LAST FRIDAY'S THREE EVENTS
By Pat Carroll, President
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE MEMBERS who participated in the OLLI Annual Meeting at Tallwood on May 2. Bob Bohall, chair of the Nominating Committee, introduced all seven of our candidates for the 2008-2009 Board. Each was allocated a few minutes to give a brief update of their background and thoughts for the new board to help OLLI continue and grow. We had a good crowd and many good questions. Now that the candidate presentations have been completed at both Tallwood and Reston, I hope all of the members will participate in the vote. The ballots have been mailed and the ballot boxes placed. We had over 400 voters last year, and hopefully we will surpass that number this year. Remember, this is the group that you elect to manage our OLLI.
     I would like express my gratitude to Debbie Halverson and her many, many volunteers who helped set up and run the excellent picnic we had on Friday. It was chocoholic heaven with all of the great chocolate desserts. Also, our Executive Director, Thom Clement, brought his very large grill (almost filled up his pickup) and then acted as chef and cooked all of the hamburgers and hot dogs.
     Debbie and her volunteers are to be given a huge round of applause for the wonderful silent auction set up in TA-3. The last tally I received was over $3,000 and still counting. I understand there will be another silent auction in Reston on May 21. Plan to attend.
     We are quickly coming to the end of another term of superb classes at OLLI and preparing to receive catalogs for the summer. It is time to take a short breather and then refocus on the next term. (P.S. The Loudoun campus is only half through its term, so there is time to visit classes in Sterling. Contact Madeline Lynn or Ray Beery in Loudoun to see what is special.)
     One last thought. When you see a member with a red dot (new member), take the time to say hello and ask if you can help in any way. We have all been new at one time and would like some one to just smile and speak to us.
SILENT AUCTION TAKES IN 3K
 By Debbie Halverson, Membership Committee Chair
A HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS IS DUE TO US ALL as we report over $3,000 as the total sales take on the Silent Auction. We still have loose ends to pick up but we can certainly feel good about the effort that so many put into making this event a successful one.
     The day itself went so well … beautiful weather, a crowded TA-1 for the Annual Meeting where we heard our great slate of board candidates tell us their thoughts about serving, and then the delightful lunch on the lawn with folks milling around, picking up their burgers or a sausage in bun while visiting in the true friendly OLLI way.
     Those who participated in the bidding seemed pleased with the variety of items and services available; crowds gathered around the table where various dinner parties and other services that involve socializing over food were listed. Little was left over, but whatever was, with a few exceptions, will be included in the Silent Auction on May 21, 4:00 to 7:00 at the Roe home in Reston when the Reston folks get a turn to raise money for Friends of OLLI. All OLLI members are invited to attend that event. [See the Eye on Reston article below for details. --Ed.].
     We learned a lot from the process of working this first OLLI Silent Auction and particularly during the end game when the cashing out process required much patience on the bidders’ part. We do appreciate that.
     I have so many people to thank for all that they did to make this event such a success, and I can’t possibly do it all here. But the one person who must be named is the indomitable Doris Bloch who is still chasing details. Except for her, we might not have been able to pull it off.
     Now let’s enjoy the fruits of our winnings.
LET’S GO FOR 1,000!
 By Thom Clement, Executive Director
DURING OUR ANNUAL MEETING and "Meet the Candidates" on May 2, there was much discussion of the challenges facing OLLI at Mason, including the consequences of membership growth. Most of us like to see new members because they bring new talents, fresh perspectives, and a high level of energy. We know that we may qualify for an additional endowment from the Osher Foundation if we reach a total of 1,000 members. Several OLLI members have asked the question, "How are we going to handle 1,000 members when we are already having problems with lack of space for classes and for parking?"
     My response to the question is that I would welcome the challenge of finding adequate space for 1,000 members, particularly if that level of membership gains us significant financial resources. To handle a larger membership, we would need to be creative in dealing with the variables of time, space, and money. For example, we may want to look at having courses and activities at different times than our current schedule allows. We also might consider using other spaces for activities, as we currently do when we conduct our "megacourses" at the local church and in the Lake Anne church in Reston. Additional time and space would probably require money to pay for rental and staff support.
     As one of the board candidates mentioned in the meeting, we already have approximately 850 members when you include the OLLI in Loudoun, so we’re only talking about 150 more to reach 1,000. With all of the creative problem-solving ability that we already have, and adding the energy and ideas of 150 new members, we can face any challenges that are put before us. I say, "Let’s go for 1,000!"

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MASON HIGHLIGHTS
By Barbara Kyriakakis, OLLI E-News Staff Writer

Adrianna at OLLI       • Student Recitals – Adrianna Sgarlata, vocalist, 12:00; Laura Riski, piano, 2:00; Injung Kim, vocalist, 3:00; Shavawn Dowling, vocalist, 4:00; Alex Hodge, guitar, 6:00; and Hyun Jung Lee, piano, 8:00. All recitals are in the Harris Theater on Sat, May 10, and all are free.       • Senior Video Projects – Members of the first class of the new Film and Video Studies degree program present their final projects. Tue, May 13, 5:00, JC Cinema.       • Baseball – Last three games of the season. Mason v. William & Mary, Thu, May 15 and Fri, May 16 at 3:00; Sat, May 17 at 2:00. All games are against William & Mary and are played on Spuhler Field. Tickets: $2. Call 703-993-3270.       • Annual George Mason/Jordan Kitts Piano Sale – Sat, May 25, 11:00-5:00 in the Performing Arts Building. Used pianos by Steinway and Kawai are offered to Mason faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the university community at reduced prices before being offered to the general public. New and used pianos of other brand names will also be available.