Interest Groups
Interest Groups provide additional exploration, discussion and community for OLLI SF State members. All members are encouraged to participate and contribute as part of their lifelong learning experience. We welcome new groups, suggestions and ideas.
There is no cost for participation in Interest Groups; but all participants must be OLLI members. Please contact olli@sfsu.edu to join an interest group.
Meeting Groups Schedule
The following interest groups are currently meeting via Zoom unless noted:
| Interest Group | Frequency | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|
| Collage Art Group | every 4th Tuesday | 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. |
| Current Events Special Interest Group | 1st and 3rd Wednesdays | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., in-person at 160 Spear St., room 508 |
| California Book Club | 4th Wednesdays of every odd-numbered month | 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., at 160 Spear in room 508 |
| French Conversation | every Wednesday | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. |
| German Conversation | 1st and 3rd Wednesdays | 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. |
| Human Evolution | 2nd and 4th Wednesdays | 10:00 a.m. – noon |
| Intermediate Level Italian Conversation | every Friday | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. |
| OLLI Hikers | monthly | in person, various locations |
| OLLI Plus | 2nd and 4th Mondays | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in-person at main SFSU campus, Humanities 587 |
| Poetry Workshop Circle | 1st and 3rd Wednesdays | 12:15 – 2:15 p.m. |
| S.F. Adventure Group | monthly | in person, various locations |
| Share-A-Book | monthly, 3rd Tuesdays | 11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m., in-person at 160 Spear St., room 508 |
| Share-A-Film | monthly, 4th Mondays | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (except holidays) |
Interest Groups Details
Current Facilitator: Libby Noronha
Members take turn leading the meetings
- Meeting Day/Time: First and Third Wednesdays, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- Meeting Location: In-person; Room 508 at 160 Spear St.
If you are interested in what's going on in our nation (and the world) and want to share, voice an opinion, work on actions, come add to the conversation.
Facilitator: Graziella Danieli
Practice speaking French with friends in an informal and supportive setting. Members choose topics of conversation each week.
Meeting Day/Time: weekly on Wednesdays 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Check Program Calendar for details.
Meeting Location: Online via Zoom
There is no cost for participation in this group; but all participants must be OLLI members.
Practice speaking German with friends in an informal and supportive setting. Each week we choose a different topic based on an article, video or what's going on in the world, while mixing new vocabulary into the recipe and on rare occasions even sprinkling a wee bit of grammar on top.
- Meeting Days/Times: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
- Meeting Location: Online via Zoom
There is no cost for participation in this group; but all participants must be OLLI members.
Facilitator: Dr. Charlie Vella
- Meeting Day/Time: 2nd and 4th Wednesday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- 2nd Wednesday - East Asian Paleoarcheology
- 4th Wed - Science Update and Evolution of Language.
- Meeting Location: Online via Zoom
Explore the many discoveries of the past 60 years together!
There is no cost for participation in this group; but all participants must be OLLI members.
Facilitator: Ruth Weinberg
Practice speaking Italian with friends in an informal and supportive setting. Each week we have rotating discussion leaders who choose the topic of conversation for that week.
- Meeting Days/Times: Fridays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- Meeting Location: Online via Zoom
There is no cost for participation in this group; but all participants must be OLLI members.
Current Facilitator: Ana Linder
Members take turns coordinating hikes
- Meeting Day/Time: Varies. Watch weekly Member Newsletter - Some "distance" hikes are being offered
The hiking/walking group is a cooperative whereby we all pitch in and share responsibilities for leading walks/hikes in our beautiful Bay Area, and take our turn for the ongoing management tasks. We currently hold a walk a month. The walk/hike leader determines the route of the walk, what time it starts and ends, its pace, length and elevation change. It is the responsibility of the leader to familiarize her/himself with the trail, begin and end the walk on time, and make sure that there are sufficient restrooms. The team leader will send out a description of the walk/hike at least two weeks in advance. It is the responsibility of walkers to only sign up for walks/hikes that are appropriate for their level of physical fitness, and to make sure that they pack sufficient water, sunscreen and layers of clothing.
OLLI Plus
OLLI Plus Events and Lectures
On-campus lectures are offered twice a month from September through July on the main SFSU Campus on Holloway. OLLI Membership at $55 per year entitles members to attend on-campus OLLI Plus lectures and participate in other OLLI and OLLI Plus offerings which may entail specific costs. Note that there are no talks in late November or late December.
OLLI Plus also presents a variety of events for active seniors, including special classes, travel opportunities, tours, group tickets for cultural events, luncheons and dinners, and a monthly newsletter sent via email.
OLLI Plus is a Premier Interest Group of OLLI at San Francisco State. It developed out of the former Sixty Plus at SF State, one of the longest-standing lifelong learning communities in San Francisco, active on the SF State campus since 1975.
Now incorporated into OLLI, OLLI Plus welcomes all OLLI members. OLLI at SF State is proud that OLLI Plus is part of our SF State program!
- Meeting Days and Times: Second and fourth Mondays, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Humanities 587, San Francisco State University Main Campus, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco.
For More Information
Email: olli@sfsu.edu
Phone: (415) 338-OLLI (6554)
Mailing Address: OLLI at SFSU, 160 Spear Street, 5th Floor, SF, CA
OLLI Plus Groups Details
Facilitator: Corey Weinstein
- Meeting Day/Time: Usually 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 12:15 – 2:15 p.m. Please check Program Calendar.
- Meeting Location: Online via Zoom
Please join us if you are interested in writing poetry, prose poems or exploring these genres in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Check out our writer's work at our member's Vistas & Byways online Literary Review
There is no cost for participation in this group; but all participants must be OLLI members.
Facilitators: Members take turns coordinating outings.
- Meeting Day/Time: Varies. Watch weekly Member Newsletter
There are many free and low cost events in our great City and this group shares cool activities (like visiting out of the way SF places, attending events) with OLLI participants to explore SF, get to know OLLI members and socialize. Email olli@sfsu.edu if you are interested in being part of this new group.