December 5, 2013 Board Minutes

December 5, 2013 Board Minutes Wick Alumni Center

Members Present: Allen Blezek, John Comer, Duane Eversoll, Julie Johnson, Doug Jose, Jim Kendrick, Roger Kirby, Al Seagren, Delivee Wright, and Doug Zatechka. Several members were out of town or ill.

11:30 am. Buffet lunch was served.

12:00 noon. The Business Meeting was called to order by Allen Blezek, out-going Emeriti Association President.

1. New officers/board members were introduced by Allen Blezek: President – John Comer, Political Science, President Elect (VP and Program Chair) - Duane Eversoll, School of Natural Resources; and Board Member - Julie Johnson, Child, Youth, and Family Studies to replace Duane; and Board Member - Roger Kirby, Physics and Astronomy, to replace outgoing Bob Kuzelka,.

2. Jim Kendrick, Website chair, reviewed current content on the Emeriti web site and asked for various board members responsible for different areas to review and give him appropriate changes. He identified several areas with no recent activity, and suggested consideration of revision, updating, or deletion as it appears we are not active in some areas. More oral history interviews have been conducted than appear because they still need to be formatted and entered in the library archives video materials; this may require some additional funding. While all Chairs have been invited to continue in 2014, some committee members need to be updated. An effort is being made to include a list of past presidents of the Association. Julie Johnson suggested that a systematic review be scheduled annually, as this is an ongoing need. It would be desirable to have positions that manage membership and site information have backup associates.
Jim Kendrick also requested that a back-up website chair or co-chair be found as soon as possible to maintain consistency and continuity of this service in the future.

3. In the absence of Jack Goebel, Allen Blezek reported that the hotel accommodations are in the process of being negotiated at the present time, and Al Seagren and Jim Griesen will be working with the Executive Committee on planning.

4. Potentials for Long term, as well as short term, financing through foundation donations were discussed. Al Seagren suggested identifying tangible needs that the Association has so potential donors could target these. Jack Goebel chairs a committee to study this issue. It was suggested that we might work with our former departments and colleges for some support.

5. Allen Blezek reported that John Comer, Jack Goebel, Duane Eversoll, and he had met with Diane Mendenhall, Director of the Alumni Association to: discuss our mutually supportive relationship, the 2016 Big Ten conference, introduce the new Executive Board of the Emeriti Association for 2014, and thank her for the support they have provided (i.e., office space, copy/clerical assistance, etc.)

6. Jack Goebel is working on the IRS status of the Emeriti Association and is in the final stages of bringing a budget for the Emeriti Association for 2014.

7. Brainstorming ideas for involving more members in the Associationgenerated a variety of
ideas. John Comer also shared a list of activities from other Big Ten Universities. The following ideas may require further consideration and possible followup::
a. Inquiring about the Purdue University Insurance program for retirees and whether it is
feasible for including a broader population from other Big Ten campuses. Doug Zatechka will inquire.
b. Newsletters are a useful idea but take a special skill and are a lot of work. It was suggested that it would be cost effective to distribute information via "UNL TODAY" as part of the daily distribution as this goes to all Emeriti and Faculty members. It would provide more visibility on campus as well. John Comer will check out how this could work.
c. A Survey of the membership in regard to services they provide to UNL would be useful.
d. Trips/tours in conjunction with the Alumni Association that are oriented to retirees could be well-received.
e. Retirement workshops involving retirees who have special insights into various aspects of
retirement could be useful to present and future members on issues beyond finances (i.e., family adjustments, travel, Roads Scholars, community resources, managing flexible time, where to go for valid information, HIPPA laws, SHIIP assistance, Aging Partners, spiritual issues, planning for end of life, etc.) These could be announced in UNL TODAY.
f. Dinners honoring members for various reasons.

8. Bob Kuzelka had developed a list of activities sponsored by the Emeriti Association in 2013 that was distributed to the Board. It included four International Interest Group meetings, ten Coffee House Chats, and three tours. Nancy Aden will organize the Coffee House Chats, but she did not want to be on the Board, so a replacement for Chair of the Member Relations Committee is still needed.

9. Since this retreat also serves as the transition to the new president and officers, the Board expressed its great appreciation to Allen Blezek for his commitment and leadership on behalf of the UNL Emeriti Association. He will continue on the Board as Past-President and a member of the Executive Committee.

Programs for 2014.

a. The President-Elect, Duane Eversoll, chairs the program committee. Schedule of Spring Program Meeting dates has been mailed.

Thursday, January 16 "Nebraska Landslides," Duane Eversoll, Emeritus Professor, Nebraska Geological Survey, School of Natural Resources, IANR, UNL.

Tuesday, February 18, "Planning for Drought and the Consequences of Global Warming." Don Wilhite, Professor and Former Director, School of Natural Resources, IANR, UNL.

Thursday, March 20, "A Look at Nebraska's Bridges – In Light of Recent Collapses in other States," Mark Traynowicz, Bridge Engineer at the Nebraska Department of Roads.

Tuesday, April 17. "Science Behind the New Cuts of Beef," Chris Calkins, Professor, Animal Science, IANR, UNL.

In addition, the NU Presidential Luncheon for Retirees will be in May(TBA), and the NU Foundation Luncheon for UNL Emeriti will be in September (TBA).

b. Board Meetings for the Winter and Spring will be at 1:00 pm in the Wick Alumni Center on:

Thursday, January 9
Tuesday, February 11
Thursday, March 13
Tuesday, April 10
Thursday, May 8

Meeting Adjourned: 2:18 pm.

Submitted By: Delivee Wright Secretary, UNL Emeriti Association

UNL EMERITI ASSOCIATION TREASURER'S REPORT Sunday, November 10, 2013 to Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Wisherd Fund
Book Value:  $ 55,666.83
Spendable:  $ 17,867.96
Market Value:  $ 147,595.57

Emeriti Association Fund
Spendable:  $ 8,17373.00

Wells Fargo Checking Account

Nov. 10 Balance:  $ 3,220.69
Received:  $ 1,460.00*
Expenditures:  $ 921.75**
Dec. 31  Balance:  $ 3,758.94

*Explanation of receipts
Dues: $700,
Luncheon: $760

**Explanation of Expenditures $921.75 East Union Catering    

Treasurer: Agnes Adams