OLLI at SOU NEWSFLASH
January 4, 2021
Winter Term Begins Today
Many OLLI courses begin this week, with more coming as the term progresses. We are looking forward to an engaging winter term, welcoming back returning members, and extending a warm welcome to our many new members, some of whom would not be able to join us were it not for the OLLI 2U program. With so many courses accommodating an unlimited number of students, there are still plenty of open courses to choose if you have room in your schedule for another class. Click here for the catalog to see what's available.
Conversation Connections
OLLI is hosting a series of Conversation Connections again this term. These are Zoom-based conversations on a variety of topics designed to encourage OLLI members to meet other members in small group settings. 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.

Here's the winter line-up so far. Registration opens about two weeks before each Con-Con on a first come/first served basis, and will be announced here in the NewsFlash. Spaces are limited in order to allow participation by all attendees. If you'd like to facilitate a Conversation Connection on a topic of interest to you, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Pauline Black at [email protected]
The following Conversation Connections are currently open for sign-ups:
  • Topic: "Talk to Me"
  • Description: You are invited to engage in a one-hour dialogue with Oregon State Senator Jeff Golden facilitated by retired attorney John Ferris and retired school administrator Barry Vitcov. This is the first of what we hope will be a series with local politicians, policy makers, and influencers. Guidelines to follow.
  • Date: Today - Monday, January 4
  • Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
  • Facilitators: John Ferris and Barry Vitcov
  • RSVP: More spaces have been added to allow additional members to attend; OLLI members only. Reservations are required. Click here to RSVP by 1:00 PM.
  • Other Questions? Contact John Ferris at [email protected]

  • Topic: China
  • Description: Want to join a lively discussion about China? Join Meiwen Richards, who was born in Taiwan, and John Richards, a recently retired SOU professor, as they discuss and answer questions about their experiences in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
  • Date: Tuesday, January 12
  • Time: 1:00-2:30 PM
  • Facilitators: Meiwen Richards and John Richards
  • RSVP: Reservations are required, and honored on a first response basis. The maximum number of participants for this event is 15, OLLI members only. RSVP by 3:30 on Monday, January 11. Click here to RSVP.
  • Other Questions? Contact Meiwen Richards and John Richards at [email protected]

  • Topic: "The Chosen"
  • Description: "The Chosen" TV series. If you’ve seen it, how has it impacted you? What effect do you think it will have long term, globally?
  • Date: Thursday, January 14
  • Time: 1:00-2:30 PM
  • Facilitators: James Aquino
  • RSVP: Reservations are required, and honored on a first response basis. The maximum number of participants for this event is 15, OLLI members only. RSVP by 3:30 on Wednesday, January 13. Click here to RSVP.
  • Other Questions? Contact James Aquino at [email protected]
Zoom Practice Partners Needed

Instructors are preparing to teach via Zoom, 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?

This week:

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 Anne Coleman at [email protected]
Connect 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]
Virtual Classrooms - Friendly Tips
As we continue to get acquainted with the ins and outs of online learning, we all need time to adjust each other's online learning preferences, the same as we do when we have in-person class meetings. OLLI would like to remind everyone that:

  • It’s okay to have your camera off. Some people prefer to keep their web camera turned off when they attend OLLI classes. Reasons for doing so may include privacy concerns, Internet connectivity limitations, health issues, and other personal reasons. Please do not pressure anyone else to turn on their camera if they prefer not to. It's not just good manners to be flexible and understanding about this, it's also SOU's policy that all students have this choice. But if you’re comfortable with it, having your camera on can help participants feel more connected.
  • Please do not comment on other people’s backgrounds, no matter how interesting or tempting it may be.
  • Mute your microphone until you’re ready to talk. Background noise can be distracting. If you aren’t speaking, hit mute until you’re ready to talk so no one else has to listen your neighbor’s barking dog or your dishwasher.
  • Consider camera position. You may want to prop your laptop or mobile device up so that it is at your eye level. This position gives the appearance that you're in the room, on the same level as others, rather than as a giant gazing ominously down.

Questions or concerns about any of this or other issues? Please contact the OLLI office at [email protected]
Audit a Course with Honors College Students
OLLI volunteer Irv Lubliner, SOU Honors College Director Cherstin Lyon, and Dr. Brook Colley, Chair of Native American Studies, invite OLLI members to take a course with Honors College students this winter. The course, Native American Tribal Law, is delivered 100% online and will feature some exciting guest speakers. The topic is timely, involving issues of social justice.

Dr. Colley appreciates the participation and contributions of OLLI members in her courses. Honors College students who take the course will be invited to help lead the summer Democracy Project, which will entail learning more about democracy in our local area and with our area tribes, and developing a service project in collaboration with an area tribe. 

OLLI members (and other residents) who are 65+ and who have lived in Oregon for at least one year are eligible to audit SOU courses when space is available and with the approval of the instructor. Please note, this does not apply to studio arts courses. Click here to learn more about auditing courses. SOU's winter term begins on January 4.
More Learning Opportunities
Did you know that you can sign up for online classes with Ashland Parks & Rec? Many of the classes are free, some of them have a small registration fee. Choices include Yoga classes, a class on healthy aging taught by OLLI member and instructor Anne Bellegia, and the "Ashland Radio Hour" presented by a talented cast of local older adults, including several OLLI members. Click here for more information.

If you need help signing up for any of these Ashland Parks & Rec classes, please call them at 541-488-5340.
Lifelong Learning Opportunities
Reminder: OLLI at Berkshire Community College invites OLLI members everywhere to celebrate Elvis Presley's birthday on January 8 with a book talk about his connection to the Jewish community by author Roselle Chartock. Free and open to all. Advance registration is required. Click here for more information and to sign up.

Tuesday, January 5, Noon: Books@Noon - Jackson County Library Services invites you to share your current reading choices with others and discuss what they are reading. Click here to reserve a spot.

If you missed the Stanford Center on Longevity's Century Summit 2020 in early December, you can access recordings of the presentations online now. Click here to review the topics and access the discussions.

Explore Mars in 360 views with the help of NASA's Curiosity rover. Click here to take a look around.

Aspen Ideas To Go offers Leadership Lessons for Difficult Times from former heads of state:
  • The Second Most Important Ability for a Leader: A sense of humor ranks high, according to Dan Glickman, who served 18 years in Congress, and was secretary of agriculture in the Clinton administration. Click here for his reflections on the year past and his expectations for the new administration (video).
  • The World Needs Women in Leadership Roles: Click here to hear former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Prime Minister of New Zealand the Honorable Helen Clark as they speak about women’s roles on the global stage now and into the future (podcast).

Check out the Austin music scene from the comfort of home with free concerts online. Click here to see what's on offer.