OLLI at SOU NEWSFLASH
September 28, 2020
Two Conversation Connections This Week
In addition to the line-up of Conversation Connections announced last week, we have another especially timely addition this week:

  • Topic: The Absence of RBG.  What does the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg mean to the Supreme Court – to the nation? A conversation.
  • Description: This is not a lecture, but time to share and converse. Crying is allowed if you are so inclined. All opinions are welcome. Before the meeting, those registered will receive a list of possible discussion topics. The Zoom invitation link will be sent at that time as well.
  • Date: Wednesday, September 30
  • Time: 3:00–4:15 PM or so (Expected to run a bit over an hour, but depends on conversation.)
  • Facilitator: Barbara Klein
  • RSVP: Reservations are required, and honored on a first response basis. The maximum number of participants for this event is 24, OLLI members only. RSVP by 3:30 on Tuesday, September 29. Click here to RSVP.
  • Note: The deadline for RSVP is Sept 29th , the day before our Con-Con. That date is also the night of the one scheduled presidential debate.  It is likely that the topic of filling the SCOTUS seat left vacant by RBG will be on tap.
  • Other Questions? Contact Barbara Klein at [email protected]. (Email preferred, but Barbara can be reached at 541.708.0518.)

And there is still time to RSVP for:
  • Topic: Volunteering Perspective: Impact of Physical Distancing Precautions on Community Nonprofits
  • Description: The pandemic has had profound impacts on the workplace. What is less well-recognized is how it has affected a different kind of work—volunteerism. Literally thousands of contributors to the local quality of life were left “jobless” overnight. Other volunteers experienced significant changes in their roles and still others saw unplanned increases in responsibilities. The recent fires have added to these shifts. Come share what organization(s) you’ve supported with your time and talent, how physical distancing requirements and now the fires have impacted your nonprofit and your involvement, and how your identity, purpose and connections may have been altered as a result.
  • Date: Thursday, October 1
  • Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
  • Facilitator: Anne Bellegia
  • RSVP: Reservations are required, and honored on a first response basis. The maximum number of participants for this event is 12, OLLI members only. Click here to RSVP.
  • Other Questions? Contact Anne Bellegia at [email protected] or 541-944-7095.

If either of these topics interests you, RSVP today. If not, wait for the next one….or better yet, step up to facilitate one yourself.
If you have a topic you'd like to talk over with other OLLI members, you may want to consider holding your own Conversation Connection. Contact Rob Joseph, Social Team Lead, at [email protected] for facilitator guidelines and more information. You don't have to be an expert or an instructor to facilitate a Conversation Connection. They are are one-time meetings on a specific topic of discussion held on Zoom, and are designed to encourage OLLI members to meet other members in a small group setting.
Zoom Practice Partners Needed

Instructors are preparing to teach via Zoom this year, and would like to hone their skills with live participants, AKA Zoom Practice Partners or ZPPs. ZPPs will have the double benefit of improving your own comfort with taking classes on Zoom, while helping OLLI instructors practice. Do you have 30 to 45 minutes you can spare to help out?

There are two opportunities to be ZPPs this week and next:

If you are interested and available to be a Zoom Practice Partner for any of these sessions, click on the instructor’s email 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 Nancy Rhodes at [email protected].
Connecting with Your Instructors
One of the differences between in-person classes and online learning is how it affects student/instructor communication. When an in-person class ends, students have the opportunity to hang back for a few minutes and talk to their instructors. With online learning it's a little different, but the OLLI Curriculum Committee would like students to know that your instructors still want to hear from you. Feel free to email your instructors to talk about something that came up during class and/or to provide feedback on how you think the course is going.

If you have any questions, please email Susan Stitham, co-chair of the Curriculum Committee, at [email protected]
OLLI's Outreach Efforts to Almeda Fire Victims
OLLI volunteers have gone above and beyond the call of duty to reach out to OLLI members who live in Talent and Phoenix to check in with them and make connections between those who need help and those who can offer help. Thank you to Communications & Community Outreach Chair Peg Evans and her team of phone callers for this effort. And thank you so much to OLLI members who have generously offered housing resources to OLLI members, as well as to SOU staff, faculty, and students who have lost their homes. SOU's appreciation is expressed in a thank you recently received from Jeanne Stallman, SOU's Associate Vice President of Government & Corporate Relations. Jeanne wrote:

This morning I was able to assure the Provost that there was an option for a particular beloved faculty member who is in need of housing. It is my hope that OLLI members recognize that they have the ability to make a difference within the university at such a critical time. I know, from various OLLI members I've talked to in the past week, how members value both the ongoing classes and the sense of community within OLLI; and, I hope they continue to grow in feeling that is true for the whole university community. We need us all, to be able to navigate these times! 
Do You Have an Evacuation Plan?
For many of us, the recent fires have emphasized how critical it is for everyone in our community to prepare for an emergency. If you have not already prepared a plan, the OLLI Council would like to encourage you to consider doing so now, before the next disaster strikes. A great place to start is the webpage for Jackson County Emergency Management: jacksoncountyor.org/emergency/Preparedness/Overview
Member-to-Member Remote Tech Support
Member-to-member tech support is again available thanks to OLLI volunteers. We know many members are learning to connect remotely to take OLLI courses or to meet up with friends and family online while we stay safe and save lives at home. Some of OLLI’s tech savvy members have volunteered to provide some tech support to help members get connected. If you would like help with getting up to speed online, click here to submit a request for tech support. and we will connect you with a Tech Support volunteer.
 
Please note: While volunteers will offer support to the best of their ability remotely, we cannot guarantee that every issue will be solved successfully. Please keep in mind that this process can require time and patience, too.
Electoral College Interview on JPR
OLLI volunteer instructor Susan Stitham’s interview on the Jefferson Exchange about the Electoral College is now available online. And if you want to learn more than you can in a 15 minute interview, there is still room in Susan's class. Click here for the interview.
Free Concert for OLLI Members
Chamber Music Concerts presents the Borromeo String Quartet in a free program for OLLI members on Saturday, October 3 at 10:00 am. The program will take place on Zoom — please go to this link at the time of the program:

Inspiring audiences for more than 25 years, each visionary performance of the award-winning Borromeo String Quartet strengthens its reputation as one of the most important ensembles of our time. Based in Boston, the quartet has been ensemble-in-residence at the New England Conservatory and Taos School of Music for 25 years, as well as at the Heifetz International Music Institute. They have also worked extensively with the Library of Congress and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Chamber Music Concerts will also present the quartet in two formal concerts, streamed online, on October 2 at 7:30pm and October 3 at 3pm. For details and to purchase tickets, visit ChamberMusicConcerts.org.
Lifelong Learning Opportunities
"We're Better Than This:" OLLI at Berkshire Community College invites OLLI members to a free evening of engaging online conversation with Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, the widow of Congressman Elijah Cummings.
Wednesday, September 30
7:00 pm EDT/4:00 pm PDT
Advance registration is required (and free). Click here to register or find more information.

Prince George’s Community College’s Center for Performing Arts is offering free virtual programs beginning on Saturday, October 10, with a diverse line-up of events, including live orchestra, ballet performances, and more. For more information and to register for events, visit pgcc.edu/arts.