Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view as Webpage.

Website Facebook Donate Catalog Sign In Contact Us

OLLI at SOU NEWSFLASH March 22, 2021

Open Enrollment Begins Today

Add as many courses as you'd like from among the dozens of courses that have available spaces. Click here for the online catalog. March 22 - Spring open enrollment begins March 23 - OLLI Council Meeting March 29 - Spring term begins June 4 - Spring term ends Changed your mind about taking a course? Just email the OLLI office at [email protected] with "DROP" in the subject line and include the the name of the course(s). We'll free up that space to make room for someone to add it.

Introduce a Friend to OLLI Invite a far-flung friend or family member to join OLLI at the spring special rate of $75. With so many online courses accommodating an unlimited number of students, it's easier than ever to enjoy the benefits of lifelong learning no matter where you are. Forward this email and invite a friend to join you and see all that OLLI has to offer.

OLLI and SOU Share Support for Our Community

OLLI shares the concerns and commitment of SOU's President Linda Schott in responding to racist attacks on people of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAIP) descent: Dear campus community, You have likely heard about the recent shootings in Atlanta of eight individuals, six of whom were women of Asian descent. I know our collective hearts go out to the families of these individuals and to all those impacted by this act of hate. These shootings are another incidence of violence against women and BIPOC communities. In the past year, there have been roughly 3,800 incidents of violence toward people of Asian descent in our country--the majority against women. Similarly, people of Asian descent in Ashland and around our campus experienced an increase in racist acts with the onset of COVID-19. This behavior is heartbreaking and intolerable.  Your well-being and success are important to me and to all of us who work at SOU. . . . Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team is recommending the following non-SOU resources to help each of us continue learning how we can make a positive impact: How to Support Asian American Colleagues Amidst the Recent Wave of anti-Asian Violence A Literary Guide to Combat Anti-Asian Racism in America Stop the "lone wolf" narrative  . . . . We will get through this challenging year by supporting each other and having confidence in a more equitable, peaceful and healthier future. Yours in solidarity, Linda Schott President, Southern Oregon University

Zoom Training Class

All OLLI members are welcome to attend an instructional class on using Zoom being held on Saturday, March 27, from 10:00–11:30 AM. By attending, you will learn basic skills in order to successfully participate in your OLLI classes. You do not need to register in advance or to download Zoom prior to the training.   On Saturday morning, March 27, at a few minutes before 10:00 AM, just click this link to join the training session.  If you would like to sign in 15 minutes early, it will give you the opportunity to meet and greet other OLLI members. Otherwise, if there are any questions, please contact Lorraine Vail at [email protected].

Get Ready to Zoom!

Want to be ready for Spring 2021 OLLI Zoom classes AND help OLLI instructors become better at using Zoom skills? Become an OLLI Zoom Practice Partner (ZPP)! It’s easy! Here’s how: Watch for weekly OLLI Newsflashes advertising for Spring ZPP volunteers starting Monday, March 29th. Newsflashes will include the OLLI instructor’s name, email address, the date, time and approximate length of the Zoom practice session, and the number of Zoom Practice Partners needed. If you are interested and available to be a Zoom Practice Partner, click on the instructor’s email listed in the Newsflash and let the instructor know you’d like to be a ZPP. The Zoom invitation link for that session will be emailed to you directly by the OLLI instructor. Questions? Email Anne Coleman at [email protected].

Men’s Apero March 26

OLLI's Member Services Committee would like to invite all OLLI men to a “Men’s Apero” social hour (with your favorite beverage and a side of jazz) on Friday, March 26th from 5:00–6:00pm. Grab your drink and join us on Zoom. We’ll hear some music by our own Denny Caraher. This is a relaxed time to chat and get to know each other a little better. Take a quick minute to email me at [email protected] to RSVP, and I'll send you a Zoom invitation.   Hope to see you on March 26! Bob Adams Email: [email protected]   Not a guy or not your cup of tea? Stay tuned, more social opportunities are coming soon.

Conversation Connections (Con-Cons) are one-time meetings on a specific topic of discussion. No preparation or teacher is required, just someone to facilitate the conversation so everyone has a chance to talk. There are still a few openings for: Topic: Melodies of St. Kilda, rediscovered music from remote Scottish Islands Description: Stuart McKenzie, volunteer at a senior living home in Edinburgh, tells of capturing traditional music remembered from childhood by resident Trevor Morrison, and how their amateur recording eventually morphed into a hugely popular CD. The haunting melodies are thought to be from the St. Kilda archipelago, former home to a rugged human population and equally hardy flock of primitive Soay sheep. Applegate Valley resident and musician Priscilla Weaver raises Soay sheep descended from the St. Kilda flock. Through delightful serendipity, she eventually transcribed and published the music. Join us to hear and see Stuart and Priscilla’s fascinating story of musical discovery. Date: Wednesday, March 24 Time: 11:00 AM -12:30 PM Facilitators: Priscilla Arnold and Priscilla Weaver (zoom host) RSVP: Reservations are required, and honored on a first response basis. The maximum number of participants for this talk is 50, OLLI members only. Click here to RSVP by Noon on Tuesday, March 23. Other Questions? Contact Priscilla Arnold at [email protected], or call 417-861-1273. The first of new Conversations coming up in April: Topic: "Talk to Me" Description: We’ll be taking our interview into international waters with an opportunity to have a conversation with Samuel Burke. Samuel Burke is a former CNN correspondent and now an independent international journalist who makes London, England, his home with a strong connection to Ashland, Oregon. He currently hosts the podcast series “Suddenly Family,” which explores the effects of shocking DNA results on families like his own. With experience covering major world events such as the Manchester Ariana Grande concert bombing, the UK parliament and London Bridge terrorist attacks, as well as international technology events and interviews with the CEOs of Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Alibaba’s Jack Ma and many others, Mr. Burke offers us a broad perspective on how recent events and trends are impacting our daily lives. You are asked to submit questions in advance to “Talk to Me” hosts John Ferris, [email protected], or Barry Vitcov, [email protected]. Date: Monday, April 5 Time: 9:00-10:00 AM Facilitators: John Ferris and Barry Vitcov RSVP: Reservations are required, and honored on a first response basis. OLLI members only. Click here to RSVP by 3:30 PM on Thursday, April 1. Other Questions? Contact John Ferris at [email protected] Topic: Prepare for Care: A Team Approach Description: How can we prepare for our own future needs and strengthen our communities? A few years back as a speaker at a forum, I presented a plan that included forming “care teams.” Afterwards, I took my own advice, and along with a small group of friends, we created our own team. In this conversation, I will share how we managed this, what topics we covered, and how it continues to have a positive effect on our lives. This plan might work for you, too. Date: Tuesday, April 6 Time: 11:00 AM-Noon Facilitators: Ellen Waldman is a certified Aging Life Care Professional for 20+ years RSVP: Reservations are required, and honored on a first response basis. The maximum number of participants for this talk is unlimited, OLLI members only. Click here to RSVP by 3:30 PM on Monday, April 5. Other Questions? Contact Pauline Black at [email protected] Since advance reading is recommended for this Conversation, the facilitator has asked that we open registration early: Topic: Independence Corrupted / How America’s Judges Really Make Their Decisions Description: Judge Schudson knows how judges really make their decisions. He brings us behind the bench to probe judicial minds analyzing actual trials and sentencings – of abortion protesters, murderers, sex predators, white supremacists and others. He takes us into chambers to hear judges forging appellate decisions about life and death, corporate crime, multimillion-dollar damages, and priceless civil rights. Most significantly, he exposes the financial, political, personal, and professional pressures threatening judicial integrity like never before. Advance reading: Recommended but not required, click here to download a brief handout of advance materials (PDF). Also recommended is Judge Schudson's award-winning book, Independence Corrupted / How America's Judges Make Their Decisions (University of Wisconsin Press, 2018), a nominee for the National Book Award.  Date: Thursday, April 22 Time: 11:00 AM -1:00 PM Facilitator: Charles Benjamin Schudson, a Wisconsin Reserve Judge Emeritus, graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Wisconsin Law School. He served as a state and federal prosecutor, a trial and appellate judge, and a law professor and Fulbright Scholar teaching worldwide. He has been a featured guest on NPR, PBS, and Oprah; since 2019, he has lectured at about forty OLLI programs throughout America. For more information, please visit www.keynoteseminars.net RSVP: Reservations are required. The maximum number of participants for this talk is unlimited, OLLI members only. Click here to RSVP by 3:30 on Wednesday, April 21. Other Questions? Contact Pauline Black at [email protected]

If these topics don't resonate with you or fit your schedule, stay tuned for other options, or host one yourself. It's easy to hold a Conversation Connection on a subject of your choice. To find out more, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Pauline Black at [email protected]

Come to the OLLI Council Meeting All members are welcome to attend meetings of the OLLI Council. Join us on Tuesday, March 23, at 3:30 pm via Zoom, hosted by OLLI Council President Larry Hunter. Click here to see agendas and minutes from previous meetings, and for information about the OLLI Council. If you'd like to attend, contact Larry at [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Spring is Volunteer Appreciation Season

Heartfelt Thanks to OLLI's Curriculum Committee Many thanks to the committee members for their tireless work to bring forward so many great courses on the Zoom platform! Members recognize the challenges that had to be overcome!... Bravo!

Take a moment to thank an OLLI Volunteer! Everywhere you look, there's a volunteer in front of the screen or behind the scenes putting their skills, time, and enthusiasm into making our OLLI outstanding. Has a volunteer made your OLLI experience particularly delightful? Click here to tell us who you'd like to thank and why, and we'll share your comments in a future NewsFlash and on Facebook.

Women's History is American History

OLLI at Berkshire Community College is sharing this free series on The Right to Vote: Re-examining Women's Sufferage, beginning this Tuesday, March 23, and running through May 4, 1:30-3:00 PM EDT/10:30-Noon PDT. In this course a series of guest speakers explore the history of women’s suffrage in the United States, the constitutional framework within which the suffragists worked, and the continuing efforts to address women’s issues including voting, elected representation, and gender related public policy efforts. Click here for details or to register. The Jefferson Exchange at JPR has a special segment looking back to the women's movement of the 70s and 80s in the Rogue Valley. Click here to listen. A wealth of performances, exhibits, essays, and reports on the experiences of women in America is available at https://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Free Lifelong Learning Opportunities

Reminder, this week: OLLI at Berkshire Community College invites you to Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life, an online talk by Dr. Louise Aronson, author of the New York Times bestseller Elderhood. Tuesday, March 23rd, 4:00 pm PDT/7:00 pm EDT. Free and open to all. Click here to RSVP. Southern Oregon AARP invites you to an event for seniors addressing solutions for social isolation. Building Social Connections Thursday, March 25, Noon Click here to register. Questions, contact moderator Sarah Rhamey at [email protected].   Another installment in the Democracy Project is available on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR). This one focuses on self-government in indigenous communities. Click here to listen. SOU archaeologist Chelsea Rose has a monthly radio show on JPR that explores local history. Click here to check out recordings of her programs. OLLI at Berkshire Community College interviewed Fred Gray, who represented Rosa Parks and Dr. King in the Montgomery Bus protests. Click here to watch the conversation on YouTube about Mr. Gray's historic role in the movement for civil rights. The Aspen Institute hosts free lectures and panel discussions on a wide range of topics from personal to global issues. Click here to see what's coming up this week.