April 2006 Board Minutes UNL East Campus Union
Members Present: Dan Lutz, Jack Goebel, Howard Ottoson, Delivee Wright, Robert Fuller, Walter Mientka, Don Edwards, Max Clegg, Dick Boohar, Jim Kendrick, Jim McShane
President Irv Omtvedt called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
The first item on the agenda was for approval of the minutes of the March 16 membership meeting and the March 7 and February 7 board meetings. The policy was reiterated that any changes approved by the board would result in corrections being made before the upcoming membership meeting.
After brief discussion, it was moved by Edwards, seconded by Boohar, that the drafts of the February and March board meetings be approved. Carried.
The treasurer’s report for the period March 1-31, 2006 was presented. Highlights included: Maude Wisherd Fund—book value: $55,066.83; spendable earnings--$30,454.77; market value--$160,546.
Association income--$5,370.36. Expenses--$75.97. Checking balance--$5,294.39. Treasurer Mientka defined book value as the amount deposited in the Foundation by the Emeriti Assn. 20 years ago and added deposits over the year. Market value is the financial worth of the investment today.
Benefits Committee: No report per se. Will be checking on benefits accruing to those enrolled in the UNL health program and changes that have occurred.
Membership committee: Efforts continue to keep Emeriti mailing addresses up to date. Boohar stated that all mailings originated by the committee would be postage-paid (not under permit), thus increasing expenses. The committee will check with UNL departments and academic units periodically to identify new Emeriti and the whereabouts of Emeriti whose mailing addresses are inaccurate/out of date. It was suggested that the Chancellor’s office might be willing to check with departments to obtain up-to-date information on new and present Emeriti. Information in WORD format would be sent to Boohar
Kendrick urged that Emeriti who are not members of the Association should receive communications from the Member Relations Committee. Members in good standing in 2005 but who have not paid dues in 2006 should get a letter urging submission of dues.
Other lists constructed and maintained by the Member Relations Committee would be non-members, life members, widows and widowers (not solicited for dues), and honorary life members.
Regarding a proposed letter drafted by treasurer Mientka to go to all members of the Association along with a membership response form, Clegg will take the cover letter to and arrange with UNL printing-mailing services for processing and mailing. He will keep secretary Lutz informed if his assistance is needed.
Gwen Newkirk wrote a letter suggesting that the Association consider compilation of a permanent history encompassing past and present Emeriti. Regarding a suggestion that a permanent Emeriti database be constructed, including members through the years since the inception of the Emeriti designation process, McShane said he would check with the UNL administration regarding the availability of records from 1998 on which would include all designated Emeriti—past and present.
The issue of a need by the Association to establish official archives was discussed. One challenge is a space capable of storing a large volume of information in various forms. It was noted that former space allocated to the Association in the Wick Center was closed out by the Alumni Association. The possibility was broached of the UNL library being a depository for Association documents. It was suggested that Omtvedt explore this possibility with the UNL Archives Director.
Regarding the needed support for a UNL-wide event recognizing newly-designated Emeriti, Omtvedt suggested that John Owens, Vice Chancellor for IANR, be requested to visit with Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Barbara Couture to elicit a response
The need was reiterated for the availability of a new, updated UNL Emeriti Association brochure, particularly for the benefit of newly designated Emeriti. The Member Relations Committee will ask, during the April membership meeting, for volunteers with the needed skills to assist with the project.
Gwen Newkirk forwarded request that the Association maintain sympathy card stock to send to the family/survivors of deceased Emeriti or spouses. Delivee Wright will work with Max Clegg to create sympathy card stock; already have supply for courtesy situations.
Maude Wisherd Committee: report included within treasurer’s report.
Jim Kendrick, website committee chair, reported on website statistics (January through March 2006) to the board. A total of 224 visitors accessed the website during the 3-month period, viewing 3,970 pages. Visitors were noted from Romania, Canada and the Ukraine.
The Look & Listen tab permits Emeriti to see and hear speakers who addressed Association meetings.
Two techniques---Streaming and Podcasting—were added during the quarter. Streaming allows watching speakers while at the computer and connected to the Internet; video podcasting involves a file downloaded from the Internet and then placed on a portable device about the size of a small cell phone. This latter technology permits viewing a speaker at a time and location chosen by the computer user.
Kendrick emphasized that persons 35 years or under have shifted times and location in regard to accessing information. UNL and Stanford University use podcasting in classroom instruction. As an example of the shift to podcasting, he said, it is ABC News Now, not “Nightly News.”
Some UNL classes this fall will be delivered by podcasting, including Backyard Farmer and Market Journal. Only three other Emeriti association websites in the U.S., in addition to UNL, have any content, i.e., (current minutes, calendar, etc.). However, the UNL Emeriti website is the only one with video streaming and video podcasting, Kendrick noted. The new technology is key to participation in the future by current 35-year-olds and up who become eligible for Emeriti status, he added. The new technologies, as shown by the 2006 first quarter statistics, confirm the value of the UNL Emeriti Assn.’s ability to convey information by streaming and podcasting, Kendrick stated.
Keeping the timetable for future membership meetings as 12:00 noon for the guest program presentation and 1 p.m. for the Association’s business meeting was discussed. However, a motion was made by Mientka, seconded by Edwards, to schedule the business meeting first (12:00 noon) and then the presentation, which would allow it to be more open-ended before conclusion. It was noted that the next meeting per se would not be until October; the May meeting (time and location to be announced) is the traditional NU President’s luncheon for Emeriti and university faculty retirees. Mientka suggested discussion regarding possible different locations for meetings, now held exclusively on East Campus. After some discussion, the Mientka motion with Edwards’ second was withdrawn.
Regarding establishment of Emeriti Assn. Archives, it was moved by Fuller, seconded by Edwards, to seek formal approval at the next board meeting following investigation of a possible site. Carried.
Kendrick expressed strong concern that less than 10 percent of newly-designated new Emeriti join and maintain membership in the Association. A bleak future looms for the Association, he stated, with the number of deaths of present Emeriti exceeding that of new members. McShane commented that it would be desirable to request “exit interviews” with faculty retiring from UNL. This would give the Emeriti Assn. access to such individuals at a time to encourage membership. And the results would be useful to campus leadership as a means of assessing the morale of departing staff, especially among senior faculty.
There being no further old, unfinished or new business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.