Summary of the 34th Annual Meeting

The 34th Annual Meeting of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie Mellon University was held on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

President Jeffrey Swoger chaired the meeting. He recognized the departing and newly elected Board directors and thanked the Board, staff, Committee Chairs, SIG leaders, donors, and volunteers for their dedicated service and contributions that have enabled Osher to thrive this past year.

Treasurer Marcia Taylor summarized the Osher financial report, noting that costs remained closely controlled. For the year, Osher incurred an operating loss of about $44K. However, with earnings from the CMU-held Osher endowment, Osher ended the fiscal year in good shape.

Jeffrey noted that Osher is pursuing six strategic initiatives: 1) Expand class registration & attendance, 2) Increase membership, 3) Engender a stronger sense of community, goodwill & volunteerism, 4) Develop succession plans for leadership positions, leadership succession planning, 5) Assess what will Osher look like in 2030, 6) Maintain financial stability.

To support long-term viability, Jeffrey urged members to donate to the endowment Fund for the Future campaign.

In other business, Jeffrey noted that to support membership growth and retention, the name “Prospects” will change to “Explorers,” on January 1st, 2027, and “Guides” will assist the “Explorers.”   More information will be issued soon.

And as part of an expanded effort to recruit new members, starting this fall, Osher will place ads in the programs of about 11 cultural organizations  and publications that attract many people in the Osher demographic, such as the Pittsburgh Opera, Cabaret Theatre, and Shady Avenue Magazine.  A list of these organizations and sample ads was shown. Some of the ads were funded by individual members and Board directors.

In conclusion, Jeffrey requested member ideas for celebrating Osher’s 35th anniversary and thanked everyone for attending.

The meeting was followed by entertainment by the Duquesne University Clarinet Quartet.