Special Interest Groups

The OLLI special interest groups (SIGs) are extracurricular groups organized by OLLI members for themselves and other members. During COVID-19, many of the groups are continuing to meet online or outdoors, in accordance with NC State University and state of North Carolina safety precautions. For details and contact information for the SIG leaders, please call the OLLI office at 919.515.5782 (choose option 1).

OLLI Book Group


Meets monthly to discuss books the group has chosen. Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. Contact the OLLI office for meeting location and leader contact information.

OLLI Epicureans


Get together to socialize with other members and enjoy a meal at one of the area’s great restaurants; meets about five times a year. Contact the office to get on the email notification list.

OLLI Family History Group


Meets monthly to exchange information about genealogical searches and resources.

OLLI Family History Writers Group


Critiques of members’ family history narrative. Writing is based on in-depth, cited genealogy research. All reading is done ahead of time, meetings used for critiques.

OLLI Family Stories Writers Group


Our families, especially our children, need to hear our stories, which are also theirs. Stories, up to 1,000 word portions, are read aloud to the group. Our criticism is gentle and our encouragement is abundant. Creative nonfiction is encouraged.

OLLI Paddling Group


Meets up at various spots in the Triangle where rentals are available, so you don’t need to own a kayak or equipment. Beginners welcome. We paddle slow and easy, not trying to get anywhere quickly, but just to enjoy the water, the wildlife, and friendship with other OLLI members. Meets the third Wednesday of each month, May through September.

OLLI Questions Across the Spectrum


Discussions are drawn from over 3,800 TED.COM talks. A back-and-forth exchange of views deepens our understanding of living in a complex world. Discussion and socializing continues over (optional) dinner at a nearby restaurant. Meet the first and third Mondays, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

OLLI Readers Theatre


A wide variety of plays, skits, and monologues come alive through the words of the playwrights, the actors’ faces and bodies, their tone, pitch, and emotion. Scripts are not memorized. Costuming and props are minimal. We learn about acting by acting. We perform for each other and for audiences. Meets Mondays, 3-4:30 p.m.

OLLI Science Special Interest Group


Meets monthly at different locations to discuss advanced topics in science. Participants are actively involved in giving presentations and topic suggestions. Contact the office to be added to the email list so you can be notified about when and where the group is meeting each month.

OLLI Trailblazers


Takes weekly Friday morning walks on various greenways in the Triangle. If you would like to be kept informed via email about where the group is walking next, contact the OLLI office to be added to the email notification list. The group walks September-May.

OLLI Writers Groups


  • OLLI Writers Group: Members share their writings of all kinds (short stories, essays, novels, poetry and nonfiction) and provide feedback to each other. When: 1st Mondays noon – 1:30 p.m.
  • OLLI Family Stories Writers Group: Our families, especially our children, need to hear our stories, which are also theirs. Stories, up to 1,000 word portions, are read aloud to the group. Our criticism is gentle and our encouragement is abundant. Creative nonfiction is encouraged. Meets third Tuesdays, 10:45 a.m.
  • OLLI Family History Writers Group: Critiques of members’ family history narrative. Writing is based on in-depth, cited genealogy research. All reading is done ahead of time, meetings used for critiques. Meets second Fridays, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.