February 2009 Board Minutes Wick Alumni Center
Members Present: Jim Carr, Max Clegg, Jack Goebel, Herb Howe, Jim Kendrick, Walter Mientka, Jim McShane, Lowell Moser, Mel Thornton, Delivee Wright.
The meeting of the UNL Emeriti Association Board of Directors was called to order by President Lowell Moser at 1:02 pm in the Wick Alumni Center, January 6, 2009.The minutes of the January 6, 2009, retreat were accepted as posted. Mientka gave the January Treasurer's Report. He reported on income, expenses, and current balance of $5502.27 and reported that since he had changed the checking account to an interest generating checking account, he had received a 1099 int. form for $30.00 to report for income taxes. He will submit the appropriate EZ form (990 EZ). He also will check on the cost of mailing first class materials through UNL to see if there is a less expensive option. Jack Goebel moved to accept the report and Herb Howe seconded it.
OLD BUSINESS
Adjustment of the Bylaws to allow for electronic voting was discussed by Jim Kendrick. First a postcard will be sent to active members notifying them of the suggested Bylaws change. It will be worded as follows:
The Board of the UNL Emeriti Association recommends that an electronic ballot be used for all future votes for Officers and Directors of the Association and on changes to the Associations’ Constitution/By-Laws.
At the Association’s scheduled business meeting on March 15, 2009, those Association Members present will be asked to vote on the change to electronic ballots as described above.
The card mailed in March will notify members of the above By-laws change, it also will announce the program for March 2009, and it will request members to submit their preferred email addresses with the assurance that it will not be sold to vendors.
Assuming this By-Laws change passes in March, the next step will be submitting the Change in Membership eligibility to the membership for an electronic vote. A discussion of the integrity of this as a voting process took place with recognition that while multiple voting is possible it is unlikely. In the future, the local list-serve could be used for notification of meetings at a lower cost.
Herb Howe, President-Elect and Program Chair, reported on the topics for the Spring programs as follows: February 17, 2009, Universal Health Care; March 19, Skip Hove, former Chair of the Federal Reserve will discuss the Economy; and April 21, the Federal Budget Tax Policy. A tour is being planned for possibly a March activity; if so, it could also be announced on the March card mailing.
Lowell Moser, Robert Fuller, Herb Howe, and Jack Goebel will meet with the Alumni Association to explore ideas on how we might collaborate.
NEW BUSINESS
Visibility with faculty and administrators is a primary goal for 2009. Jim Carr has been appointed as the Publicity Point Person by Pres. Moser. Ideas were discussed for possible actions including publicity through the Scarlet, Daily Nebraskan, weekly UNL email announcements, the Neighborhood Extra, stories on events, etc. It was suggested that we visit with Meg Lauerman or her designee. Topics could include what CASNR is doing with Emeriti, report on the luncheon for new Emeriti, OLLI teaching roles of Emeriti, announcement of meetings, and other visibilities. We might meet with pre-retirement faculty to discuss things they need to consider as they approach retirement.
The member relations committee continues to sponsor monthly coffees for newer Emeriti with Kay Rockwell‘s efforts. Jim Augustine will organize a bowling team as part of this committee, and a golf group might be added. Formation of golf activities will be pursued by Kay King.
Bob Fuller distributed information on the Portland Emeritus Award for contributions since retirement. This would differ from the Doc Elliott award given by the UNL Alumni Association which is a career award.
Potential activities resulting from the AROHE conference were discussed. These included: an electronic newsletter, employment and volunteer opportunities, formation of a retired staff organization, oral history projects, video recording of Emeriti faculty, library exhibit of Emeriti creativity and service since retirement, increase Emeriti participation in university committees and activities, and tours, travel, and field trips. Jim McShane will talk with Dean Will Norton, of Journalism and Mass Media, to see if an oral history project might be related to journalism student interviewing assignments. Bob Fuller will be asked to follow up on the library display idea. Jim McShane has been appointed to the Committee to examine issues in the Ayres visit by Faculty Senate. We should work with OLLI and the Alumni Association in regard to travel ideas.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Jim McShane reported on the Wisherd Committee activity. They will meet this week on three applications (1 health; 2 research). They will also discuss other ways the Wisherd funds might be used to serve Emeriti. (This might be a topic for a publicity article.)
Jack Goebel reported the Benefits Committee is still interested in getting the PAF adjusted to be definitive about whether a retiring faculty member is recommended to be an Emeritus/ae. It is awaiting action. It was suggested that we might identify cases that have “slipped through the cracks.” Football tickets for emeriti who did not buy them when active faculty continues to be a consideration .
Mel Thornton, Membership Chair, made the following report on members: Annual, 248 (32%); Life, 145 (19%); New in ’09, 29 (4%); Spouse/partners, 120 (15%); Potential, 233 (30%). Total 775. Potential members were those who had not paid dues but were eligible for membership. Mel gets names 1-2 times per year, but in the future will try to get them quarterly so they are invited soon after retirement. We need to update the UNL mailing list; Mel will send the current database for addresses for mailing to Lowell and others who may need them while he is out of town the next five weeks. A follow up letter needs to go to annual members who have not yet paid dues for 2009.
Jim Kendrick, Web Site Chair, asked Chairs to please read the descriptions of their committee’s responsibilities on the web site and make sure they are accurate and updated.
Barbara Wright-Chollett, Member Relations Committee member, served on an Alumni Association Scholarship Committee.
Kay Rockwell was not present, but a coffee for newer Emeriti was held in January, and one is scheduled Thursday, February 19, 2009, at 10:30 am, at the Coffee House, 1324 P. St.
Two names were identified for Memory Minutes for the February Meeting; they were; Robert Knoll, English; and James Gunnerson, Museum.
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.