Breadcrumb
Instructor Resources
Thank you for joining the OLLI community!
OLLI is fortunate to have a group of people with a multitude of talents who are willing to share with other learners.
In addition to the OLLI instructor orientation, which is offered each semester to the instructors who are teaching that semester, OLLI staff has developed this page of items that might be helpful resources as you journey through the OLLI program at Humboldt.
This page is a work in progress. Please let us know if you have questions that are not answered here, or if you have suggestions for additional items to include on this page.
OLLI membership
We ask that all of our OLLI instructors have some familiarity with the OLLI at Humboldt program prior to teaching for OLLI. Attendance in at least one OLLI course is required. In addition, OLLI requires all of its instructors to be OLLI members, so if you are not already a member, please join OLLI today.
- OLLI Membership Form (PDF: Acrobat Reader required.)
- OLLI Membership Form (online form)
Frequently asked questions
We understand that you may have a lot of questions about the work done at OLLI. This is why OLLI has created a list of questions that have been frequently asked by instructors. If you still have questions after reviewing this document, OLLI staff is here for you! Please contact OLLI at 707-826-5880 or by email at olli@humboldt.edu.
- FAQ (PDF)
Who to contact
You can always contact OLLI staff at 707-826-5880 or by email at olli@humboldt.edu.
Compensation
OLLI instructors are given an option to donate their services to benefit OLLI members or they can receive a stipend of 50% of the total fees collected, after costs are deducted for any costs for vans, drivers, tickets, materials etc.
Every semester continuing instructors need to sign:
- An Instructor Agreement issued by the College of Extended Education
- A roster that is signed and dated following your course
In order to receive the stipend, instructors must also submit:
- An Instructor Pay Request Form
New instructors -- or those who have not taught for OLLI at Humboldt within the last year -- will need to complete the Cal Poly Humboldt hiring paperwork. More information about the hiring paperwork can be found at the Cal Poly Humboldt Human Resources website.
Onboarding
When teaching for OLLI, you’ll choose one of three onboarding paths depending on whether you are volunteering, receiving payment, or offering a program through a business.
- Volunteer = Quick and easy, no background check.
- Paid Instructor = More steps, official HR hire, payment for your time.
- Business-Associated Instructor = Volunteer with OLLI, but your business is reimbursed for materials.
See below for more details on these options.
The OLLI Code of Conduct
The goal of OLLI at Humboldt is to create environments that maximize the learning experience for all its members. OLLI programs provide a forum for a lively exchange of ideas. To that end, the OLLI learning community is guided by principles of kindness, patience, positivity, and respect, which foster reasoned discourse and intellectual honesty.
Divergent viewpoints are welcomed and appreciated as part of learning, while preserving the dignity of others. Transgressions may include denigrating others’ views or opinions, threatening behaviors, offensive or abusive language, disruptive classroom conduct, sexual harassment or discrimination, monopolizing discussions, or personal attacks.
Such behaviors undermine the spirit of the OLLI community. OLLI at Humboldt members, instructors, facilitators, and coordinators who do not or cannot adhere to these principles of kindness, patience, positivity, and respect may be removed from class or denied the privilege of future participation in the OLLI program.
- Submit a course proposal and indicate you are volunteering.
- If your proposal is accepted:
- Become an OLLI member ($35 per year, or $25 for Cal Poly Humboldt current/retired staff & faculty).
- OLLI will send you a volunteer form to sign.
- No background check or live scan is required.
- Volunteer appointments last 12 months from the indicated start date on the form
- Work with OLLI staff to approve class details for catalog, flyers, and website.
- (Recommended) Attend OLLI orientation before classes begin.
- (Recommended) Promote your class at the OLLI Open House.
- Submit a course proposal and indicate you are requesting payment.
- If your proposal is accepted:
- Become an OLLI member ($35 per year, or $25 for Cal Poly Humboldt current/retired staff & faculty).
- A Budget Analyst will start your Instructor Appointment Packet through Cal Poly Humboldt HR. This includes:
- Online background check paperwork
- HR Instructor Sign-Up Packet
- Confidentiality form
- I-9 Form (requires your Social Security card and must be completed in-person at Cal Poly Humboldt HR or another CSU/Community College HR office)
- Once paperwork is complete, HR will send compliance trainings to your Humboldt email.
- (Recommended) Attend OLLI orientation before classes begin.
- (Recommended) Promote your class at the OLLI Open House.
(For brick-and-mortar businesses only — e.g., museums, restaurants, or stores)
- Submit a course proposal and indicate that you are associated with a business.
- You may sign on as a volunteer for OLLI while your business provides materials or services.
- Work with the OLLI Coordinator to determine:
- What materials or services will be offered
- The total cost to the program, if any
- Your business will invoice OLLI for the agreed-upon amount.
- OLLI will pay your business by credit card after the class has taken place.
- Provide OLLI with a receipt for the materials or services.
- (Recommended) Attend OLLI orientation before classes begin.
- (Recommended) Promote your class at the OLLI Open House.
Note: Instructors offering personal services (such as coaching, self-help, or massage therapy) are welcome to teach through Option 1 (Volunteer) or Option 2 (Paid Instructor) instead.
