Navigating Change and Finding Silver Linings
by Nanci Kryzak, president 2020-2022
Introduction
If you read Felice Gelman’s article about former president Tom Esposito in the May newsletter—and I hope you did!—you now have a concise history of Bard LLI’s impressive development in the decade before COVID.
In March 2020, we were days away from starting our usual in-person spring semester, SummerFest was well in hand, and we were moving forward on plans to celebrate Bard LLI’s twentieth anniversary with a Spiegeltent gala in July. About five minutes before I was elected as the next LLI president, COVID changed everything overnight!
Meeting COVID's Challenge
Although COVID necessitated immediate cancellation of all LLI in-person courses and events, Council quickly formed the Online Task Force to explore virtual programming possibilities. That dedicated group gathered almost weekly for a full year to take big chances: researching possibilities, learning Zoom, coordinating with Bard’s support staff, and fine-tuning every aspect of the process as technology evolved. We worked incredibly hard, becoming more creative and resilient while adapting to setbacks and surprises. We came to know volunteers unbelievably well, forged deep friendships, and achieved unexpected successes!
The team was determined to bring LLI online quickly with high competence. We inaugurated Zoom at our annual meeting in mid-May 2020, re-establishing member outreach while gaining platform experience. The team worked tirelessly with the Curriculum Committee to guide generous presenters and class managers willing to test new online teaching skills and develop hands-on tech support. Everyone’s unfailing commitment allowed us to offer a successful June SummerFest on Zoom just months after shutdown! That groundbreaking experience led to our first online orientation sessions in August and a full schedule of online courses beginning in September. We also became a resource for other LLIs.
Setting Up ProClass
At the same time, we installed the ProClass software system, which simplified every aspect of LLI registration and saved countless volunteer hours. The transition wasn’t easy for established members unaccustomed to controlling their own data, but ProClass has become an invaluable asset to LLI. The ProClass introduction was overseen by our dear friend Deborah Schwartz, who guided the tech support team, upgraded the LLI website, and responded to leadership and member concerns by producing detailed training videos and resolving every glitch with endless fortitude, expertise, and grace. We remember her with full hearts.
Long-Term Benefits
Members had mixed reviews about Zoom-only courses that first semester. We were understandably deflated by losing face-to-face campus connections and suffered through sporadic tech issues that disrupted classes. Some presenters adapted to online teaching better than others. Fortunately, most members embraced the process, understanding that challenges brought opportunities to learn and connect in new, often satisfying ways. Most importantly, LLI prevailed, providing welcome respite from societal isolation amid COVID restrictions and deepening uncertainty.
We found lasting benefits in online gathering: greater flexibility in securing presenters from near and far, clearer presentation of detailed course materials on screen, and meeting some members’ needs to participate only from home. WinterFest continues online—no more driving and walking on campus in winter weather! Our leadership also finds greater meeting flexibility without needing to reserve campus space. The programming excellence we enjoy today grew exponentially from those early lockdown days. Silver linings indeed!
When Bard allowed LLI to return to campus in September 2021, Council and Curriculum decided to offer both online and in-person courses, responding to members’ understandable hesitance about returning to classrooms in uncertain times. Members and presenters found more scheduling options as presenters generously agreed to teach Thursdays online and Fridays in-person. LLI again “turned on a dime” to secure classroom space while creating protocols ensuring strict adherence to Bard’s vaccination and masking requirements. I’ll add that greeting so many members at Olin’s front door was pure joy—we were so happy and relieved to be together again. Imagine being grateful to search for a parking space!
Emerging Stronger
From my perspective, relationships forged through those trying times strengthened LLI profoundly. Physical isolation fostered unexpected personal connections among members, especially volunteers. We all sought to grow into the unknown by experimenting for the collective good and collaborating with new energy to support LLI. We received respectful consideration from Bard College as CCE partners and friends on the journey. Administrators continually updated LLI on CDC and Bard mandates and entrusted us to follow every protocol for a safe campus return.
Thankfully, those COVID days have faded. Now, we confidently face today’s challenges as we celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary year.
In every season, we are fortunate to choose membership in Bard LLI—to seek to be known, to be challenged, to serve (a little or a lot!), to welcome others, to share fleeting time, to remember to dream, to keep learning and teaching, to find joy!
A dear friend once asked me about Bard LLI’s future, and I replied with certainty, “The sky’s the limit!” I stand by that affirmation with gratitude to all who make it so.
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