INSIDE OLLI -
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The Lobby at 160 Spear St. - San Francisco
Home of the OLLI Program
Photo by Kathy Bruin
Home of the OLLI Program
Photo by Kathy Bruin
Interview with Pete Tannen, Leader of the
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Mike: Hello Pete. Tell us about this Staying Active group. What is its focus?
Pete: This is a support group for members to discuss and share personal experiences about keeping active and avoid worry getting older. We also talk about modifying our physical activities when necessary to avoid accidents and or injuries and remaining optimistic about our personal future by consciously avoiding worry.
Mike: Tell us some of the discussion topics and activities that you and the group engage in during your biweekly meetings.
Pete: We've talked about dealing with future illness or accidents, if necessary, at the time of occurrence, and not getting caught up worrying about “what ifs.” Interpersonal relationships have also come up in discussions. We pass along suggestions, based upon our experience, to other members when they request it.
Mike: How many OLLI members are currently active in the group?
Pete: We average about four people per group meeting, but we have as many as seven.
Pete: This is a support group for members to discuss and share personal experiences about keeping active and avoid worry getting older. We also talk about modifying our physical activities when necessary to avoid accidents and or injuries and remaining optimistic about our personal future by consciously avoiding worry.
Mike: Tell us some of the discussion topics and activities that you and the group engage in during your biweekly meetings.
Pete: We've talked about dealing with future illness or accidents, if necessary, at the time of occurrence, and not getting caught up worrying about “what ifs.” Interpersonal relationships have also come up in discussions. We pass along suggestions, based upon our experience, to other members when they request it.
Mike: How many OLLI members are currently active in the group?
Pete: We average about four people per group meeting, but we have as many as seven.
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Mike: What is the gender mix of the current members?
Pete: Currently, I am the only male in the group, and I especially welcome more men to consider joining,
Mike: How long has the group been active?
Pete: Since March 2023
Mike: How do you and the group members evaluate personal progress in the meetings?
Pete: We go around the room and offer feedback at the end of each meeting as to how we think we benefited from the meeting. At the start of each meeting, we also go around the room and briefly report on how things have been going since the last meeting.
Mike: Tell us a little about your background. Where did you grow up and where did you go to school?
Pete: I grew up in NYC and the NYC area. I have a BE in mechanical engineering from New York University and a ME in mechanical engineering from Stanford University.
Mike: What kind of work have you done prior to leading this Interest Group?
Pete: I worked as a mechanical engineer. In the mid-1980s I transitioned to transportation planning and retired after being SF’s first Bicycle Program Manager for 14 years.
Pete: Currently, I am the only male in the group, and I especially welcome more men to consider joining,
Mike: How long has the group been active?
Pete: Since March 2023
Mike: How do you and the group members evaluate personal progress in the meetings?
Pete: We go around the room and offer feedback at the end of each meeting as to how we think we benefited from the meeting. At the start of each meeting, we also go around the room and briefly report on how things have been going since the last meeting.
Mike: Tell us a little about your background. Where did you grow up and where did you go to school?
Pete: I grew up in NYC and the NYC area. I have a BE in mechanical engineering from New York University and a ME in mechanical engineering from Stanford University.
Mike: What kind of work have you done prior to leading this Interest Group?
Pete: I worked as a mechanical engineer. In the mid-1980s I transitioned to transportation planning and retired after being SF’s first Bicycle Program Manager for 14 years.
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Mike: How did you end up leading this OLLI Interest Group?
Pete: I wanted to join a a group like this but couldn’t find one. So, I decided to start one.
Mike: What other tasks have you undertaken for our OLLI program?
Pete: I served four years on the OLLI Council, coordinated the SF Adventures Group, and taught six OLLI historical hiking classes.
Mike: How does an OLLI member who is interested in participating in this Staying Active and Minimizing Aging Worries group get started?
Pete: Contact the OLLI office to express your interest. I will email you a one-page description of the group and answer any questions that you may have. This is an ongoing and not a drop-in group, so members need to commit to regular attendance.
Mike: Thank you, Pete, for sharing this information with Vistas & Byways.
Pete: I wanted to join a a group like this but couldn’t find one. So, I decided to start one.
Mike: What other tasks have you undertaken for our OLLI program?
Pete: I served four years on the OLLI Council, coordinated the SF Adventures Group, and taught six OLLI historical hiking classes.
Mike: How does an OLLI member who is interested in participating in this Staying Active and Minimizing Aging Worries group get started?
Pete: Contact the OLLI office to express your interest. I will email you a one-page description of the group and answer any questions that you may have. This is an ongoing and not a drop-in group, so members need to commit to regular attendance.
Mike: Thank you, Pete, for sharing this information with Vistas & Byways.
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