SOAR’s Shared Interest Groups bring together SOAR members for conversation, discovery, connection.
SOAR members hail from across the country, each person bringing their own diverse background, experiences and perspectives.
Happy Autumn SOAR members and friends! This class schedule marks two full cycles that I have been with SOAR, and it has led to some reflection.
Here are some of the things that I have learned about SOAR. SOAR members are intelligent, interesting, enthusiastic, joyful, and engaged. Our members genuinely love learning and sharing. They are generous with their time and their thoughts, and they participate in classes in a way that brings our volunteer faculty back year after year. In fact, that is the number one feedback that I hear from our faculty. They continue to teach for SOAR because our members are engaged and ask good questions. Kudos to you!
Over the past two years we have made some significant changes. We have begun to offer a single class option, increased the number of classes a full member can take during the term, started live broadcasting many of our classes, and have welcomed new members and staff.
SOAR continues to work on growth and improvement, and we always welcome your feedback. To that end, you will notice a few changes in this class schedule. We have included a pull-out calendar with all the classes listed. We heard you say you missed this feature. We are including symbols to help you better understand which classes are In Person only, Zoom only, or a combination of both. We heard you say the current system is confusing. And we are offering more opportunities for socializing and getting to know other SOAR members. Please join us for a “Get to Know You Thursday” lunch when we invite SOAR members to have lunch together (in the office) and talk a little about themselves. In addition, the office will be open (with coffee) for folks to eat together every day during the term.
There are loads of great classes, special events, field trips, and more scheduled for the term. As you look through the class schedule or attend classes this term, please remember that SOAR is a VOLUNTEER LED organization, and we need each of you to make it successful. Consider how you might contribute to our collective success. There are many committees that need members and leaders. What skills can you offer? Please reach out to the office or any Board member to talk about ways that you can help.
Finally, SOAR’s #1 means of growth is friends sharing SOAR with other friends. Please share with your friends what you love about SOAR and bring them to the Bring a Friend for Free Day on Wednesday, October 16th. If you have friends that want to try a SOAR class but cannot attend that day, please bring them a different day. We would love to share SOAR with more members of the community.
Happy learning!
Enrollment begins September 16, 2024 and classes begin on October 14th.
