January 2010 Board Minutes Steinhart Room, Wick Alumni Center
Members Present: Agnes Adams, Jim Carr, John Goebel, Jim Kendrick, Tice Miller, Lowell Moser, Kay Rockwell, Dan Wheeler, and Delivee Wright.
President Herb Howe called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. at the Wick Alumni Center.Andrea Cranford, representing the UNL Alumni Association, distributed the new issue of Nebraska Magazine and reported on recent activities including UNL Alumni gatherings at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. A request for volunteers for this week at the Wick Center reception desk only had one positive response. We need to do better. The February 15th issue of “Good News” will have an article on the Emeriti.
Memory Moments names were reviewed with obituaries since last meeting including:
Prof. Shirley Kreutz-Bennett, Home Economics Education; Prof. James Fejfar, Curriculum and Instruction; Prof. Robert W. Harris, Chemistry; Prof. Robert W. Kleis, Biosystems Engineering; and Prof. Dale Marsh Mesner, Mathematics. Other additions should be sent to Herb Howe hhowe1@unl.edu.
The treasurer’s report was postponed until next month when the year-end and transition expenses will be included.
Old Business
1. Wisherd Fund- The Executive Committee, with input from the NU Foundation’s general counsel, will review past materials to clarify who is eligible for application to the Wisherd Fund for grants.
2. Emeriti in Action Project - Bob Fuller, Chair, has a list of contributors and will follow up with them as materials need to be in hand by March 1, 2010.
3. Oral History Project – Lowell Moser is doing the Agronomy Oral History Project and will observe useful processes for the purpose of planning our processes. A list of professors to interview is needed as well as expediting interviews of those who are aging.
New Business
1. The January 19th Luncheon honoring New Emeriti will be held in the Champions Club. A list of new professors was circulated and Board members identified people to contact individually. Board members will serve as hosts at each table. Wine and cheese will be served at 11:00 am with lunch being served at 11:30 am. Following lunch, each new Emeriti and guest will be introduced by their hosts.
2. Programs for spring semester cards were mailed today and Vice-President Dan Wheeler reviewed them as follows:
January 18 -Welcoming Luncheon for New UNL Emeriti 11:00, Champions Club.
Wine and cheese reception at the Champions Club followed by luncheon and a presentation by Attorney John McHenry: Legal Documents for Seniors—It's not just a will. A packet will be provided for new Emeriti and Kay Rockwell will introduce the New Emeriti Coffees. Reservations for the luncheon ($5 per person except for new emeriti and a guest) should be made by Thursday, January 14, with Dan Wheeler. <DWheeler1@unl.edu>
Third Thursday, February 18:
"New Places, New People - New Perspectives: Travel with Exploritas" (formerly ElderHostel), Jerry & Mary Ann Petr, Business Meeting to follow.
Third Tuesday, March 16:
"Hospice Care: What it Is and What it Isn't," Gayle Gengenback, Tabitha Hospice Administrator, Business Meeting to follow.
Fourth Thursday, April 22:
"Spring Has Sprung!" Kim Todd, Moderator Backyard Farmer & UNL Faculty Member, Business Meeting to follow.
May – President’s Luncheon for Retirees– date to be determined.
Committee Reports
1. Benefits – John Goebel – Nothing new to report.
2. Wisherd – no report until February.
3. Membership – In his absence, Mel Thornton sent a report as follows:
226 annual members; 1 collegial member; 147 life members; 135 Surviving spouse/partner members; 259 inactive emeriti; 796 total on data base.
4. Member Relations – Tice Miller circulated a revised brochure for feedback. It will be included in the new member packets. He requested that we get new photos at the January luncheon for future inclusion.
Kay Rockwell led a discussion concerning the New Emeriti Coffees and how to focus on the new members. It was decided that they should be continued with review in the fall to see if they are still meeting the purpose of engaging new emeriti.
Name tags on neck lanyards were suggested for meetings so they could be worn/collected each time. This would facilitate social interaction. If they are reasonably priced we should proceed with this idea.
5. Jim Kendrick reported on the web site and the variety and number of “hits” that it has had in the past month.
The meeting adjourned at 2:00 pm.