Volunteer for Osher
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Osher Behind the Scenes
Learn more about volunteering for Osher by taking one of our FREE classes each term, Osher Behind the Scenes. Look for these fun classes in our course listings to see the schedule for any given term. We will offer three options:
Welcome New Members (OSHER 71)
You joined Osher and paid your membership dues for a year of fun. Now what? This single-session free class will welcome new members, provide a "meet and greet" opportunity to socialize a bit with others new to Osher, and show you the ropes of how to get involved. We will cover the material in our Member Handbook, letting you know how you can get the most out of your membership benefits...everything from where to get your U of U student ID card, to where to use it for discounts, to the many campus amenities available to Continuing Education students. Our program becomes stronger with each new member!
Osher Behind the Scenes: Curriculum, Classes, and Instructors (OSHER 72)
Did you ever wonder about how the Osher program operates behind the scenes? This single-session free class will introduce you to the magic of how Osher staff and volunteers recruit instructors, organize classes, and create four fascinating six-week terms each year. We will outline duties performed by the esteemed Osher Curriculum Committee. Our founder, Bernard Osher, intended his Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes to be member-driven and volunteer-led within a community of peers, ages 50 and better. Every single member, instructor, and volunteer brings their wealth of life experiences and knowledge to the classroom, building a very special community of curious adults who value education and class discussions highly. Come learn how it's done, share your ideas, and maybe even think about teaching a course yourself for your fellow Osher members.
Osher Behind the Scenes: Special Events (OSHER 74)
Do you love attending Osher Special Events each term? Are you curious about how we select and organize our many varied fun events and who is responsible for planning them? This single-session free class will give you a behind-the-scenes tour of how Osher staff and volunteers run this very special and unique aspect of our program. Volunteerism is the foundation of Osher and especially of Special Events. We've slowly been gearing up after Covid changed the way events were done in 2020. We're getting back to more in-person meetings at familiar venues and exploring new places too. Come learn how it's done and maybe even plan a new special event yourself for your fellow Osher members or share your ideas for fun places for Osher to visit.
Curriculum Committee
The primary function of the Curriculum Committee is to secure a well-balanced selection of courses each term that have academic merit and that appeal to the interests of Osher members. Committee members accomplish this by identifying and soliciting qualified instructors, guiding and facilitating the submission of course proposals, ensuring complete proposals, and reviewing the success of courses.
If you have questions or require more information about the Curriculum Committee, please contact the Osher office at 801-585-5442 or osher@utah.edu with "About My Curriculum Committee Application" in the subject line.
Your query will be directed to either the Osher Director or the Chair of the Curriculum Committee. They will get back to you as soon as they can. Thank you!
Curriculum Committee Application
Special Events Committee
Osher Special Events Committee members attend regular committee meetings and actively participate in planning 3-4 special events per term. They search for potential events on an ongoing basis by contacting businesses and organizations and help coordinate the tours by attending to welcome Osher members, take attendance, and provide feedback after the event.Informal photos are often posted on the Osher Facebook page after the event. Committee members enjoy the benefit of attending 6 special events per term (instead of the usual 4 per term) and one free Osher class per term, while serving as a special events volunteer.
If you have questions or requrie more information about the Special Events Committee, please contact the Osher office at 801-585-5442 or email us at osher@utah.edu and include "About My Special Events Committee Application" in the subject line.
Your query will be directed to either the Osher Special Events Coordinator or the Chair of the Special Events Committee. They will get back to you as soon as they can. Thank you for your interest in volunteering!
