From the Desk of the Executive Director Welcome to Fall Term 2021
By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director
As a member of OLLI, you are a part of a legacy that began 30 years ago with one simple idea: enjoyment of university level lectures for adults to learn, share, and explore interests and build a community of friends. This “community of friends” has kept OLLI vibrant, thriving, and resilient. Today, although OLLI is holding strong with over 1,000 members, we have seen a membership decline that should concern us all. Membership renewal and recruitment are the most important things YOU can do to help OLLI during this challenging time. Take some time today and tell a friend about OLLI. Thanks to Zoom technology, members have enjoyed thousands of hours of synchronous, engaging programs from the comfort of their homes. As we emerge from the pandemic, OLLI campuses are under a major transformation both with the implementation of hybrid technology in classrooms, and at Tallwood, with the construction of an accessibility ramp and additional Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements. These innovations will allow the return of many of our former members who have left due to relocation or mobility issues, and it will create opportunities for new members to enjoy all that OLLI offers.
I know all of you are curious to hear an update on return to in-person classes. The OLLI Board of Directors, program leadership, and staff are busy finding a way forward. We hope to begin moving to in-person classes as early as fall term with a handful of test classes. This will not change your fall course schedule. All classes for fall are via Zoom. As we experiment with hybrid technology, we intend to review delivery of this mode of teaching from all perspectives by evaluating teacher and member experiences, and by assessing technology and logistical support to effectively present the class. In addition, the university has required several health and safety measures with which we must comply. This includes proof of vaccination status and a daily electronic check‑in to verify that all individuals are healthy before coming to campus and the ability to track cases. Expect more information on this process in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support of OLLI as we navigate these changes. The future is bright and exciting!
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held September 17, 2021. OLLI President Paul Howard reported that hybrid class experiments continue with two sessions of basic trials with the leadership team of the OLLI Investment Forum. The plan is to make their sessions among the first hybrid classes later in the fall term. Paul also continued with outreach efforts by giving presentations to Virginia AARP volunteers and participating in a US State Department transition seminar.
Executive Director Jennifer Disano reported ramp installation at Tallwood should be complete by the end of September. The project is designed to meet requirements for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Related construction for the bathrooms and other areas will begin following the ramp completion.
Dallas Joder has stepped down from his position as site assistant in Reston. Two new part-time staff members, Richard Hoback V and Brenton Abrams, have joined our site-assistant team.
Executive Committee meetings continue regarding several pressing topics including construction/improvements at the Tallwood campus, budget issues, COVID safety protocols required by the university, membership, and outreach.
In planning for spring 2022 return to campus, OLLI Mason hopes to deliver in-person, hybrid, and Zoom classes. Technology improvements to support hybrid classes are ongoing.
Currently there are 1003 members (985 annual and 18 intro). Sixty-six of the annual members are at the promotional rate.
One resolution was unanimously approved by the Board:
Resolution, 210918-01, The Board approves $25,000 in Scholarships/Grants for 2021 from Friends of OLLI funds for the following: Scholarships for George Mason departments, $20,000; university library grant, $1,000; scholarship for NVCC-Mason transfer student, $1,000; scholarship to purchase books for Mason maintenance staff, $1,000; and support for the Fall for the Book Festival, $2,000.
By Barbara Wilan, Loudoun Program Planning Group Co‑chair
Please join us for a meeting of the Loudoun Program Planning Group on Friday, October 1 at 10:00. We welcome all members who are interested in planning Loudoun campus classes. To join the virtual meeting, click on this Zoom link and use passcode 246810, or enter meeting ID 849 1373 3826 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode. You may also dial in at 301-715- 8592.
On September 17, Dr. Peter Stearns, provost emeritus and university professor of history at Mason, a specialist in social history, led a class on the position of children in American society today.
Dr. Stearns began by reviewing the status of children through US history, stating that until recently we had been a rather child-friendly society, with children being considered important within families, and with government policies and programs supporting and investing resources in the needs of children. He believes this has changed in the past few decades and offered concrete examples. Polls show that childless couples report being happier than those with children. We are bearing fewer children than ever. Government actions on behalf of children have declined: we have not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Child, and no White House Conferences on the Child, sources of child-friendly policies, have been held in 40 years.
The US now has a birthrate too low to maintain a stable population (excluding immigration). Some possible consequences of having fewer children in our population include labor-force issues, reduced attention to, and investment in, children among citizens and government, and reduced ability of youth to advocate for its interests.
Dr. Stearns reviewed some possible causes of the changes in our attitudes toward children: the growing importance of careers to women; reluctance to bring children into the world as it is today; and perceptions that it is more difficult and costly today to raise children. Factors like scarcity and cost of good childcare, high college costs, and others are examples. He voiced concern over the decline in expectations that children will do “chores” and thereby learn to be societal contributors, gain self-confidence, and practice life skills.
He also voiced some hope based on current administration initiatives to support childcare, education, children’s health. But he stated that these hopes were “fragile.”
Dr. Stearns responded to many questions from attendees, including those on changes in childbearing patterns, the possible role of social media in our society’s attitudes toward children, the importance of economic factors, and comparisons with other nations.
Thank you, Dr. Stearns for making us think!
The September 2021 Photo of the Month theme was Gardens. We selected Edward Marion's photo "Butchart Gardens," which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.
-- By John Olsen and Ed Marion, Photography Club Coordinators
Mason’s campuses are in the process of reopening. Limited programs at both Fairfax and Manassas campuses and virtual performances are available for us to access and enjoy. Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just send an email to Brianna Schoen atbschoen@gmu.edu. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
Mason Student & Faculty Performances (see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)
Arts Emerging: A Celebration of Renewal
Sat, Sep 25, 5:00
5:00 to 7:30: Student and alumni showcases and exhibitions on and around Holton Plaza; food and drink available for purchase
8:00 to 9:00: Main stage student and alumni performance in the Concert Hall
Admission: $10.
Mason Jazz Mondays: Jazz Combos Departmental
Mon, Oct 4 and 18, 12:30
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A327C
Admission: Free.
Gallery Exhibition: Changing Landscapes: The Digital Age, Encroachment, and Eventual Outcomes
Through Sun, Oct 10
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Angela Knight Music Productions:Queen of People's Hearts
Sat, Sep 25, 2:00 and 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35.
Hylton on the Hill: The Grascals
Sun, Sep 26, 4:00
Admission: $25.
Hylton on the Hill: Carly Harvey’s Kiss & Ride
Sun, Oct 3, 4:00
Admission: $25.
Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised information.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Sep 25
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Sep 28
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Sep 29
2:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Sep 30
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 1
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
Craft and Conversation Loudoun Program Planning Group Meeting
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Sat Oct 2
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Oct 5
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 6
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Thu Oct 7
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 8
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
2:00 pm
2:30 pm
Photography Club
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Tallwood Book Club
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, Jane Hassell
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/” without the quotes.
we had been a rather child-friendly society, with children being considered important within families, and with government policies and programs supporting and investing resources in the needs of children. He believes this has changed in the past few decades and offered concrete examples. Polls show that childless couples report being happier than those with children. We are bearing fewer children than ever. Government actions on behalf of children have declined: we have not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Child, and no White House Conferences on the Child, sources of child-friendly policies, have been held in 40 years.
