December 2010 Board Minutes Wick Alumni Center
Members Present: Kay Rockwell, Tice Miller, Delivee Wright, Bob Kuzelka, Dan Wheeler, Mel Thornton, Herb Howe, Jack Goebel, Bob Diffendal, Jim McShane, Agnes Adams, Jerry Petr, Lowell Moser, and Jim Kendrick
11:30 am Buffet lunch was served.
12:00 noon The Business Meeting was called to order by Herb Howe, out going Emeriti Association President.
1. Bob Kuzelka was introduced as the newly elected Board Member to replace Kay Rockwell who is completing her term. Herb thanked Kay for her contributions to the organization and especially for leading the New Faculty Coffee program.
2. Memory Moments: Jane Davidson, spouse of Professor John Davidson, Botany.
3. Minutes of the November 2, 2010, Board Meeting have been posted; approved as posted. Jim Kendrick informed us that with computer system transitions, our web site information since May 2010 has disappeared. He is looking into correcting this.
4. Agnes Adams, Treasurer reported the balance in checking is $5195 with $3000 of that being sent to the NU Foundation for Life Membership contributions to the Wisherd Fund. She will update the full report on the web site. Since time is running out for current Life Membership rates, they still can be sent to Agnes Adams, 822 Dale Drive, Lincoln, NE 58410. Agnes further explained the processes used in managing the Emeriti Association accounts.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Wisherd Fund Chair, Bob Diffendal, read a letter from Barbara Ravnan, Music, who had received a $1000 grant to preserve Audun Ravnans music performances from older forms of media to compact discs; this is an ongoing project.
Bob reported that two applications had been received for Research and Creative Awards. Both were recommended for funding by the Wisherd Committee that also includes Jim Carr and Ron Case. The Board voted unanimously to approve the two proposals as follows:
a. Kay Rockwell, Study Tour of the Ukraine. $1000
b. Ben Rader, Production of a Book. $1000
Bob will not continue as Chair of the Wisherd Committee; however, he is willing to serve on it. Dan Wheeler, the incoming President, will appoint a new Chair. Bob was thanked for his service as Chair.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Listserve Policy. After considerable discussion, a suggested clarification of policy on the use of the Emeriti Association member listserve was amended as follows: Use of the Emeriti Associations listserves shall be restricted to official Association business. The only exceptions must be approved by three of the five Association officers. Bob Diffendal moved, and Herb Howe seconded the motion to approve this wording. The motion passed unanimously.
2, Lowell Moser, outgoing Past President was thanked for his leadership and for the mentoring he provided over the past several years. He was urged to keep connected.
RETREAT TOPICS
Dan Wheeler, incoming President, led discussions of the following retreat topics:
1. Survey Results. Review and discussion of survey results indicated that those who participate in our monthly meetings tend to be happy with the food arrangements, the programs, and the Tuesday/Thursday split of meeting times.
A discussion of the characteristics of the membership indicated that about half are not in commuting distance of Lincoln, others do not communicate with email, and others have personal situations that do not allow participation. It would be helpful to have more demographic information about those who participate such as age, years retired, and disciplines represented.
2. Program for 2011.
a. The President-Elect, Jack Goebel, chairs the program committee. They need to plan three meetings per semester. Schedules of both Emeriti Board Meeting and Program Meeting dates were distributed.
In 2011, the Board will meet January 11, February 15, March 8, April 12, May 3, September 13, October 11, November 8, and December 6 (retreat).
In 2011, the Program Meetings with lunches will be: January 18, February 17, March 15, April 21, September 20, October 20, and November 15.
In addition, the NU Presidential Luncheon for Retirees will be in May (TBA), and the NU Foundation Luncheon for UNL Emeriti will be in September (TBA).
b. Tour ideas were suggested for additional activities involving perhaps 12-15 people per tour included:
New Physics Building
Tractor Testing Laboratory
Robert Knoll Residence Hall
Book Depository
Keim Hall Green Remodel
Dental Museum (during Dental week)
Small Furniture exhibit
c. Other possible activities suggested were:
Dinner events or nights out
Performing arts activities in conjunction with upcoming events (i.e., musical)
Informal breakfast gatherings
Sports person combined with training table lunch.
Service Programs/activities that Emeriti are engaged in.
Continue Emeriti Coffees monthly
Speakers from Facilities Management on new plans and developments.
Speaker on Innovation Campus and progress.
It was noted that these ideas require work to implement and require contributions from us.
In the future we will pilot and track specific attendance at the new events (breakfasts, tours etc.) to see if we are attracting different people.
Orientation of New Emeriti
It is estimated that sixty to ninety new Emeriti would be retiring as a result of the Buy-Out program in 2011. We need to identify those who are eligible for the Emeriti Association and engage in the pre-retirement information sessions as well as providing a special orientation.
Wisherd Fund.
Chair, Bob Diffendal, reported that Professor Case, member of the Wisherd Committee along with Jim Carr, recommended that the Board increase the amount of grants from $1000 to $2000. After discussion of the variability of resources for this purpose, it was suggested that the Committee prioritize the proposals they receive, and that they have budget guides for this. Bob Diffendal moved and Jim McShane seconded a motion to offer Wisherd grants up to $2000 in 2011.
The motion was passed by a majority vote.
New Emeriti Considerations
a. Waiver of annual dues for the first year should be continued.
b. A letter needs to go to department Chairs reminding them that they need toindicate on the retirement PAF that the faculty member is eligible for Emeriti Status. This is a source of information for the Emeriti Association.
c. Brochures are being updated by Member Relations Chair, Tice Miller, for distribution to the new Emeriti. This goes with a letter informing them of the Complementary Member Year. It was also suggested that we hold an event in the Spring for those expecting to retire and we personalize the invitations with emphasis on areas that are now poorly represented among active members.
d. It was decided to continue giving a complementary OLLI membership the first year as long as funds already allocated last.
Oral History Project
Tice Miller reported that 12 Emeriti had been interviewed on video over four days last Spring/Summer. Interviewers included Tice Miller, Lowell Moser, and Del Wright and Jim Kendrick did all videotaping. Tice has discussed the program with Joy Grabill, Librarian, and the Library is very much interested in making them accessible. Our web site could be linked to the Librarys site for viewing. More committee members are needed to do a larger number of Emeriti and a working schedule. Dan Wheeler volunteered to interview.
Tice recommended doing at least one day of four per month. Interview questions are similar to those used at Indiana University on a similar project.
We could use a demonstration video and a selection process. We could invite ideas/volunteers at the January meeting.
Service Project
Herb Howe suggested a project parallel to Emeriti in Action that would showcase the volunteer and service activities of Emeriti.
On April 9th, the UNL campus will be involved in the Big Event that involves students and faculty in Volunteer Projects in the Community. We could participate in that effort for a day or half-day. The concept was received positively, with a suggestion that we explore possible ways the talents of Emeriti could best be of service. Herb will look into possibilities.
AROHE/Big Ten Emeriti AssociationThe UNL Emeriti has sent representatives to three AROHE meetings that included eighty universities (four Big Ten included), had a national web site, and had dues of $100/year.
We will be automatically invited to join the Big Ten Emeriti Group that varies greatly by campus, from no activity to all retirees to just Emeriti. They hold annual meetings that rotate among campuses, have a web site at Michigan University, and no dues.
It was suggested that we send two/three representatives; both someone who has attended AROHE and someone in future leadership (Jack Goebel) to the August 11, 2011, Big Ten Conference and see if we wish to hold membership in one or both organizations.
Ideas for Future
Dan Wheeler invited ideas for replacing Bob Diffendal as Chair of the Wisherd Committee (he will continue on the committee), and for an assistant to Jim Kendrick for the Web Site. Max Clegg might be a possibility.
Meeting Adjourned: 3:18 pm.