March 2009 Board Minutes Wick Alumni Center
Members Present: Tice Miller, Kay Rockwell, Herb Howe, Jim Kendrick, Max Clegg, Walter Mientka, Bob Fuller, Jim McShane, Jim Carr, Dan Lutz
President Moser called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. Directors and officers present.Tice Miller was introduced as the new Member Relations Committee Chair and welcomed to the board.
Two staff members of the UNL Alumni Assn., Bob Stelter, Program Director, and Amy Castro, Asst. Program Director/Student Programs, spoke to the board regarding a proposed project involving the Emeriti Assn. The Alumni Engagement Committee, charged with contacting students interested in enrolling at UNL, has the opportunity for Emeriti to volunteer for the “Postcards of Pride” project, in which prospective students are contacted personally with a University postcard.. A total of 150 volunteers are needed. A goal is to send out 3,000 postcards to students who have been admitted to the university but have not yet enrolled. Emeriti would be encouraged to send out cards relating to their academic specialty, if the student's study program has not been declared. An Emeritus/Emerita would send out a packet of 10 postcards. It is hoped to expand the postcard activity beyond Emeriti in the Lincoln area. Further details were noted. By consensus, the board agreed to bring the matter to the attention of the membership when the Alumni Association had an overload of postcards to send.
Report on Alumni Assn./Emeriti Assn. meeting: The board was reminded that the Emeriti Assn. is an affiliate of the Alumni Assn, so we are covered by their insurance.. The two associations and OLLI should meet in the future to discuss cooperative travel activities and other potentially joint activities. It would be good to invite the Alumni Assn. to have a staff person stop by at our monthly meetings. The Alumni Association and, consequently, our budget goes through the NU Foundation.
The treasurer's report submitted by Walter Mientka was accepted. The minutes of the February 3 board meeting were approved as submitted.
Old business: Finalizing procedure for electronic voting:
The recommendation was confirmed that an electronic ballot be used for all future votes for officers and directors of the Association and on changes to the Association's constitution and by-laws. A change was approved in Article VI, Election of Vice President/President-Elect and a Director at each November membership meeting. Nominations for these positions would be presented at the Emeriti Assn. September meeting and members are urged to seek additional nominations for either or both offices. Such additional nominations would be presented to the Emeriti Assn. board of directors at its October meeting. Candidates would be elected by written or electronic ballot. The proposed new electronic voting procedure would be noted on the postcard going to greater Lincoln area Emeriti regarding the March membership meeting. Two other proposed amendments to the by-laws--collegial membership and flexibility in officer elections--will be voted on at a later time. Announcement of a tour of the Temple Building on April 9 at 3:30 p.m. will also be included on the card. It was announced that the East Campus Union will not be available for the April 21 meeting. It was proposed that the meeting be held at the Champions Club and and $5 charge per person be charged rather than the normal $4.. Moved by Fuller, seconded by Miller, approved.
The schedule of upcoming monthly membership meetings: Foundation Luncheon--September 10; regular membership meetings: September 24, October 20, November 19. Board meetings continue on first Tuesday of a month. Howe said postcards would not be mailed out to members regarding upcoming meetings following the current mailing for March because of the significant expense. Notices of future meetings will be sent to members via e-mail.
McShane reported on behalf of the Wisherd Fund Awards Committee. He indicated that two awards had been made for research-related activities and one for a medical supplement request. He requested that a slot be included on the website for Wished Fund developments other than the approved awards. There would be two separate tabs on the website: Wisherd Fund and Wisherd Awards Committee.
McShane also discussed the proposed Oral History report. McShane had no report/update on the Faculty Senate.
The board briefly discussed identifying someone to write a history of the Emeriti Assn.
Committee reports:
Benefits: Goebel not present.
Membership: Thornton not present.
Website: Kendrick: Monthly Committee Reports are posted on the Website.
Membership Relations – Kay Rockwell. Reported on a very successful New Emeriti Coffee. Next session will be at Jones Coffee, 727 South 11th St., March 23.
There being no unfinished or new business, the meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m.