WELCOME TO THE SPRING TERM
By Pat Carroll, President
I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE back to another fabulous term at OLLI at Mason. The catalog and curriculum seem to get better every term. I am already hearing great comments about this catalog. The Program Committee, chaired by Kathryn Russell, and the Resource Groups continue to spend a vast amount of time and energy to keep bringing new and exciting courses and events to the membership. The Board and Committee Chairs continue to look for volunteers in all facets of the organization. However, the Program Committee is always in need of help in order to maintain and grow the curriculum. The Loudoun Program Committee is expanding its membership and variety of courses under the leadership of Ray Beery and Madeline Lynn; the committee is now composed entirely of Loudoun members.
     The National Conference of OLLIs is being held in Phoenix, Arizona, on Apr 2-4 this year. Executive Director Thom Clement and I will be attending, representing OLLI at Mason. We will give an update of the results of the conference at the next Board meeting after we return and in OLLI E-News.
     The New Member Coffee for this term will be held in the Tallwood annex on Fri, Mar 28, at 10:30 followed by the monthly Board meeting at 11:30. At the Board meeting, the Nominating Committee will be announcing the slate of candidates for the election of new Board members to be held in May.
     The annual Teacher Appreciation Reception will be held on Thu, Apr 10, at George Mason. The focus of the reception is two-fold. One is to thank the George Mason professors who graciously give of their time to teach classes and the OLLI members who develop, teach and support our great variety of learning experiences. The second is to present the scholarships that are given annually from the generosity of OLLI members donating to the Friends of OLLI.
     I hope all members will have another great term and think about how each of us can continue to volunteer our time and resources to make an even better OLLI.
THE OLLI BALANCING ACT
 By Thom Clement, Executive Director
WELCOME BACK TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD of OLLI at Mason! The spring 2008 term looks as if it could be one of the best ever!
     I’ve been hearing lots of discussions in our resource groups about a topic that I loosely call the "balancing act" in OLLI programming. The basic issue is the extent to which we allow presentations by speakers or instructors who represent a particular product, service, or point of view. At first glance, the issue seems black and white: it is our longstanding de facto policy and practice that we don’t allow anyone to sell a particular product or promote a single point of view in our classes. Nevertheless, there are several shades of gray. Many of our speakers from the realm of government come with particular ideological beliefs that weave themselves into presentations on history and current events. Several instructors in the finance and economics courses have biases toward particular types of investment or insurance vehicles. Guests who are authors will often refer to books they have available for purchase. In the emerging field of "brain fitness," some of the available presentations are characterized by impressive descriptions of scientific research but are accompanied by references to particular materials or equipment that are for sale.
     Over the 17 years of successful growth at our OLLI, we have done a great job of maintaining the balance between our desire to offer stimulating presentations from highly qualified instructors and the likelihood that some of these instructors will occasionally, either inadvertently or by design, share their personal biases or describe the product or service offered by their company. We need to remain vigilant in guarding this balanced approach. OLLI BLOOMS IN THE SPRING OLLI AUDIOVISUAL UPGRADES
By Paul Howard, Audiovisual Support Committee Chair
THE SPRING TERM IS ABOUT TO KICK OFF. The Audiovisual Support Committee, also known as the Tom Swift Squad, has been working with OLLI’s A/V contractor to improve our instructional support infrastructure.
     A stereo amplifier system was installed with loudspeakers in TA-2 for high-quality sound sources such as CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and laptops, bringing the equipment in this classroom to the same standard as in TA-1 and TA-3. Also, additional "sound reinforcement/PA microphone system" speakers were added in the rear of TA-2 to allow students to clearly hear the instructor above any noise of the heating/air conditioning system.
     Audio input cables have been added in the front of each classroom for use with sound sources such as laptop computers, iPods and MP3/CD players. These sources can now play over each room’s stereo sound system.
     A hard-wired "introducer’s microphone" with an on-off switch will be available in each classroom for liaisons and course coordinators to use at the beginning of each class. Bob Lawshe fabricated three cable holders/mic-stand bases for use with the new microphones.
     Another addition to OLLI’s electronic line-up: wireless presentation remotes to control laptops (e.g., to advance PowerPoint slides and perform mouse functions). These devices include an integrated laser pointer and were suggested by Dick Hart and Rod Zumbro.
     A hard-wired Internet connection is now available in the front of TA-1 and TA-3. Similar Internet connections for TA-2, Thom Clement's office and other parts of the campus will be installed later in the term.
     Members of the Tom Swift Squad are Michael Coyne, Don Ferret, Bob Helland, Paul Howard, Jim Miller, Manny Pablo, Stan Schretter, and John West. Additional volunteer members are welcome and needed, particularly from Reston. As a reminder, only members of OLLI staff, or the Tom Swift Squad, are trained and permitted to adjust the classroom A/V systems.
NEW EXHIBIT IN ANNEX
By Marvina Munch, Exhibits Coordinator MEMBERS OF OLLI'S POETRY WORKSHOP display a collection of their poems that give us access to their experiences, humor, imaginations and emotions. Each poem is unique in reflecting the individuality of its author and the versatility of the medium. Take your time with this exhibit. It is worthy.

CLASS CHANGES

#704, LAW ENFORCEMENT SYMPOSIUM Due to a major protective assignment in mid-April, the Secret Service presentation and the U.S. Marshals Service presentation have switched dates.      On Tue, Apr 1, Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge Julie Ferrell, Northern Virginia Investigative Team of the Washington Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service, will present the previously scheduled Apr 15 class on modern day counterfeiting, identity theft and protection-related manpower problems.      Chief Inspector Michael Rose of the U.S. Marshals Service will be switching his presentation to Tue, Apr 15. #606, THE QUESTION OF GOD This course has been canceled due to health problems of the instructor. The course is planned now for the fall term.

SOUNDING OUT ABOUT YOUR SILENT AUCTION

By Debbie Halverson, Membership Committee Chair
WE'RE GOING TO BE LOUD AND CLEAR ON THIS: preparations for the first OLLI Silent Auction, scheduled for May 2, begin now!
     We’re inviting each of our members to think about what they might put forward for the bidding, and the options are many. Everyone can have fun putting their imaginations to work generating ideas. I’ve already considered several of my own: 

• I could contribute a collection of watercolor how-to books I have never cracked.
• I could offer to drive someone’s home-bound friend to Occoquan for a day of lunch and shopping.
• I could, as a beader, create several beautiful necklaces.
• I could make a gift basket of baby items for someone to give at a baby shower.
• I could forgo two tickets to a play that are part of a subscription package I’ve already paid for.

     We have set up five categories of donations. Once you have decided on what you would donate, please contact the members who are tracking pledges in their category. They will keep track of the developing list to know what will be available on May 2 when the official auction occurs.
     The categories, suggestions and contacts are as follows: 

1. Items of value: sports equipment, power tools, jewelry, etc in good condition; no yard sale type items, no electronic equipment, and no furniture. Mona Smith and Bob Dorosin.
2. Works of art, photography, and crafts: matted artwork, quilting pieces, needlework, etc. Jan Bohall and Elizabeth Crawford.
3. Themed baskets: weddings, baby showers, items for Mother, graduations. Martha Scanlon and Doris Weisman.
4. Offers for services: two hours of garden help, computer help, performance at a special event, etc. Carolyn Sanders and Ceda McGrew.
5. Miscellaneous: tickets to performances, dinner for two at…, a morning at the beauty spa. Carole Richard and Joyce Dorosin.

     Doris Bloch and I will be keeping a master list, and Joan Smith will be the contact for Reston donations. These contacts will be standing by waiting for your emails; don’t be surprised, however, if they should approach you with suggestions if they happen to know of your particular talents or knowledge.
     Future articles will address IRS issues related to charitable donations, how to price your item, how a silent auction works, and, before long, a list of pledges already received. Check the bulletin boards in the Tallwood social room and at Lake Anne for ongoing news about the events of May 2. The yellow-fellow logo will keep you informed.