MEETING CLASSMATES OVER FOOD
By Debbie Halverson, President
SOME CLASSES ORGANIZE A GROUP LUNCHEON after the final session of a class. This week those of us in Diane Coppage’s close-reading Jane Austin class did just that at the Coyote Grill with the Mason professor graciously doing the arranging.

This popular class, that discussed Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, had formed for the summer term following a very successful spring course on Austen’s Emma. By now, we had become Austen aficionados and sharing that affection, we were pleased to continue our discussion over salad and nachos. A very pleasant way to end a term.      Which brings me to the whole concept of deepening our OLLI relationships over food: It isn't necessary to wait until the last session of a course to follow up a particular class with lunch or coffee together. There are many good and informal eating establishments near the campus where the informality of conversation about a topic under discussion could be continued. Reston people have restaurants and a coffee shop just a stone's throw from the door of the Baptist Church where Lake Anne classes meet. Often two or three classmates may repair to one of these following class, perhaps not to dwell so much on the discussion topic as to continue the friendly atmosphere that comes with discussion.

     I would suggest that anyone who wishes to gather a few classmates after class could mention that to the liaison who could announce the idea before the class or even as folks are leaving the room. Spontaneity sometimes works better and easier than planning ahead. But that would work too.

BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

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SECOND ANNIVERSARY

FROM THE EDITOR
FALL REGISTRATION
THE LAST TWO ARTICLES DESCRIBED the rationale for the development of an online registration system and the system’s functionality. Hopefully, by now many of you have gone on line and signed up for your User Name and Password. In this article the fall registration procedures will be discussed. There will be some changes, but if you usually register by mail things will be the same. Registration will begin on August 22.
     PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM FOR THE FALL. The Fall Catalog will go to the printer by Fri, Jul 27. Shortly thereafter, it will be on the OLLI Website, as usual, as a pdf document. A registration form that can be filled out on line also will be provided. The print catalog also will be bulk mailed as usual. A word here … the catalog arrives at your homes at different times. This is totally a function of how each individual post office handles its bulk mail. The OLLI office has no control over when exactly you receive your catalog. The only way this could be controlled would be to mail the catalog first class, a prohibitively expensive option.
     But there is good news. You how have another tool for selecting your courses. The online system allows you to "View the latest course information." Course information for the fall will be placed on the site at the same time the catalog is mailed. You can sign on and use the online schedule to plan for the fall term. Remember, you can click on each column heading to sort the column. A User Account is not needed to view this feature.

REGISTERING: You can now register three ways--      1. Mail: Complete your application and mail it to OLLI with necessary checks (membership if due) for course materials and special events. Remember, you will need one check for each special event so that it can be returned if you are wait-listed. Registrations received by mail will be held until the start of registration. They will be entered into the system in the order received beginning on Thu, Aug 23.      2. Walk-In: Walk-in registration will begin on Wed, Aug 22, at 10:00 am. Why 10:00? Since this is the first use of the online registration system, we want to allow two hours on the first day or registration to deal with any problems that might arise. In subsequent terms, walk- in registration and online registration will open at the same time. On day one of registration, staff will have computer terminals set up at Tallwood. Individual registrations will be entered by staff or volunteers as they are received. Payment can be by check or credit card.      3. Online Registration: Online registration will open at 8:00 am on Wed, Aug 22. Last week we explained the functionality of the system. A week before registration begins we will send a blast email with a step-by-step guide to registering on line. Remember, only credit cards can be used for the payment of membership and course/special event fees if you register on line. It is very important that you enter your course selections in priority order. You will be able to check and change your selections and priorities before submitting your registration.

     CONFIRMATION: After you register – or your registration form is entered – you will receive an email listing the courses for which you registered. Each course or event will have a "P" next to it. This means the registration is pending. Use this list to check and see that all information is correct. You can use the online drop/add function to change course selections or priorities.
     Following the close of registration on Fri, Aug 31, the system software will sort by priorities and prepare class lists. Confirmation letters will be sent to each registrant as usual. After you have received your confirmation, you can use the online system to drop or add a course in the event you have been wait-listed or have had a change in your personal schedule.
     Once the class lists have been created, we will publish the Closed Class list. Late registration will be opened for courses that have not been filled.

A NOTE ON RESTON: I have been giving a great deal of thought as to how a walk-in registration can be offered at Reston/Lake Anne. As you know, we have no wireless connection at the church. I plan to speak with the Community Center and the Library to see if a station can be set up there on the first day of registration. If this is possible, a notice will be sent to all individuals with email who reside in Zip codes immediately contiguous to Reston. If such an email is not received in the week prior to registration, it should be assumed that it was not possible to establish such a site.

     Starting up a new system can result in surprises. We ask your patience as we implement this new system and service for members.
     The final registration-system article, which will appear when OLLI E-News resumes publication on Fri, Aug 17, will address the issue of credit-card payment. I know that this concerns many of you.

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RELATED LINKS
     > Overview of new registration system (Jul 13, 2007)
     > New registration system: what can I do? (Jul 20, 2007)

FALL FOR THE BOOK