## Summary:
Deanna Hansen, president of the Renaissance Society at Sacramento State, presents an overview of the organization celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Renaissance Society offers a vibrant and affordable lifelong learning community with approximately 1800-2000 members annually, focusing on continued education, social interaction, and active engagement for adults primarily aged 50 and above, with an average member age of 75 and some over 100 years old. The society provides 200-250 seminars and presentations each year, both in-person and via Zoom, covering diverse topics from science to music and history, all peer-taught without homework or grading. The organization emphasizes member participation to combat loneliness and promote mental and physical health, supporting intergenerational projects and mentoring gerontology students. It also contributes over a million dollars in scholarships and supports campus food pantries. Membership costs $120 per year, allowing unlimited class access, with additional activities such as tours, social events, and physical activities like walking groups. The society fosters community connection, lifelong learning, and leadership development among its members.
### Membership
- Approximately 1800-1850 members annually.
- New membership recruitment every year.
- Registration for 2026-27 year recently opened; about 350 members enrolled so far.
- Membership dipped during COVID but has recovered.
- No age requirement; growing membership in 50-60 age group.
- Average age of members is around 75.
- Some members over 90 and even over 100 years old.
- Members 90+ receive free tuition.
### Member Participation and Importance
- Emphasis on social connection to combat loneliness, especially after COVID.
- Use of Zoom technology helped sustain activities during the pandemic.
- Encourages involvement for all ages, not just retirees.
- Challenges in recruiting leadership roles from retired members.
### Health and Wellbeing
- Reference to Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's study on loneliness.
- Book recommendation: "Eat Your Ice Cream" by Ezekiel Emanuel - importance of socializing while engaging in activities.
## Programs and Activities
### Classes and Seminars
- Year split into semesters with 200-250 seminars/presentations annually.
- Classes available both in-person and via Zoom (hybrid model).
- No homework, tests, or grading.
- Peer-taught classes; members must be part of the society to teach.
- Examples of popular classes:
- Music classes (jazz, Bob Dylan, rock and roll, Beatles, classical music).
- History classes, including topics related to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
### Special Series and Events
- New series with one-time speakers who do not need to commit for an entire semester.
- Friday Forum open to the public with community speakers on various non-political topics.
- Tours such as State Capitol and Capitol Public Radio headquarters.
- Outdoor activities like white water rafting and weekly walking groups (Walkabouts) with different difficulty levels.
- Social events including pizza parties and picnics.
### Community Involvement
- Mentorship of gerontology students at Sacramento State.
- Over 1 million dollars donated in scholarships over 40 years.
- Donations to campus food pantries providing food and essentials.
## Accessibility and Affordability
- Annual membership fee: $120 for unlimited classes.
- Parking available at a discounted rate of $40 per year.
- Most activities and classes included in the membership fee.
- Compared to other lifelong learning organizations (e.g., OLLI), Renaissance is more economical.
## Additional Information
- Website provided on brochures and business cards for detailed information and course catalogs.
- Members highly active physically and socially.
## Q&A Highlights
- Average age of members is 75.
- Members over 90 participate in the same classes as others.
- Enrollment in popular classes fills up rapidly, sometimes within minutes.
- Classes are peer-led by enthusiasts, not necessarily experts.
- Sacramento State president Luke Wood has engaged with the group through open Q&A sessions.
For more information, visit the Renaissance Society website www.csus.edu/rensoc
The Prez presented a certificate for a $25 donation to polio vaccination efforts, with matching funds in her name.
