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.
The following interest groups are currently meeting via Zoom unless noted:
| Interest Group | Frequency | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|
| OLLI Plus | 2nd and 4th Mondays | 1 – 2:30 p.m. |
| Art Creativity Group | every 4th Tuesday | 2:30 – 4 p.m. |
| French Conversation | every Wednesday | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. |
| German Conversation | every 2 weeks, Wednesdays | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. |
| Human Evolution | monthly, 4th Wednesdays | 10 a.m. – noon |
| Intermediate Level Italian Conversation | every Friday | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. |
| OLLI Hikers | monthly | in person, various locations |
| Poetry Group | 1st and 3rd Wednesdays | 12:15 – 2:15 p.m. |
| Share-A-Book | monthly, 3rd Tuesdays | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., in person |
| Share-A-Film | monthly, 4th Mondays | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (except holidays) |
| S.F. Adventure Group | monthly | in person, various locations |
| Staying Active and Minimizing Aging Worries Support Group | 2nd and 4th Tuesdays | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., in-person |
OLLI Plus
OLLI Plus Events and Lectures:
On-campus lectures are offered twice a month from September through July, followed by social time. 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.
From September to May, the University provides shuttle bus service at 12:30 p.m. from the Lake Merced parking lot at the foot of Sunset Blvd. A return trip leaves at 2:45 p.m. from in front of the Creative Arts Building on Holloway Avenue.
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, SF State Main Campus, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco.
For More Information, contact:
Email: olli@sfsu.edu
Phone: (415) 817-4243
Mailing Address: OLLI at SFSU, 160 Spear Street, Suite 1230, SF, CA
View the archive of newsletters
Share-A-Book
Facilitator - Pat Keenan
Meeting Day/Time: 3rd Tues of the month, 11 a.m.
Meeting Location: In-person, 160 Spear St, room 508
Instead of a typical book club, participants discuss books they have read recently and share recommended reading. Hear about a book that each group member is passionate about and discuss it’s genre, country of origin, author, etc. Meets monthly. For more info email OLLI@sfsu.edu or call (415) 817-4243.
There is no cost for participation in this group; but all participants must be OLLI members.
Share-A-Film Discussion Interest Group
Facilitator: Maryellen Buckley
Meeting Day/Time: Usually 4th Monday of each month from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Please check Program Calendar.
Meeting Location: Online via Zoom
Interested in meeting fellow film buffs to discuss new and old films....the good, the bad, the strange, etc.? A new group, modeled on the excellent Share-A-Book group, is looking for members who love movies and want to get recommendations for great films, discuss weird scenes, identify great actors, compare books to films, etc. A suggested group of current films is provided, and members do their best to see them; but the discussion is not hinged on this. Please come prepared to recommend one or two of your all-time favorite movies and to comment on the favorites of others.
There is no cost for participation in this group; but all participants must be OLLI members.
Poetry Writing Group
Facilitator: Corey Weinstein
Meeting Day/Time: Usually 1st & 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.
Human Evolution Interest Group
Facilitator: Dr. Charlie Vella
Meeting Day/Time: Usually 4th Wednesday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please check program calendar
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.
Staying Active and Minimizing Aging Worries Support Group
Facilitator: Pete Tannen
Meeting Day/Time: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Meeting Location: In-Person, please contact PTannen9@gmail.com with any questions.
Staying Active and Minimizing Aging Worries Support Group. Focusing on personal issues and concerns about aging (including continuing to stay physically active and fostering an optimistic view of our personal future), this ongoing group is for physically active members.
French Conversation
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.
German Conversation - Intermediate Level
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: Every 2 weeks, Wednesdays 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.
Italian Conversation - Intermediate Level
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.
OLLI Hikers Group
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.
SF Adventures
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.
Funding provided in part by
The Bernard Osher Foundation
Contact Us
Email: olli@sfsu.edu
Campus Locations