September 2009 Board Minutes Steinhart Room, Wick Alumni Center
Members Present: Jim Kendrick, Tice Miller, Delivee Wright, Herb Howe, Max Clegg, Jim Carr, Bob Fuller, Kay Rockwell, Walter Mientka, Dan Lutz
President Lowell Moser called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. at the Wick Alumni Center. Directors and officers present.
The minutes of the May board meeting were approved without change.
The treasurer’s report for August 1 – August 31 was distributed by Treasurer Mientka. The checkbook balance as of August 31 was $1,206.90. Mientka reviewed the proposed 2009 budget along with a summary of expenditures to alert the Board that we have overspent in at least one category associated with our projections. In addition, a printing bill for the fall mailing received in September will reduce the balance to an even lower level. As a consequence, sooner than expected, he will have to proceed with the process to transfer $4000 from our Foundation spendable earnings to our operation account. Mientka reported that there may be possible changes relating to the UNL Alumni Association handling of the Emeriti Assn. account. It is suggested that when our finances are handled through the UNL Alumni Association that the title of treasurer be changed to financial secretary. Also suggested is a petty cash category may be necessary which would contain small amounts of income and expense. Mientka said a specific proposal would be unveiled this fall.
It was reported that the Collegial Membership proposal will be voted on at the September 24 Emeriti Assn. membership meeting. An e-mail message will be sent on September 17 to 795 individuals on the Emeriti Assn. listserv, giving the opportunity for a vote via computer. Electronic voting will end September 23.
President Moser reported on the Association’s effort to underwrite the cost of a headstone, now lacking, at the location in Wyuka Cemetery where Zelma Wisherd is buried. The Emeriti Assn. seeks to solicit contributions from members to pay the $695 cost for a headstone. Members are encouraged to send a check payable to the UNL Alumni Association with the amount designated for the Zelma Wisherd Memorial Fund. Addressed envelopes were distributed to those present. It is clear that no funding for the headstone can come from the Wisherd Fund maintained within the Emeriti Assn.
Bob Fuller presented the “Emeriti in Action Project Report,” in which the Association, in cooperation with UNL Libraries, will host a library exhibit in the spring of 2010. The exhibit will display activities carried out by UNL Emeriti since they achieved Emerita/us status. Each display will feature an article resulting from an Emerita/us activity, and may include works of art and handicrafts and photographs. A short paragraph will summarize a short background sketch of the Emerita/us who produced the article.
Coordinator of the project is Robert Fuller, past Emeriti Assn. president, who can be reached at (402) 430-8310, or e-mail rfuller@neb.rr.com Display cases will be set up at Love Library next spring, with the project in place until the end of May.
It was noted that few people look closely at library displays. Students more often look at something presented electronically. It was recommended that the displays be shared through the library website. It was suggested that new display cases be titled for Zelma and Maude Wisherd. To aid in financing, it was suggested by Mientka and Howe to pursue a proposal to the NU Foundation for a $4,000 from the spendable money in the Wisherd Fund. It was moved by Fuller, seconded by Carr, to accept such a proposal. Carried.
Oral history project: Moser said two projects are in progress, to be critiqued and proceed from there.
New Business
A slate of 2010 officer candidates was prepared by the Nominations Committee and announced to the Board. Candidates are Dan Wheeler for president-elect and Jerry Petr as a director. These names will be presented to the Membership at the September 24 meeting. Any additional nominations must be made by the October membership meeting, with a vote on the final slate at the November meeting.
Howe said the fall meeting program schedule would be announced on the internet.
The Emeriti Assn. brochure created 2 ½ years ago needs to be revised. Moser and Miller will work on revising the brochure, including changing the typeface.
The CASNR Alumni Chapter requested for e-mails for CASNR Emeriti who now are honorary members of the CASNR chapter. It was suggested that we e-mail CASNR emeriti first to see if anyone objects before giving the chapter the e-mail addresses.
Kendrick gave a short report on the Emeriti Assn. website. He said the number of visitors to the website is increasing. Many visits are from Emeriti residing in foreign countries.
Kay Rockwell gave a brief report on new membership coffees; very successful series, more will be scheduled going into fall. A schedule of coffees is posted on our website.
Membership Committee: Thornton absent from meeting but submitted the following report. Current membership consists of 209 Annual members, 142 Life members, 29 new “09 members, 20 ’10 members, 130 spousal members, 265 potential members, which accounts for the 795 names on our data base.
Benefits Committee: Goebel absent from meeting; no report submitted.
Jim McShane was absent but sent a report on Senate activities. The submission of the Ayers report has been delayed until October. McShane is on the committee charged with preparation of the report.
There being no further unfinished or new business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 3 p.m.