February 2005 Board Minutes

February 2005 Board Minutes Piedmont Sunrise Coffee Shop

Members Present: Don Edwards, Wilma Crumley, Walter Mientka, Lee Jones, Dan Lutz, Ted Hartung, Delivee Wright, Jerry Petr, Francis Haskins

President Edwards opened the meeting at 1:35 p.m. Minutes of the December 2, 2004 board meeting were approved as submitted.

The status of an updated Assnociation. roster, including paid (annual and life), unpaid and all zipcode addresses was discussed. Lutz said the roster should be ready soon. The format for distribution, at least to officers and board members, was discussed, with possibilities hard copy, via e-mail or CD. The options will be checked out.

With assistant secretary Jack Botts declining to be nominated for another term, a search is underway for a replacement. Lutz reported a number of prospects have been suggested with contacts yet to be made.

Treasurer's report: Mientka reported $2,204.08 in the Emeriti Assn. checking account as of Feb. 3, 2005. Membership dues were received from 55 Emeriti, including $320 in additional contributions. The Wisherd Fund balance was $54,966.83, with $29,596.71 in spendable earnings. Report accepted as submitted.

A question was raised as to whether association dues could be declared tax-deductible. This question was not readily answered, although the association is a non-profit organization. It was pointed out that monetary gifts to the Wisherd Fund should be classified differently, since the Fund is under the umbrella of the NU Foundation.

The need to revise and re-issue an association membership brochure was suggested. After some discussion, a motion made and seconded at the December board meeting, to increase lifetime dues from $50 to $100 and offered as an option for membership, was tabled until next month, with a decision to be made regarding the breakdown of dues at that level as to what portions would go to the Association for ongoing operation and to the Wisherd Fund.

Committee reports:

Benefits - Francis Haskins. No new business to report.
Maude Wisherd Fund - Lee Jones. Only one application received from a member in regard to medical financial aid.
Membership - Richard Boohar not present.
Nominating - Ted Hartung. Process to start later.
By-laws (ad hoc committee) - Gwen Newkirk not present.
Courtesy - Delivee Wright. Continuing need to be informed of members eligible to receive baskets. Two Emeriti received baskets for their birthdays during the past month.
On-line communications (ad hoc committee) - Jim Kendrick not present.

A question was asked as to whether it would be timely and appropriate to contact Chancellor Perlman in regard to possibly reinstating some subsidy funding from his office for the Association, given an apparently more favorable picture on state financial support for UNL. It was noted that the budget process is lengthy, and it would be premature to contact Perlman at this time.

A question was raised as to what components of the Emeriti membership would be included in a mailing prior to the February meeting. The need to repeat, a second time, the need for non-paying members to send in dues was cited. The secretary was instructed to prepare a mailing to include minutes of the January membership meeting, schedule for February and subsequent monthly meetings, and a reminder to delinquent members to submit dues. Petr requested that a short notice on upcoming OLLI class schedules be included. Affirmed.

A question was raised as to the need for an annual budget as a guide for expenditures in 2005. Mientka said a draft budget would be prepared for consideration by the board.

The continuing concern regarding proportionally light attendanceat monthly meetings by Lincoln and nearby Emeriti residents was discussed. Lutz raised the possibility of a questionnaire to be sent to Emeriti with Lincoln area zipcode addresses to identify what factors influence attendance or non-attendance at meetings. These might include the need for transportation or the draw/appeal of specific programs. Previous efforts to organize and promote car-pooling were cited.

Reminder: February 17, East Campus Union, program topic: "NU Foundation Update and Recent Gifts Received for Programs and Facilities at UNL," speaker, Tracy Edgerton, Assistant Vice President, Planned Giving.

Next board meeting: 1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the Piedmont Sunrise Coffee Shop

There being no further old, new or unfinished business, the meeting was adjourned.

Submitted By: Dan B. Lutz, Secretary