Programs
Shared Interest Groups (SIGs)
OLLI's Shared Interest Groups (SIGS) offer opportunity and informal learning around a shared interest. They are free and open to OLLI-USF Members.
Contact each SIG directly (click on the bold green names) to get connected.
China SIG
The China SIG fosters an appreciation for and understanding of the Chinese people
and their cultures. Our group meets at least quarterly, either virtually or in person.
We celebrate Chinese traditional holidays and enjoy presentations and videos by a
variety of speakers and musicians. For more information, contact Kun Shi or Nancy Stuart.
Community of Readers and Writers
We meet via Zoom for discussion and special events and share reading of current novels,
nonfiction, short stories, memoirs, and essays. We offer feedback of your writing
through group conversation with experienced readers and train newcomers in our supportive
methods. Our private Facebook site is a resource of ideas for developing your storytelling
and literary skills. Contact readersandwriters.too@gmail.com.
Food! Glorious Food!
Are you interested in exploring Tampa's food world and all that it represents? Come
with us on a journey to investigate the world of food - how it grows, where to buy
it and where to eat it as we learn through speakers, field trips and other presentations
that are available on the Zoom online platform. For information, please contact Sandy Buckley.
German Conversation SIG
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Practice German conversation in a friendly and casual setting. We meet the 2nd and
4th Tuesday of the month, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., on Zoom. Various topics will be
covered; some knowledge of fundamentals will be helpful. For more information, contact
Christine Basch.
Hablemos! Spanish Conversation SIG
Is your español rusty from lack of use? Join our friendly conversation group via Zoom
on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m. Come to talk or to listen; all
levels of Spanish speakers welcome. Contact Ethel Donaghy or Debbie Gitomer at olli.hablemos@gmail.com for more information.
Ici on parle français!
This group provides a place for Francophones and Francophiles to meet and discuss
topics of interest in French. Zoom sessions are held on the first and third Mondays
of each month. A basic knowledge of French is required, but all levels of speaking
ability are welcomed. To join in, please contact Lise Bérubé.
Local Culture SIG
Do you enjoy attending plays and concerts, historical tours, art museums and the like?
Do that and more with fellow OLLI members while you discover what our local culture
has to offer. For more information, contact Greg Pennington.
Let's have more fun together.
OLLI Outdoors
The OLLI Outdoors SIG holds recreational and virtual events throughout the month.
Get outdoors with others to experience our activities which include hiking, walking,
canoe/kayaking and biking. Learn about the histories, flora & fauna, geologic features,
and the challenges facing our outdoor spaces. This SIG is a collaborative effort with
members taking turns leading, organizing and administering hikes, outdoor events and
related programs. Join us to stay curious and adventurous. For more information, email the SIG Leaders here.
OLLI Shutterbugs
Do you like to take photos of people, places, and things? Join the OLLI Shutterbugs
on photo outings to places like farmers' markets, craft fairs, and many other venues
in and around Tampa Bay. We have an outing about once a month from Sept./Oct. through
June. We also meet every other month for a presentation to help you improve your photos!
For information email Rich Edwards or Jean Nixon.
Online Games SIG - Two ways to enjoy your Games SIG:
* Board Games
The Board Games SIG has returned after a long hiatus stemming from the pandemic. The group meets the third Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at various locations in the Tampa area. Bring your favorite board game, or just bring yourself, and join in the fun! Contact Robyn Cheung for more information.
* Online Games
The Online Games SIG meets the second Thursday of each month from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Are you interested in trying online games? Join this group of Scattergories enthusiasts for a fun afternoon. Laughs guaranteed. Contact Kathy Palmer for more information
Operatunity
Whether you are new to opera or an aficionado, join OLLI's opera SIG as we all explore
ways to expand our knowledge and appreciation of opera. We meet monthly to enjoy lively
discussion about opera that focuses on the Met in HD broadcasts. Contact Kathryn Alyson for more information about our "Operatunity family."
P-SIG: Politics Shared Interest Group
The Politics Shared Interest Group provides a forum for discussion and informal debate
on topics related to U.S. domestic and foreign policy. The P-SIG complements and
promotes OLLI-USF classes on Political Science and History and is an adjunct to our
weekly Saturday Social which covers current events of political interest. P-SIG meetings
will be held periodically on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00 at Compton Park in Tampa Palms
in a hybrid setting (in person and via Zoom). Meeting dates will be announced well
in advance and are open to OLLI-USF members and their sponsored guests. For more
information and to be included on our mailing list, please contact Rich Kennedy.
Talking Movies
Love Movies? HATE the fact that many never make it to local screens? Join us; we'll
be selecting movies to view on our own, then gathering to talk about them. We meet
via Zoom on the third Friday each month from 1:30 -3:00 p.m. Contact Richard Rogers for more information.
Write Time for Poets
Welcome to your online poetry-writing community. Once a month, join us in our Zoom
room -- your creative space. Work on your poems-in-progress and/or practice timed
writing in response to prompts. We meet for 90 minutes on the 2nd Thursday each month
from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Contact Cath Mason for more information.
Check the OLLI Master Calendar to view upcoming SIG meeting dates.
Can I Start a SIG?
Yes! OLLI's Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) foster learning and friendships by linking
OLLI-USF members who share a common interest (bridge, play-going, etc.). SIGs do not
take the place of OLLI courses and programs – they complement them! Like everything
else in this learning community, all it takes is a member willing to take the lead.
We'll help you find others who share the same interest.
OLLI-USF's volunteer Nancy Baily-Williamson is SIG Liaison and part of OLLI-USF's Leadership Team. Nancy is available for SIG general information or assistance.
View or download OLLI-USF's Guidelines for SIGs.
Would you like to propose a new SIG? View or complete an application here.