Members and their guests may participate in any or all of the following groups.
SPEAKER SERIES
These events will be held at a branch of Austin Public Libraries (Yarbrough, Howson and Old Quarry), generally on the second Wednesday of each month. Speaker Series includes Finance/Investments, Interdisciplinary Topics, Health and Discussion Topics.
Upcoming Speakers:
- May 22, 1:30 PM: Dr. Barbara Bergin: KNEES – Dr. Bergin is a retired orthopedic surgeon and the topic will be the knee! Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition.
Recent Speakers:
- “Grief 101″ by Jocelyn Chamera-Barrera (April 10, 2024). Jocelyn Chamra-Barrera is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin. She has been a practicing social worker in Austin since 2014. Jocelyn has focused her work in the areas of mental health, child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence, and significant trauma. She is trained in EMDR and is currently working on her play therapy licensure. She has previous experience working with children, adolescents, and families, having served as a social worker at a Family Resource Center and the Travis County Child Advocacy Center. Jocelyn has previously served as a children, family, and adult therapist at Austin Center for Grief and Loss. She has previously served Christi Center as the Bilingual Support Coordinator, Kids Who Care Coordinator, Program Manager and Program Director.
Co-Chairs: Phil Kelton, 512-466-9120, Alice Reinarz, 979-571-7723, and Karrol Kitt (Health), 512-299-2646
View photos from the Speaker Series
TRAVEL
Meetings are announced by email. This group normally meets at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center in the Moffett Library. The group discusses future travel destinations and participates in talks and presentations of members’ trips already taken. Of particular interest are various modes of travel, such as educationally focused travel, volunteer or service-centered travel and more.
EXPERIENCE PORTUGAL (April 17 – 28)
This rejuvenating Globus land tour of Portugal leads you past rolling olive farms, through scenic cork groves, and down winding Moorish alleyways to the country’s signature delights. From the granules of golden sand to the rich nuggets of history, this enlightening tour of Portugal introduces you to the brightest sights of the country as you make a loop from lively Lisbon and back.
CRUISING THE BRITISH ISLES (June 20 – July 2)
12 nights and 8 ports on the fabulous Regal Princess ship! Explore the British Isles with Princess, awarded “Best Cruise Line in Europe” and select a variety of optional excursions. See charming countryside and storybook castles. Discover timeless traditions found in the heart of each town. Listen to traditional tunes at a local venue in Ireland or Beatles songs at a pub in England. Experience age-old traditions and an opportunity to tour the landing beaches of Normandy during this 80 th anniversary year of D-Day. Airfare, pre- and post- hotel stays will be offered.
EXPLORING UTAH’S MIGHTY NATIONAL PARKS (September 22 – 27)
Featuring 7 days and 6 nights, including 5 nights in Moab, Utah. Highlights include travel to the Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, a Canyonlands by Night cruise, Monument Valley and a Colorado Wine Tasting. This adventure in some of America’s most gorgeous national parks is hosted by Premier World Discovery.
Utah National Parks Trip Preview Meeting: www.relaxedescapes.com/utah
RECENT TRIP PHOTOS:
- PORTUGAL TOUR (April, 2024)
- NEW YORK CITY & HUDSON RIVER VALLEY (September, 2023)
- NOVA SCOTIA & THE CANADIAN MARITIMES (July, 2023)
- ICELAND PRE-TRIP SOCIAL (March, 2023)
- ICELAND TRIP (March, 2023)
Co-Chairs: Kathy and Richard Armenta 512-262-7019
View photos from the Travel Group
FOODIES
The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for RFSA members and a guest to experience interesting restaurants in Austin and to socialize. Guests will be responsible for their own costs.
Chair: Robert Lawrence, 512-585-6208
View photos from the Foodies group
ARTS AND CULTURE
This group informs our members of all types of art and culture events: Museums, Music, Dance, Theater, Lectures and more… led by U.T. professors and alumni (on-campus and off-campus).
Co-Chairs: Hillary Hart, 512-423-5022 and Madeline Sutherland-Meier, 512-565-0906
ARTS AND CULTURE INTEREST GROUP EVENTS AND ARTS OPPORTUNITIES:
- Briscoe Center: Briscoecenter.org
- Butler School of Music: Music.utexas.edu.events/2022-2023
- Texas Performing Arts: texasperformingarts.org
- Austin Classical Guitar: austinclassicalguitar.org
- May 4: The Age of Humans with Laraine Kentridge Lasdon and Justice Phillips: Evening of poetry and music in an intimate Hyde Park space. Register here.
- Blanton Museum of Art: (blantonmuseum.org)
- Harry Ransom Center: hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions
- Austin Shakespeare Company: https://www.austinshakespeare.org/
View photos from the Arts & Culture group
BRIDGE
The Bridge Group meets on the first Monday of each month in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Texas Exes provides free parking in the garage, as well as free iced drinks and coffee.
If you are not already on the bridge list, reserve a chair by contacting Mary Kay by the Wednesday prior to the game.
Chair: Mary Kay Hemenway, 512-913-6058
View photos from the Bridge group
EXERCISE
A weekly class, designed for RFSA members, meets in Gregory Gym on Monday mornings from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. To participate, you need to join Rec Sports if you are not already a member; you can join at their office just inside the entrance to Gregory Gym. There is an additional fee of $10 per month to cover the cost for the class instructor.
Experienced exercise instructor Sandy Erickson leads us in a variety of exercises designed for all ages and fitness levels. She can adapt the exercises for anyone with special needs.
Chair: Carolyn Wylie, 512-453-2556
ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES
TEXAS EXES SUPPORT and COORDINATION: Carol Barrett [512-840-5657]
OLLI (Oscher Lifeling Learning Institute) – The University of Texas at Austin Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (UT OLLI) is where curious adults can enjoy classes in a relaxed community of friends, among leading scholars and experts, who share a fascination with exploring new areas of knowledge and traditional disciplines.
AROHE (Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education) – RFSA is a member of this international organization. AROHE champions transformative practices to support all ages of faculty and staff retirement, the mutually beneficial engagement of retirees with one another and with their institutions, and their continuing contributions to campus and family life. By sharing research, innovative ideas and successful practices, AROHE supports the development and enhancement of campus-based retirement organizations and programs which support retirees’ lifelong engagement in higher education. The association is an excellent resource for retirement organizations and their membership in assisting with the varying stages of retirement.