Chester and Oxford), and Special Events tours to two per term.

Curriculum

For the 2017 / 18 year, we continued our practice of offering courses in Hamilton, Fairfield, Monroe and West Chester, as well as in Oxford. We offered more classes and events than ever before – a total of 161! The fall term saw a total enrollment of 319, and the spring term 314 – a record-breaking registration for a spring term. A summary of other statistics is worth including here:

• Total # volunteers: 450+
• Total # instructors/lecturers: 303 (including Miami’s President, Gregory Crawford, and his wife and University Ambassador, Renate Crawford)
• Total # staff: 1
• Total # interns: 1, spring term only (Scripps Gerontology undergraduate minor capstone)

The end-of-term surveys indicate continued high satisfaction with the program. With a 51% return rate, responses showed:

• Customer Service: 100% very / highly satisfied
• Registration Confirmations: 98.3% very / highly satisfied
• Overall Satisfaction: 98.9% very / highly satisfied

“This was my first ‘semester’ as an ILR ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and I can’t tell you how much I loved it. I have been raving, and I am so excited for fall. Thanks for all you do to make ILR thrive. It is a true gift to the communities it serves. I am so glad that I am finally working just part-time so that I can take full advantage.” ~Kathryn McGrew, Senior Research Scholar, Scripps Foundation

“My first course in ILR was a wonderful experience, and I am looking forward to the catalogue of fall courses.” ~Charles Ganelin, Miami Alumnus and Emeritus

“This was our first time but it won't be the last. We are kicking ourselves for not taking advantage of this earlier.” ~Tom Schaber, Miami Emeritus

“I much enjoyed my first ILR session, thank you!” ~Philip Tinne, Spouse of Miami Faculty Member

“Thx for ILR. Great source for intellectual stimulation, meeting like souls, and exploring new endeavors.” ~Anonymous

“I'm always pleased with ILR offerings!” ~Martha Henry, Miami Alumnae

Special Events Committee

In September, members and non-members enjoyed tours to the American Printing House for the Blind and The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Three days later, our Annual Kick-Off Party was staged at The Knolls of Oxford. A November Fly Me to the Moon tour included the Armstrong Air and Space Center, a behind-the-scenes look at the Winan’s Chocolates and Coffees Shop, and finished with a visit to Sinclair Community College’s Unmanned Aerial Systems program, where we were afforded the opportunity to learn to control our own drones – on simulators. Many “crashes” but no damage and no injuries, other than to egos! Some members took the Explore Coffee and Much More in Costa Rica trip and reported a wonderful learning experience along with splendid coffee. Rounding out the term were tours of Miami’s Institute for Food, the Lebanon Correctional Institution, and two Hamilton tours: Hamilton Urban Core, and Hamilton Downtown Revitalization.

Our spring catalog offered seven event options, including two bus tours: If You Build It, They Will Come; and Watered Down and Mounded Up. Despite weather being the enemy, rescheduling was accomplished by our amazing committee and Program Manager. Rounding out the term: Mental Health First Aid for Older Adults—a free all-day workshop; a two-hour Explore Watercolor Painting in Oxford…and Italy? session; our Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social; and post-semester offerings: Trash Talk and Tour of Rumpke Recycling; and Angels in the [Spring] Grove Tram Tour.

Impressive? Thank your Special Events committee, its Chair, and our Program Manager!

Finances

Registration fees for the fall 2017 term were set at $115.00 – an increase of $20 per semester, the first increase in six years. During that period, our program size nearly doubled and our membership saw an increase of 76%, while the size of our paid staff remained at one. After reviewing reports from both the Treasurer and Program Manager and extensive discussion over a number of months, the ILR Board concluded that we must address the following issues to keep ILR moving forward and operating at the high level we’ve achieved. These include:

1. Replace failing and aging equipment—laptops, projectors, amplifiers, etc.
2. Provide a much-deserved raise for Judy Macke, ILR Program Manager and sole staff member.
3. Implement measures that will eventually establish permanent assistance in the office.
4. Continue to pursue additional sources of support.

In summary, the Main Account (registration, salary, operating expenses) ended this year with a balance of $44,500.00, and the Gift Account (donations, equipment, etc.) a balance of $25,700.00. Due in part to an upswing in donations, the total balance at the end of our year is $23,500.00 above our beginning balance.

Issues

Office Support

The Finance Committee continues to seek realizable ways to increase the salary of our Program Manager and to provide additional part-time or full time paid assistance.

Mailings

Last year’s problems with bulk mail delays for the course catalogs appear to have been resolved. While there were moderate hiccups, Judy Macke and volunteers ensured that most received their catalogs in a timely manner.

Board and Committee Service

Over the course of the past two semesters, it became evident that those who are serving on the board and on committees were not entirely clear with regard to the job description outlining their responsibilities. We are working to rectify that situation, whereby an accurate job description, based on the bylaws of ILR, can be handed to each incoming member of the board or a committee on which they serve.

Revision of Bylaws

A sub-committee is reviewing the ILR Bylaws and Standing Rules in order to ensure clarity and updated accuracy.

Special Thanks and Recognition

The family of Larry Gray, who suggested that donations to ILR might be made in his memory. Larry’s commitment to our program was described in his obituary as follows:

“Over the past five years, Larry was an active participant in the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR), a non-credit, non-profit program for senior learners offered through ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. As a lifelong learner, Larry participated enthusiastically in a wide variety of classes on topics that expanded well beyond his usual interests and served on the curriculum committee. Although he had never taught before, he took a leap and began researching, writing, and presenting his own classes on topics that interested him, with titles ranging from The History of Bread to his most recent class, The American Car Culture, which concluded last week. To honor his memory, please step outside your comfort zone and read or listen to a good book on a topic you had never considered, or take a class to learn something new.”

Teresa Blake, Program Associate at the Voice of America Learning Center, for her kindness and efficiency while assisting our ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs and instructors in West Chester.

Judy Brewer, for her continued volunteer service in the ILR office.

Barbara Cox, for her service on the ILR Board. We’re sorry that she felt it necessary to step down due to other obligations.

Bill Gracie, our Curriculum Committee Chair, for his continual inspired leadership resulting in wonderful course options.

Paul Holzschuher, for his creative efforts to preserve our history in photos by building, scanning, editing, and organizing an ILR Flickr site.

Chris Liles, who monitors and efficiently handles the ILR phone and email on a daily basis from her home.

Marilyn McKnight, for steering the Special Events Committee, and Bill McKnight for keeping us entertained and laughing on the buses.

Margi Moul and Dawn Pfohl for co-chairing the Liaison Committee and ensuring our instructors have the classroom support they need.

Jerry Riesenberg, for donating so much of his time and expertise to ensure ILR’s computer technologies efficiently (and impressively) keep pace with our explosive growth.

Jan Szuhay, for her years of service on the board.

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Global Initiatives, for their unwavering support of ILR and the numerous resources provided to our program and its staff.</p/>

Our numerous instructors and volunteers, whose investment of time and talent breathe life into all that happens within ILR.

Our generous donors, for supporting ILR’s vision and mission with their treasure.

Our Miami and community partners, especially Berkeley Square, Butler County Historical Society, Chesterwood Village, Fairfield Community Arts Center, Lane Library, Lane Library Technology Center, Oxford LaRosa’s, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Art Museum, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Parking Services, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Voice of America Learning Center, M.U. Downtown Hamilton, Mount Pleasant Retirement Village, Oxford Community Arts Center, Oxford Seniors, and The Knolls of Oxford. Their support and donation of classroom space continues to be an invaluable asset to our program and its members.

And of course, to Judy Macke, our “Wonder Woman” Program Manager, who keeps a mind-boggling number of plates juggled and is the lifeblood of our successes.

Personal Notes

ILR’s catalogs highlight the opportunity for registrants to become “Engaged, Enriched, Enlightened.” For me, part of the “Enriching” is reflected in our interactions with one another. I would argue that that’s but one of the payoffs of our ILR program. Therefore, I’ll close this report by twisting the words of George Santayana:

“Those who refuse the opportunity to continue to learn are destined to have less fun than those who embrace it.”

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Griffith
Board Chair

2018-2019 ILR Board

At our annual meeting on May 11, 2018, the membership confirmed the recommendations of the ILR Nominating Committee as follows:

Executive Committee

• Chair: Mike Griffith (2nd term ends 2021)
• Vice Chair: John Moul (1st term ends, 2019)
• Secretary: Marcia Waller (2nd term ends, 2020)
• Treasurer: Richard Daniels (2nd term ends, 2020)

At Large Members

• Pat Baugher (2nd term ends 2021)
• Sara Butler (1st term ends 2020)
• Carolyn Gard (1st term ends 2021)
• Virginia Layton (2nd term ends 2020)
• William Hardesty (1st term ends 2020)
• Fred Martin (1st term ends 2020)
• Lois Philips (2nd term ends 2020)
• Vacant (seat vacated by Barbara Cox, first term ends 2019)

Ex Officio Members

• Phyllis Cummins, Assistant Director of Research, Scripps Gerontology
• Judy Macke, ILR Program Manager
• Rod Nimtz, Director, Voice of America Learning Center
• Cheryl Young, Assistant Provost, Global Initiatives