January 2008 Board Minutes

January 2008 Board Minutes Wick Alumni Center

Members Present: Walter Mientka, Max Clegg, R. Gene White, Kay Rockwell, Herb Howe, Howard Ottoson, John Goebel, Lowell Moser, Jim Kendrick, Rose Marie Tondl, Delivee Wright, Dan Lutz.
Association president Robert Fuller called the meeting to order at 1 p.m.

The minutes of the December 4, 2007 board meeting, the treasurer’s report for December 1-31, 2007 and the 2007 income and expense analysis were accepted as presented.

The following motion was presented by Mientka for board consideration: Emeriti Assn. life membership dues would be deposited in the Emeriti Assn. bank account to contribute to its total so that when fitting, a portion can be used to purchase an interest-bearing account or certificates of deposit.

Moved for approval by Rockwell, seconded by Tondl, carried.

Committee reports

Benefits Committee--Jack Goebel, chair: Information packets are being prepared for the new members of the Emeriti Assn. (32 in the year 2007). Included is information explaining advantages accrued in being members of the Emeriti Assn., and where applicable, the UNL Alumni Assn. A listing of UNL Emeriti benefits and UNL Emeriti Assn. benefits was distributed. Two listed benefits accorded by UNL to Emeriti were transferred to the listing of UNL Emeriti Assn. benefits: in brief: applications for financial support from the Maude E. Wisherd Fund, and “surviving spouses of UNL Emeriti are honorary life members of the UNL Emeriti Assn.”

The question was raised as to a need to update the Emeriti Assn. brochure. Discussion at the meeting, and subsequent e-mails opined that there is not a current need for an update.

Maude Wisherd Committee: Chairman Jim McShane was not present.

Membership Committee—Mel Thornton, chair. The membership list breakdown: 664 names on list. Life members—149; annual members—211 (total paid—136); new members—31; widows—95. Non-members—178. Of paid members, 113 are paid through 2008, seven each for 2009, 2010 and 211, and two through 2012.

Membership Relations—Gene White. There is a need for a chairperson for the Courtesy Committee.

The possibility of sponsoring Emeriti Assn. scholarships was discussed briefly and removed as an agenda item.

Website Committee—Jim Kendrick. Due to computer-related problems no formal report was given regarding various types of “hits” on the Emeriti Assn. website. He said names of new members are posted on the web four times a year.

New Emeriti Luncheon at Champions Club January 17. Fuller reported that only eight of 31 newly-designated Emeriti have responded as to whether they plan to attend. (The total rose to 15 after the meeting, and calls were being made to non-respondents). Principal officers of the Association—Fuller, Ottoson, Moser, Mientka and Lutz--are asked to attend and act as individual table hosts and to introduce new Emeriti as guests. Kay Rockwell will present the Newcomers program plans. Gene White, Member Relations chair, will offer a welcome. Mientka will staff an entry table and welcome persons as they arrive. Five administration guests will be present, including Alumni. Assn. interim director O’Hanlon and OLLI director Dee Aguilar.

Kay Rockwell presented a proposed format and goals for Newcomer Emeriti Connections.

The two-fold purpose:

--To renew relationships with spouse, partner, significant other, special associate, with colleagues at the same significant life-changing stage.

--To encourage support for the UNL Emeriti Assn.

Eligible participants: Emeriti within the first two or three years of the significant life-changing event.

Dues: none.

Leadership for NEC: board member on the Membership Relations Committee.

A lengthy list of planned activities, impromptu socials, such as dinner/movies, home-based food events. Tailgate parties and attractions in Nebraska and beyond. A complete listing may be obtained.

President Milliken will host the NU Retiree luncheon on May 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln Put this date on your calendar.

Dates and speakers of upcoming membership meetings reported by Lowell Moser: (Meetings at East Campus Union unless specified otherwise).

January 22 – “Most Famous Scientific Formula of All Time,” Greg Snow, UNL Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy.

February 19 – “Willa Cather—Words to Her Brother” Joan Barnes and Andrew Jewell, editor of the Willa Cather on-line resource, will present a program on the Roscoe and Meta Cather collection of letters donated to UNL last year.

March 18 – “The Digital Commons.” Paul Royster will describe what is available to Emeriti and will indicate how faculty can add to and access the digital archives of the university.

April 15 – A curator-led tour of the International Quilt Center at its location at 33rd & Holdrege St., and view the open exhibition, “Quilts in Common.”

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

Submitted By: Dan B. Lutz, Secretary