January 2018 Board Minutes

January 2018 Board Minutes Nebraska East Union 11:30 AM

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

President Rita Kean called the meeting to order at 1:30pm.

 1. Memory Moments.

  • Thomas Edward Rinkevich, Professor Emeriti Classics and Religious Studies
  • Laura Mitzi Hurlbutt (Spouse of Robert)
  • Leo H. Kirchoff
  • Ed Penas, Extension Agronomist, Southeast Extension Center
  • Audrey Newton, Professor Emerita and former Chair, Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design

 2. Approval of December Retreat Minutes. Vi Schroeder distributed copies of the minutes from the December board retreat. Minutes were approved.

 3. Recognition of Board Member Service. Past President Julie Johnson distributed the remainder of the board recognition certificates. She once again thanked all board members for their service in 2017.

 4. Reports

  • Financial. Earl Hawkey distributed the December 2017 financial report and declared the association solvent. The report included both Wells Fargo Bank and NU Foundation financials. There will be an increase in deposits in January because of annual membership dues payments.
  • Membership. Roger Kirby reported 77 persons have paid membership dues. He will send out a second notice within the next few days to approximately 200 email addresses. It is difficult to contact emeriti and retirees for whom the association has no email address. The association drops those who do not pay dues for three years.
  • Awards. Pat Crews distributed by email copies of proposed award documents:
    • Wisherd Award for Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities Grant Application and proposed letter to be sent to UNL emeriti and retirees.
    • Wisherd Award for Outstanding Service to UNL purpose, eligibility and criteria, nomination process, and recognition process document and letter to be sent to UNL emeriti and retirees and UNL administrators.
    • Wisherd Award for Outstanding Community Service purpose, eligibility and criteria, nomination process, and recognition process document and letter to be sent to UNL emeriti and retirees and UNL administrators.

 Pat Crews moved, Doug Zatechka seconded approval of the three awards as revised. Discussion followed and changes/clarifications were made to the letters.

 Motion carried. Because time is of the essence, Pat will distribute letters to appropriate audiences by email as soon as possible.

  • Benefits. Doug Zatechka reported the new benefits listings are ready to be posted on the association website once the Quilt Center is added and Doug reviews one final time. Doug thanked Julie Johnson for helping to make the organization of the listings more clear.
  • Policies and Bylaws. Jim Griesen reported he will be conducting a thorough review of association policies and bylaws during the 2018 year.
  • Senate Liaison. Jack Schinstock had no report as everyone has just returned to campus for second semester.
  • Newsletter. Julie Johnson reported that much of the material for the spring newsletter is in. It will include features on members, reports on speakers at monthly meetings, and information on upcoming events. John Bernthal will write the report for the January meeting. The newsletter should be distributed in February.
  • Luncheons and Association Meetings. President Elect Jeff Keown announced the spring meeting/speaker schedule.
    • 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 21st Century Technologies for Agricultural Production Systems – Dr. Joe Luck, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist for Precision Agriculture, Biological Systems Engineering Department, University of Nebraska- Lincoln 
    • MAY- President’s Luncheon – TBA

There are 50 reservations to purchase lunch for the January meeting next week. If an individual does not make a reservation for lunch, that person will not receive a boxed lunch. 

  • Coffee House Chats. Don Weeks reported the following are scheduled.
    • Wednesday, January 10 Coffee House Chat at The Mill at Innovation Campus
    • Wednesday, February 14 Valentine’s Day Party at Don and Rita Weeks’ home
    • April or May at Wilderness Ridge

Kay Rockwell asked if the chats might be scheduled on a Tuesday or Thursday as some who would like to attend have regular commitments on Wednesday mornings. Because the dates have been published for this year, consideration will be given to moving days around next year.

  • Member Relations. Kay Rockwell and Doug Zatechka reported the next tour will be Friday, March 23, at the new dining hall/housing offices/residence hall. The coffee will begin at 9:00am and the tour at 9:30am. Because the tour is during spring break, parking will be allowed in the lot behind the dining hall. Kay has created a flyer which will be distributed at the February general membership meeting. An announcement will be made at the January meeting.
  • Updates.
    • President Kean met with Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Linda Major about the Center for Civic Engagement. Linda will attend the February board meeting to share ideas for involvement in service learning and more interaction with students. Linda also suggested a possible speaker for a future meeting: Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Global Initiatives Sonia Feigenbaum.
    • President Kean reported she received a written description on First Generation Project from Associate Vice Chancellor Amy Goodburn. The description of the program and scheduled events will be sent to association members by email to encourage them to participate.
    • Past President Johnson reported the meeting with UAAD/UNOPA membership to explain the association being open to retirees will probably not happen in January as their joint meeting is full. Julie and Rita will continue to communicate with both organizations to make sure the information is shared.
    • Past President Johnson talked with an OLLI representative about the association’s collaboration with OLLI. They have not yet determined which course(s)/event(s) will be this year’s collaboration, but this spring will likely be  the course on the university’s history. Information about the collaboration will be in the spring newsletter.
    • Past President Johnson emailed both UNO and UNK as to their retiree associations but has not yet heard back from either.

     President Kean encouraged board members to contact her with any other issues of interest/importance to the association. Meeting adjourned at 2:15pm.

    Respectfully,

    Submitted By: Vi Schroeder, Secretary