Volunteering at OLLI-UA

About Us

OLLI is a thriving community of active, engaged members working together to support first-class educational and social programs. Every part of the OLLI community, from the Study Group Leaders we study with to those who make our campuses work, depends on members willing to pitch in and help.

In addition to helping OLLI, volunteering is the best way to benefit fully from your OLLI membership: volunteering for a few hours each semester connects you with your fellow members in the shared purpose of supporting the OLLI we love.

We need volunteers for each of our three campuses: Central Tucson, Green Valley, and online. Read the descriptions below to see where you would best fit and then click on the link below to register your interest. One of our volunteers or staff members will contact you to follow up on your interest.

Ready to volunteer at OLLI-UA?

Central Tucson Campus Volunteer Roles

Art Show Organizers

Help OLLI-UA Organize art shows and events at the Central Tucson Campus. Art Shows are not only lovely events, but having art on the walls in our classrooms helps make our space as vibrant as our members!

Audio/Visual Support

OLLI’s educational offerings often depend on rich audio/visual aids. Members of the Central Tucson A/V committee receive training on the audio, video and computer equipment used in in-person classes at the Central Tucson Campus. Members then are prepared to help Study Group Leaders as they prepare for their classes by offering training beforehand and, if needed, setup help at the beginning of classes. Members are supported by training, comprehensive handbooks covering every aspect of the Central Tucson Campus A/V equipment and other experienced members.

Campus Host

Campus Hosts, stationed at the table by the entrance to the Central Tucson facility, are the heart of the in-person OLLI experience. Hosts greet members, issue name tags and access cards to new members, answer questions, and respond to various issues that arise during their shift. Hosts sign up for two-hour shifts at their convenience, and since they usually are busy only between classes, they can attend their own classes during their shifts.

Campus Hosts receive training in all aspects of their responsibilities and are further supported by a comprehensive handbook and the cumulative knowledge of experienced campus hosts who are always willing to help even when they are not on duty.

Hybrid Class Hosting

OLLI’s Central Tucson hybrid classes combine the immediacy of the in-person experience with the convenience of online classes. Hybrid Hosts assist Study Group Leaders in-person with the classroom A/V and computer equipment while simultaneously managing the Zoom broadcasting of the class, functioning as an on-site tech host.

Hybrid Hosts receive extensive training in all aspects of the OLLI A/V and computer equipment as well as managing a Zoom class, and are supported by comprehensive handbooks.

Lounge Host

The Central Tucson Lounge is the social center of the Campus. It offers coffee, tea and friendship, as well as popcorn and other treats.

Lounge Hosts ensure that the lounge is warm and welcoming. They ensure coffee and tea are ready, set out occasional snacks and generally make the lounge an inviting place to spend time before and after classes. Lounge Hosts sign up for shifts at their convenience and can attend their own classes.

Lounge Hosts receive training in all aspects of their responsibilities and are further supported by a comprehensive handbook and the cumulative knowledge of experienced hosts who are always willing to help even when they are not on duty.

Single Event and Short-Term Opportunities

Throughout the year we need volunteers for single events, such as promoting OLLI at the Tucson Book Fair and at our local farmers markets. These events are usually short shifts in which members hand out flyers or postcards to attendees and chat with them about OLLI’s programming and the member experience. If you are interested, we will put your name on the list of available volunteers and contact you as outreach opportunities arise.

Green Valley Campus Volunteer Roles

Audio/Visual Support

These volunteers help unlock and prepare the classrooms each morning and then lock up each evening. We also need folks to make sure that computers and projectors are turned on, microphones have batteries, and so on.

Classroom Host

Classroom Hosts help ready the individual rooms at the Green Valley campus for class by ensuring that lights and technology are on and adjusting tables and chairs if necessary. The hosts are also responsible for taking the class folder into the room, then using its contents to make announcements, take attendance, answer questions, and aid the instructor in order for class to run smoothly.

Lounge Host

Assist in keeping the lounge stocked, clean, and ready for member use. (More details coming soon!)

Single Event and Short-Term Opportunities

Throughout the year we need volunteers for single events, such as promoting OLLI at the Tucson Book Fair and at our local farmers markets. These events are usually short shifts in which members hand out flyers or postcards to attendees and chat with them about OLLI’s programming and the member experience. If you are interested, we will put your name on the list of available volunteers and contact you as outreach opportunities arise.

Online Volunteer Roles

Tech Hosting

In addition to classes at its two campuses, OLLI offers a broad curriculum online via Zoom. Each Zoom class has an assigned tech host who manages the Zoom aspect of the class, freeing the Study Group Leader to concentrate on their class material. What is required of the tech host depends on the Study Group Leader but can include monitoring Chat for questions, watching for raised hands, or managing slides or video provided in advance by the Study Group Leader.

Tech Hosts receive training in all aspects of Zoom and do their hosting remotely, from home or wherever they wish.

Committees

Board

The Board is the governing body, legal agent, and fiduciary agent of OLLI-UA. The Corporate Board is responsible for general oversight, finance and policy. It is responsible for adherence to matters dealing with The Bernard Osher Foundation through the University of Arizona, the Internal Revenue Service, the University finance offices, and other similar governing entities.

The OLLI Board works alongside the two Campus Councils to assure that the program runs smoothly administratively, is governed consistently, and is responsive to members at both the local and the program-wide levels.

Note: Members must be elected to serve on the Board. 

Central Tucson Campus Council & Green Valley Campus Council

Each OLLI-UA Campus has an appointed Campus Council of local members to manage the operations of the campus and address immediate campus concerns in line with Board Bylaws and Policies.

Curriculum Committee 

OLLI’s educational offerings are the heart of the OLLI program. We are always looking for ideas for new classes and for talented SGLs who can teach them. The Curriculum Committee is responsible for developing both classes and the SGLs who teach them.

Finance Committee

Led by the Board Treasurer, this committee focuses on financial oversight for OLLI, annual budget processes, and investment policy. 

Fundraising & Development 

Join this committee to assist in the various fundraising efforts we undertake, including: annual campaigns, grants, legacy giving, and special events.

Marketing & Outreach Committee – Central Tucson, Green Valley

Marketing and outreach efforts are crucial to OLLI's continued success in attracting new members, increasing the organization's name recognition in the community, and cultivating both individual donors and corporate sponsors. 

New Member Care Committee

Help make new OLLI members feel welcome and included! This committee plans events exclusively for new members. 

Nominating Committee

Nominating Committee, defined by Board Policy, shall present a slate of proposed Board members at the Annual Meeting. The slate should be representative of the diverse interests of the entire OLLI-UA membership and have the functional skills and experience required to serve the needs of the organization.

Note: members of this committee cannot run for Board positions.

Social Committee – Central Tucson, Green Valley

OLLI social events include dining out, field trips, on-campus parties, movies and health-related events. The Social Committee organizes and runs these events. We always need ideas for new events, and we need ongoing help supporting OLLI’s rich social offerings.

Volunteer Growth and Care 

It takes an enormous number of people working together to keep OLLI's programming running smoothly. This committee focuses on recruiting, training, and recognizing the volunteers working throughout the organization, as well as succession planning for key positions.