(EV) OLLI Winter 2027 Proposal and Instructions

Term: Winter 2027 All-Virtual 4-Week Term

Term Dates: Tuesday, January 19–Monday, February 15, 2027 (4 weeks)

Proposals Due: Sunday, October 11, 2026

Thank you for submitting a study group proposal! Coordinators are the heart of OLLI, and we truly appreciate the time and energy you are dedicating to enrich the learning experience for your fellow members.

Upon submission of this form, your study group is considered approved. If there are any concerns, you will be contacted by the Study Group Committee. Descriptions may be lightly edited for clarity and consistency. Schedules and final descriptions will be emailed to coordinators approximately three weeks after the proposal deadline.

Coordinator Guidelines:

• All coordinators must be current OLLI NU members for the term which they are coordinating.
• Study groups ideally have two coordinators. If a third coordinator is needed, we encourage you to invite a new coordinator to join you as a mentorship opportunity. A fourth coordinator may be added under special circumstances after discussion with the director.
• At least one coordinator must have prior experience leading a discussion-based study group at Northwestern OLLI.
• New coordinators should participate in at least two study groups at Northwestern OLLI before stepping into a coordinator role.
• First-time coordinators are asked to attend a New Coordinator Orientation, typically held 2–3 weeks before the term starts. Session information will be emailed to all new coordinators.
• Coordinators may not propose study groups using materials in which they or their family members have a financial interest. For example, a coordinator may not lead a study group using a book they or a family member wrote themselves. This is to ensure that the learning experience is free from even the perception that coordinators are offering the study group for personal gain.

Study Group Guidelines:

• Peer-Led & Discussion-Based — Study groups are led by OLLI members who are not necessarily content experts; most of the group meeting time should be spent in discussion.
• The Coordinator’s Role — Your job is to guide and encourage discussion. While occasional lectures (by coordinators, participants, or guest speakers) are fine, the focus should remain on group dialogue.
• Virtual Study Groups — All online study groups are accessed through MyOLLINU.
• Schedule — Study groups follow the term calendar and meet weekly for two hours. If adjustments are needed, please discuss them with the director.
• Choosing Materials — Get creative! Consider a variety of sources, including:
  • Podcasts, museum exhibits, magazines, journals, books, and more.
  • Reputable external resources (e.g., Great Courses, university public forums) can be used but should always be followed by discussion.
  • Click here for a list of study group resource ideas.

Questions about your proposal: email the Study Group Committee at ollinusgc@gmail.com

Questions about this form: email OLLI staff at olli@northwestern.edu

Thank you for being part of OLLI’s learning community—we’re excited to support you in leading a great study group!

How to Save and Share This Form for Editing

1. Click Save at the bottom of the page.
2. A pop-up window will appear asking you to Sign up—do not sign up.
3. Instead, click "Skip Create an Account" (this text appears in small blue letters at the bottom of the pop-up).
4. A second pop-up will appear, prompting you to email the saved, shareable link. Enter your email address (if it’s not already filled in) and click Send Link.
5. You will receive an email from JotForm with a link to your proposal. To share the form with your co-coordinators:
   
   • Forward the JotForm email to your co-coordinators so they can view and edit the form.
   • They can make changes, and their edits will be automatically saved.
6. Once all edits are complete, you or your co-coordinators must click Submit to finalize your submission.

To review your information prior to submitting, navigate back through the form using the 'Back' and 'Next' buttons at the bottom of each page. Do Not use the back button on your browser.

Setting Your Preferred Number of Participants
When deciding on the number of participants for your study group, consider the following:

• Engagement & Discussion — Our peer-led model thrives on active participation. Ensure all members have opportunities for meaningful discussion.
• Discussion Leaders — Consider how many discussion leaders will be needed to facilitate conversations effectively.
• Breakout Rooms — Using breakout rooms creatively can make a large class feel more intimate.
• Attendance Variability — Some participants may be absent in any given week, so factor this into your planning.
• Enrollment & Cancellations — If your study group does not meet your minimum enrollment, you may need to cancel it.
• Minimum Participants
  • You can set the minimum as low as you'd like, but it should not exceed 12.
  • If you request a minimum of 13 or more, please discuss with the Study Group Committee why your study group’s content and structure require a higher minimum.
  • If you don’t reach your minimum during registration, you must consult with the OLLI office before making a final decision about cancellation. This ensures coordination across the program.
  • Keep in mind that smaller study groups often experience high levels of participation and engagement.
• Maximum Participants
  • Most study groups set a maximum between 25 and 35.
  • If you plan to allow more than 35 participants, you must have a clear strategy for maintaining an engaging, peer-led discussion format—such as using breakout rooms.

Need a co-coordinator? Try reaching out to members with similar interests, making an announcement in your current study group(s), or cultivating someone who has never been a coordinator. 

Each study group should have at least two coordinators. You can add a third or fourth, especially if new coordinators are joining to gain experience.

If you don’t already have a new coordinator on your team, may we contact you if someone is interested in becoming a coordinator? You could help them get started by inviting them to co-coordinate with you for a term.

200 words maximum

Your study group description will appear in the catalog, so make it compelling! It should:

• Grab the reader’s attention — Spark curiosity and make them want to join.
• Clearly explain the study group’s purpose — Outline what participants will do, learn, and discuss. Don’t just summarize the source material.
• Be original — Do not copy and paste descriptions from Amazon, book jackets, or other sources.
• Be honest and engaging — Your description should excite potential participants but never mislead them.
• Use inclusive language — Ensure your description is welcoming to all, avoiding assumptions about background, experience, or identity.

Please list books and movie titles in the following format:

Title in Italics, Author/Editor/Director Name (Publisher Name, Published Year)

Select the subject area that best describes this study group.

Select all of the descriptors below that explain what will be expected from study group members.

• Please include at least three scheduling options, but four options are preferred. 
• No study group is guaranteed a time slot.
• Please be as flexible as possible.
• The complicated scheduling process takes into account coordinator preferences and conflicts, a balance of days/times, a balance of subject areas by day/time, availability of classroom space, etc.
• Preference will be given to repeat study groups.
• Approximately 3 weeks prior to the catalog release, coordinators will be notified of their study group day and time.

Please rank your top four schedule choices from first to fourth. (Scroll all the way down the pull-down for BONUS GROUP days and times.)

If this is a repeat study group, is choice #1 the day/time it has been previously offered? (There is no guarantee that a study group will be assigned a requested time.)

Please note if your group requires extra time for extenuating circumstances. (For example: early start time for photography study group or late finish for a film study group.)

Once you click submit, you will not be able to make any changes to your proposal. Your submission will be sent directly to the Study Group Committee for review.

Upon submitting the form, you and your co-coordinator/s will receive an automated email confirmation with the submitted information from OLLI Northwestern with the email address noreply@jotform.com.

OLLI will email the final study group catalog description and schedule to coordinators (to the email address provided on this form) prior to final production. Coordinators will have opportunity to review and approve their catalog listing. If we do not hear back from you by the approval deadline we will move forward with the listing as is. 

If you would like to review your information prior to submitting, you may navigate back through the form using the 'Back' and 'Next' button at the bottom of each page. Do Not use the back button on your browser.