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Interest Groups, Events and Activities

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:

Dr. Harriett Chaney, “Fall Prevention”

March 25, 1:30 PM, Howson Branch Library: Speaker Carl Stuart (Stuart Investment Advisors): “Review of the Current Financial Markets”

April 22, 1:30 PM, Howson Branch Library: Dr. Linda J. Quintanilla will speak on her book, “Warriors for Social Justice”. Dr. Quintanilla earned an Ed.D. from the University of Houston in educational leadership and cultural studies. Linda’s book examines the contributions of Mexican American activists to the nation’s democratic values by concentrating on the activism of Maria Jimenez (1950-2020) in Houston. She was recommended to the Speaker Series by RFSA member Ruth Rubio.

Co-Chairs: Phil Kelton, 512-466-9120, Alice Reinarz, 979-571-7723

View photos from the Speaker Series

TRAVEL COMMITTEE

Your Travel Committee is proud to announce THREE new travel opportunities for next year. Itineraries, registration and pricing information will be finalized in coming weeks. Stay tuned and begin to consider:

  • Spain’s Costa del Sol & Madrid, with optional 3-night Barcelona tour extension, April 3-11, 2027

  • Canada & New England St. Lawrence River Cruise on Holland America, June 8-19, 2027

  • Ireland Tour “Irish Gold,” September 30 – October 9, 2027

Sign up to receive information about 2027 Trip Preview Meetings!

And the good news is that there’s still available spots on both the Alaska cruise/land tour and the Fall Colors/Adirondack tour for this year. So, hurry and make your plans for joining us on one or both of these amazing opportunities.

Here is a quick summary of our current RFSA 2026 Travel Adventures offerings, along with links to the taped zoom Preview meetings:

  • 11-Day Denali Explorer Cruise Tour – Aug 1-12, 2026

Escape the heat and experience the best of Alaska with a 7-day cruise on the Discovery Princess beginning in Vancouver through the stunning Inside Passage, featuring breathtaking glaciers and wildlife sightings. Then seamlessly transition to a 4-night land tour via Princess Cruise’s exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service, exploring the majestic landscapes of Mt. McKinley, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks. Sign up on the Alaska Denali Cruise Tour Trip Preview Recording and Registration Page

  • Autumn Fall Colors in the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes Region: Sept 20-28, 2026

Autumn is an exciting time to visit New York’s Adirondacks and Finger Lakes region. Tour the picturesque Sonnenberg Gardens and have lunch in beautiful Belhurst Castle. Learn the history of our nation’s pastime, baseball in Cooperstown and enjoy a narrated lunch cruise on scenic Lake George. Explore the one thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River on a cruise to historic Dark Island, home to Singer Castle. Sign up on the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes Tour Trip Preview Recording and Registration Page

RECENT TRIP PHOTOS:

Co-Chairs: Kathy Armenta or Richard Armenta 512-262-7019. Contact Lori Threatt (our travel advisor) at lori@relaxedescapes.com

FOODIESFoodies 10/21/22 at Sawyers & Co.

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

Blanton Art Museum, April 22, 2025 – Madeline Sutherland-Meier, Sally Van Sickle, Neil Crump and guide Larry McCullough

ARTS AND CULTURE

This group informs our members of all types of art and culture events: Museums, Music, Dance, Theater, Lectures and more (both on and off campus).

Co-Chairs: Hillary Hart, 512-423-5022 and Madeline Sutherland-Meier, 512-565-0906

EVENTS AND ARTS OPPORTUNITIES: 

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.

We play party bridge, not duplicate, and you do not need to provide your own partner. If you want to join the group or have your name added to the mailing list, you may reserve a spot by contacting Mary Kay Hemenway (mkhemenway@utexas.edu).

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 9:00 – 10:00 AM. To participate, you must be a member of RecSports. RecSports membership is $14/month, and 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]

Volunteerism and Service Learning – Volunteerism and Service Learning’s programs offer students the chance to learn outside the classroom, focusing on service and leadership to learn about the world and themselves during their time at The University of Texas at Austin. VSL envisions a world in which all students become lifelong citizens, embodying the University’s core purpose: “to transform lives for the benefit of society.”

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.