About the Optical Society of Southern California

Since 1951, the Optical Society of Southern California has been the Southern California local section of Optica founded to increase and disseminate the knowledge of optics and closely allied sciences. The Society meets monthly from September through June (except December) and also organizes regular family-friendly outreach events.

Members Enjoy:

Meal Discounts at most regular meetings
Access to the on-line Membership Directory, meeting videos, meeting slides, the newsletter archive, and other members only documents and materials.
Opportunity to join the OSSC Leadership Team!

Membership dues increase on October 1, 2025. Join or renew today to lock-in the lower rate!

Membership Info Events

Already a member? Visit our Member Portal to access exclusive member only content.

OSSC Meetings and Technical Presentations

Recent OSSC Meeting

10 September 2025
The Sutter Turn Key Observatory (TKO)

Dr. Joel Sercel
President & CEO, TransAstra

Meeting Details & Registration

OSSC Meetings are free open to the public and may be attended either in person or on-line. There is a fee charged for those joining us for dinner. We would love for you and your colleagues to attend.

Outreach

Seeking Volunteers

The OSSC seeks volunteers for upcoming events being organized by our friends at Vital Link and other partners in Orange County. Please contact the Outreach Chair if you are interested.

We would love your help!

Check out Donn's Public Photo Albums | QOISC for photos of recent and past outreach events.

Find more OSSC Outreach Information, including Sponsorship levels for the Vital Link 'Empowering Futures' event.

OSSC Leadership Team Activities

OSSC Membership Dues Increase Starting October 1, 2025

After careful consideration, the OSSC Board of Directors (BOD) voted unanimously on August 8 to increase OSSC membership dues effective October 1, 2025.

Increased dues will allow us to significantly increase the value of OSSC Membership by allowing us to enhance our website and newsletter, increase funding of outreach events and educational materials, outreach to students and professionals through social media enhancements, and better promote our valued Corporate Members.

If you membership is active, the increased dues will go into effect when you renew next year.

If your membership expired, we encourage you to renew your membership today, before the dues increase.

Membership Information

2024-2025 Annual Report

Click the image to view the slides

Congratulations New Officers

2025-2026

President: Donn Silberman

Vice President: Lisa Belodoff

Secretary: Cecily Brown

Treasurer: Steven Dang

Councilors

McGuire Herbert

Martin Hagenbuechle

Jack Latchinian

Officers were elected during the June 11, 2025, Annual Business Meeting and began their terms of office on July 1

Visit our Leadership Team webpage to see all our OSSC Volunteer Leaders.

The OSSC Leadership Team meets periodically to plan events and manage Society business. The Leadership Team would would love your help! Contact OSSC President Donn Silberman to discuss how we can best put your talent, interests, and skills to use.

The Programs & Arrangements Committee is open to members who want to help plan and manage our regular meetings and events. If you have an idea for a speaker or event, please contact OSSC Programs Chair Stefan Forschner.

The Website, Communications & Newsletter Team is open to members who want to share Society knowledge and activities via our website, emails, and social media. If you would like to help, please contact OSSC Webmaster Bob Cartland or OSSC Communications Chair Cecily Brown.

The Membership & Finance Committees welcomes members to help recruit and keep track of our OSSC Members of all levels and to keep track of our finances. Contact Donn Silberman to learn more.

Learn More

Society News

Images, The OSSC Newsletter, includes Society news, events, technical articles, and the occasional optrick (ways to have fun with light). Recent issues are viewable on our Newsletter Page.

OSSC members may access over 200 pdf editions in our Newsletter Archive. Select articles are also available on our Society News page.

If you have a short article you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please email the editor. Corporate Members are encouraged to submit profiles, news, workshops or other events.

Professional Education Opportunities

UC Irvine

Part-Time Instructor: Optical Engineering and Optical Instrument Design

Summer 2025 courses begin in June.

Optical Instrument Design

The above courses are part of Certificate Programs in:
Optical Engineering & Optical Instrument Design

Additional Information

Pasadena City College

Laser Technology Program

Students completing the program in Laser Technology will learn the scientific principles of optics, fiber-optics, and lasers. Laser and Photonics Technology instructors lead hands-on, laboratory-driven classes, utilizing state-of-the-art industrial equipment, based on the industry-guided photonics curricula written by industry professionals. In addition to laboratory skills, students are offered one-on-one support and career advice, including résumé and LinkedIn profile building.

A new LaserTech student cohort starts in the Fall 2025 semester.

Additional Information Contact:

Prof. Brian Monacelli, Ph. D.

Most of the course materials are available for use as OER (Open Educational Resources) by contacting Dr. Brian Monacelli directly at BMonacelli@Pasadena.edu

Professional Education Page

OSSC Corporate Member Vital Link has apprenticeship opportunities as well as the ability to coordinate apprenticeships for interested companies.

You can learn more about apprenticeship programs

on the Vital Link website

Apprenticeships

OSSC Corporate Members and Website Sponsors can request information

directly from Vital Link by using their on-line form

Apprenticeship Interest Form