Interest groups

UWRA members organize interest groups to learn, explore, build skills and connect with other members. These volunteer-led groups are a great place for retirees to reconnect with colleagues, share interests and experiences and expand their horizons. New groups are welcome! Email the UWRA office with your ideas.

Contact the interest group coordinator listed with each group’s description for more information about that group, or email the UWRA office. All groups welcome participation by new UWRA members.

Additionally, members of the UW Retirement Association and the UW Faculty Auxiliary (UWFA) are welcome to participate in each others’ interest groups. You can learn about UWFA’s groups here.

UWRA Interest Groups

• Birding: Half- or full-day local field trips, monthly on Tuesdays. Transportation is by carpool. A typical trip is 12-20 people; a few are accomplished birders but most are learners. Beginners are welcome! Bring binoculars. If you would like to receive the Birding Group’s annual schedule or have any questions, please email Bettimae Metheny. To see a short video with clips from the birders’ past outings, click here.
• Book Review: Currently meeting virtually on the second Friday of each month, with in-person meetings twice a year. Typically a member presents one book in depth, followed by a general discussion. You can find all the books and dates on the UWRA calendar. For the Zoom link, please email Connie Bourassa-Shaw.
• Bridge: Currently on hiatus.
• Caregiver Chats: Email the UWRA office if you are interested in getting together for with other caregivers for networking and support.
• Day Trips: Virtually visit local spots of interest. Watch the UWRA calendar and UWRA’s Events page and e-digest for announcements and register for any and all trips that interest you. Email the UWRA office with questions.
• Hi-Lites Garden Club: Brown bag lunch followed by coffee/tea, desserts, and presentations by gardening professionals on the first Tuesday of the month. For the active gardener and the gardener at heart! Email Shelley Hartnett for more information.
• Husky Sports: Group tickets in reserved seats for UW ‘Olympic Sports’ (volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, women’s basketball, tennis, softball, baseball). You can find the current offerings on UWRA’s Events page or on the UWRA calendar. Contact Mark Johnson with questions.
• Music and Musicians: Email the UWRA office if you are interested in gathering with other UWRA musicians to play for or with each other.
• What’s the Big Idea? Currently on hiatus – returning Fall 2023.
• Writers’ Workshop: Email the UWRA office if you are interested in meeting with other UWRA writers, at all levels, to share progress and provide support to each other.