Special Interest Groups Hiking Group |  How to Form Groups Sometimes a group of members decide they would like to dedicate some time to a specific interest on an ongoing manner, outside the structure of a study/discussion group, so they form a "Special Interest Group." Currently, Omnilore has only one official Special Interest Group: The Hiking Group. Interest is being explored in forming a Geocaching Club (read all about it at geocaching.com).  At present a little geocaching is done on some of the Hiking Group events, but contact Hal Hart if you are interested in a being part of a new group devoted to geocaching. Formerly, there was a Computers and Technology Special Interest Group, but they became so successful that they morphed into the current Computer Working Group, a standing Omnilore working group that coordinates our monthly Computer Talks presentations on all things computer-related.  In the past, we've also had a Travel Special Interest Group and a Science Special Interest Group. Hiking/Walking Group If you enjoy walking and hiking consider joining other Omniloreans in the monthly outing sponsored by our Special Interest Group dedicated to outdoor perambulation.  We start at 10:00 a.m. on the third Friday of the month from various locations. Nonmembers are welcome to join the group.  The walks or hikes take less than two hours and most participants stay for a group BYO lunch.  Most trips are not difficult and we advise about those that involve moderate climbing.  Come join us! For information about the Hiking/Walking Group, please contact Temporary Hike Club Coordinator Dennis Eggert to be put on the distribution list for specific details about each month's outing. Also, details about scheduled hikes are posted on our Upcoming Events Page. The picture at the top of this page was taken by Hal Hart on the Group's June 2011 hike from Malaga Cove to Torrance's RAT Beach, with a geocache jcl favorite spot #3 found at RAT Beach displayed in the front row. Forming a New Interest Group The first step in proposing the formation of a new Omnilore Special Interest Group is to discuss the matter with the Omnilore Board of Directors.  If they approve of the idea, then you can create an advertisement for the Group for publication in the next Omnilore Newsletter.  Subsequently, if enough members show interest in joining you, then your Group is formed!  All you need to do after that is to get together with all those members who showed an interest, discuss what you all want to do with your group, and arrange when and how often to meet. Be creative.  From time to time, we hear members say that they wished there would be an Omnilore Special Interest Group on gardening or contemporary foreign policy.  Others have suggested that it would be a great idea if Omnilore formed monthly book clubs—perhaps one on contemporary literature and another on contemporary world issues.  Unfortunately, nobody has taken the initiative, stepped forward, and organized such groups.  Are you the organizer that everyone has been looking for?