December 2017 Board Minutes

Members Present: Nancy Aden, John Bernthal, Pat Crews, Duane Eversoll, Jim Griesen, Earl Hawkey, Julie Johnson, Doug Jose, Rita Kean, Jeff Keown, Roger Kirby, Kay Rockwell, Jack Schinstock, Vi Schroeder, Al Seagren, Don Weeks, Doug Zatechka

3. Membership. Roger Kirby sent out 284 emails requesting dues payment for membership. He will send a similar snail mail letter to those without email addresses (total 26). He will send a second notice mailing in mid to late January to those who have not responded. He has already received 14 responses, and received two more at the board meeting.

4. Benefits. Doug Zatechka distributed a new listing of emeriti and retiree benefits.  Benefits are listed under four categories: 1) association benefits for all members, 2) university benefits available to all members, 3) emeriti benefits granted by the Board of Regents, and 4) emeriti benefits offered by select UNL departments (changed from departments to units after discussion). There are two new benefits listed for all members, one added for Emeriti from select UNL units, and Doug will contact the Quilt Center to determine if yet another new benefit might be added. He also will contact Shelley Zaborowski at the Nebraska Alumni Association to determine if Nebraska Magazines will be provided to retirees as well as Emeriti.

Other changes made to the document after discussion include:

• Association Benefits for All Members #5—Add and retirees after Emeriti in line two.
• University Benefits Available to All Members #3—change can to may before renewed in line three
• Emeriti Benefits Offered by Select UNL Departments Headline—Change Departments to Units

The board thanked Doug for his tenacious work to bring the new benefits listings to completion, and Doug thanked President Johnson for her insight in dividing the benefits into four categories. The updated benefits listings will appear on the association’s website.

With completion of the updated benefits document, President Johnson announced that the Program of Work for 2017 was completed and thanked the board.

5. Awards. To begin discussion President Johnson presented possible language revisions for the Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity award.

• Giving opportunity for all dues paying members of the association (emeriti and retirees) to be eligible to submit an application
• Proposals should include other funding sources
• Executive Committee or Board (review policy) determine total dollars available annually.

Discussion followed with affirmative decisions on all three points above.

In addition, the application form must have the new name of the association and the maximum amount available to an individual in one year remains $2,000. Pat Crews will rewrite the application form for review at the January Executive Committee meeting on January 4, 2018.

Proposed Outstanding Volunteer Service to the University award. Jim Griesen provided a revised draft proposal explaining the purpose, eligibility and criteria, nomination process, and recognition process for the proposed award. Discussion followed resulting in:

• Change language regarding the contributions made in honor of the recipients approved at the November board meeting. Change from “contributions made in honor of each recipient to the Emergency Aid to Students program at UNL” to “contributions made in honor of each recipient to either the Emergency Aid to Students program at UNL or a nonprofit or charitable organization selected by the recipient. The choice between the two alternatives will be made by the recipient.” The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will be contacted to determine the official name of the Emergency Aid to Students program.
• A poll of board members was taken approving that the nominee must be a member of the association and self-nominations will not be accepted.
• The plans for developing guidelines and criteria for this award will be determined by the awards committee and presented to the Executive Committee at the January 4, 2018 meeting.

A motion was made by Jeff Keown and seconded by Don Weeks that the proposed award document for Outstanding Volunteer Service to the University be approved. Motion carried.

Proposed Outstanding Community Service award. Jim Griesen provided a draft proposal explaining the purpose, eligibility and criteria, nomination process, and recognition process for the proposed award. Discussion followed resulting in:

• Community service for local, not national or international, organizations will be recognized.
• Community service for religious organizations will not be recognized.
• Change language regarding the contributions made in honor of the recipients approved at the November board meeting. Change from “contributions made in honor of each recipient to the Emergency Aid to Students program at UNL” to “contributions made in honor of each recipient to either the Emergency Aid to Students program at UNL or a nonprofit or charitable organization selected by the recipient. The choice between the two alternatives will be made by the recipient.” The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will be contacted to determine the official name of the Emergency Aid to Students program.
• A poll of board members was taken approving that the nominee must be a member of the association and self-nominations will not be accepted.
• The plans for developing guidelines and criteria for this award will be determined by the awards committee and presented to the Executive Committee at the January 4, 2018 meeting.

A motion was made by Jim Griesen and seconded by Don Weeks that the proposed award document for Outstanding Community Service be approved. Motion carried.

Because of the addition of The Outstanding Volunteer Service to the University award and the Outstanding Community Service award, Al Seagren suggested more volunteers from the board would be needed to review applications for the two new awards this year. The selection committee for the Outstanding Volunteer Service to the University will be Jim Griesen and Don Weeks and for the Outstanding Community Service will be Vi Schroeder and Jack Schinstock.

6. Programs for 2018. Vice President Elect Jeff Keown announced the spring 2018 speakers/programs for general membership meetings.

• Thursday, January 18, UNL and Its Future. Dr. Donde A. Plowman, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Tuesday, February 20, Japanese American Internment and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kim Hachiya, retired from University Communications, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Tuesday, March 20, Drones and the First Amendment. Matt Waite, Professor of Practice, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Thursday, April 19, 21^st Century Technologies for Agricultural Production Systems. Dr. Joe Luck, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist for Precision Agrciulture, Biological Systems Engineering Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• May President’s Luncheon TBA

Keown is still in contact with Hudl and hopes they will be able to provide a fall program. A listing of potential program ideas suggested over the past year was distributed for future consideration.

Yellow cards announcing the spring programs have been mailed. All meetings will be held at the Nebraska East Union at 11:30am. Box lunches will be available for $16 each. Roger Kirby suggested yellow card information be sent via email in the future to those for whom the association has email addresses.

7. OLLI Partnership Proposal. President Johnson presented a proposal for a partnership between Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI at UNL) and the UNL Emeriti and Retirees Association. Proposal included:

• The two organizations cooperate on one or two OLLI course or events each program year
• OLLI will offer the courses or events to its own members under regular guidelines and cost
• OLLI will list the Emeriti and Retirees Association as a partner in an promotionall material for the courses or events
• UNL Emeriti and Retiree Association members would be permitted to enroll in the courses or events for the charged fee; they would not be required to be OLLI members
• UNL Emeriti and Retiree Association will publicize the co-sponsored courses or events to its members and will promote OLLI membership in its newsletter one or more times a year.

Pat Crews moved, Jeff Keown seconded that the OLLI Partnership Proposal be approved. Discussion followed. Motion carried. President Johnson will talk with OLLI coordinator Dee Aguilar about which classes or events will be chosen.

8. Treasurer’s Report and Budget. Earl Hawkey reported there was no November treasurer’s report as there has been no posting by the University Foundation. The association is, however, solvent.

Hawkey provided a comprehensive proposed budget for 2018 suggesting total income of $21,900 and total expenses of $17,808.  Discussion of the budget resulted in:

• Elimination of in-kind support from CEHS
• Elimination of mailing of yellow cards for fall programming
• Use of Wisherd Fund yearly spendable money for research and service to the university awards and UNL Emeriti and Retirees Fund for service to the community.
• No need for petty cash as the association has a checking account.

The revised budget was approved.

9. Newsletter Committee and Website Committee. President Johnson submitted a UNL Emeriti and Retirees Association Newsletter Committee Guide for board review. The guide provides a brief newsletter style guide, deadlines for newsletter copy and newsletter, guidelines for length of articles, and positions/responsibilities related to the newsletter. John Comer submitted an Emeriti and Retirees Webpage Information and Instructions document. Discussion followed regarding the contents of both documents, the name(s) of the committees, and the possibility of joining the two committees. It was Pat Crews moved, Jim Griesen seconded that the documents were useful both now and for the future, the name of the Newsletter Committee should be changed to the Publications Committee and the association bylaws should be changed to reflect the name change, and the two committees should both continue as part of the association structure. Motion carried.

10. By-laws Changes. Past President Jim Griesen has agreed to continue on the 2018 board to review and develop changes to the association by-laws. He will draft new membership statements, the change in the title of the Newsletter Committee, and review the by-laws for other changes. Jim Griesen, Julie Johnson, and Roger Kirby also will review the benefits and costs of establishing the association as a 501 (c) (4) tax exempt organization and the benefits and costs of becoming incorporated under Nebraska laws.

11. Member Relations. Kay Rockwell reported she is working with Doug Zatechka to finalize details for the upcoming tour of the new Housing offices and related areas.

• Friday, March 23, 9:00 coffee, 9:30 tour Housing

She asked for suggestions for other tours in 2018. She said there was interest in a tour of University Police and she would make the contact.

12. Coffee House Chats. Don Weeks reported the following schedule for coffee house chats from December 2017 through May 2018.

• December 14, 2017--9:30am, Holiday Coffee at Jeff and Gail Keown’s home, 9340 Whispering Wind Road
• January 10, 2018—9:30am Coffee at the Mill, Innovation Campus
• February 14, 2018—9:30am Valentine’s Day Party, Don and Rita Weeks’ home
• April 11, 2018—9:30am coffee
• May 9, 2018—9:30am coffee

13. Faculty Senate. Jack Schinstock will be the association liaison to the Faculty Senate. Jack asked what the board expects from him in terms of reporting as there are some major issues being discussed (resources from UNL to UNO, power of the president over the UNL campus).

14. 2018 Program of Work. President Elect Rita Kean presented a draft 2018 Plan of Work for the association. She encouraged board members to review the plan and be prepared to discuss at the January 2018 meeting.

15. Announcements and Other.

• President Johnson distributed a list of potential officers/board members for the association and encouraged board members to think of others to add to the list.  List currently includes: