January 2019 Board Minutes

January 2019 Board Minutes East CFampus Union

Members Present: John Bernthal, Pat Crews, Sue Gildersleeve, Julie Johnson, Doug Jose, Jeff Keown, Kim Hachiya, Earl Hawkey,Jack Schinstock, Vi Schroeder, Don Weeks

President Jeff Keown called the meeting to order at 1:35.

Minutes for October and December 2018. Vi Schroeder distributed draft minutes for the October 2018 board meeting and the board retreat in December 2018. Minutes were approved as written.

Memory Moments.

  • Discussion as to how memory moments are collected and who is responsible (collective). Sources include UNL Today and Journal Star obituaries. It also was suggested the UNL Benefits manager might have a list.
  • Discussion regarding whether the association should provide a financial memorial to members who have served the association as board members/officers. It was decided individuals should donate rather than the association.

Financial. Earl Hawkey reported the association is solvent. Dues for the 2019 year are being collected.

Membership. No report.

Past-president. No report.

Luncheon Programs.

  • Spring 2019 Luncheon Meetings—
    • January 17: Connie Reimers-Hild, PhD, Executive Director and Chief Futurist, Rural Futures Institute, University of Nebraska
    • February 21: Bill Moos, Athletics Director, University of Nebraska (Nebraska East Union)
    • March 19: Heath Mello, Association Vice President for University Affairs, University of Nebraska (possibly residence hall)
    • April 18: Fred Luthans, George Holmes Distinguished Professor of Management, College of Business, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (possibly Lancaster County Extension)
  • Jack Schinstock reported 54 reservations for the meeting next week. For the first time the association is offering coffee only as an option as we ran out of coffee the last two meetings because members who did not order lunch took coffee. The charge for coffee is $2. Discussion followed regarding cost of luncheons and coffee, and how to meet the needs of the association without increasing dues of luncheon costs. Further discussion will be held at the February board meeting.
  • Finding venues for luncheon meetings while the Nebraska East Union is closed for remodeling continue to be a problem. He is looking at residence hall dining facilities during fall and spring break, and possibly Lancaster County Extension for April. Suggestions welcome.
  • President Keown suggested the association have a May social event, perhaps a tailgate and a Nebraska baseball game. He will pursue the idea and report back to the board at the February meeting.
  • Possible topics for fall programs include driver re-education and legislative redistricting and gerrymandering.

Coffee House Chats. Don Weeks reported the following schedule for spring 2019.

  • February 13, 2019: Rock N Joe, 5025 Lindbert St
  • March 13, 2019: The Foundry conference room, 211 N 14th St
  • April 10, 2019: TBA
  • May 8, 2019: Home of Doug Jose
  • June 12, 2019: Home of Don and Rita Weeks

It was suggested other locations for Coffee House Chats might be meeting rooms in retirement facilities (perhaps even with a tour).

First Generation Project. No report.

Commencement.

  • Successful December undergraduate commencement with 11 association members volunteering to help greet guests, stuff and distribute programs, and provide arena directions. Those participating enjoyed the opportunity, and the Nebraska Alumni Association was very appreciative of the help.
  • May 3 undergraduate commencements will require more volunteers as it will be the first time there are two undergraduate commencement ceremonies. Encourage members to volunteer. Commitment: 7:30-9:30, attire red Nebraska polo, smile. Parking permit to park in the garage attached to the arena. Katie Brock, Assistant Director of Alumni and Student Engagement for Nebraska Alumni Association is the contact person and has volunteered to speak briefly at a spring luncheon meeting. Vi Schroeder will provide Katie’s contact information to Julie Johnson for the newsletter.

Doc Elliott Award.  Each year the Nebraska Alumni Association sponsors the Doc Elliott Award to honor a retired UNL Faculty or staff member who has exhibited a record of exemplary service, whose caring has made a difference in the lives of students and alumni, and who has gone beyond traditional expectations. Nominees must have been retired for at least five years. Deadline for nominations is July 1.  Traditionally this award has been presented at the annual NAA awards banquet, but this year and moving forward it will be presented at the September Foundation Luncheon (sponsored by the University Foundation, the Chancellor’s Office, and the Nebraska Alumni Association). Information about the award will be in the association spring newsletter and nominations encouraged at luncheons later in the spring.

 UNL Faculty/Staff Relations. The association has had a liaison with the Faculty Senate for many years. With proposed changes in association Policies and Procedures, the UNL Faculty/Staff Relations committee will include liaisons for Faculty Senate, UAAD, and UNOPA. President Keown will follow up on suggestions for committee members made at the board meeting and welcomes recommendations.

New Board Member.

  • The association needs to replace a board member as Nancy Aden has resigned. The association practice is for the president to appoint a new board member, officer, or committee member to fill out the term of the person resigning. Tom Hoegemeyer was recommended as a board member, and President Keown will contact him to determine interest.
  • Julie Johnson noted there is no procedure in place to formalize this type of action. She suggested formalizing the practice next year since the updating process is awaiting approval this year.

Awards.

  • Pat Crews agreed to serve as the chair of the awards committee.
  • 2019 awards information will be emailed to all association members before the January meeting. A reminded will be emailed in February and an announcement made at the February luncheon as the deadline is March 1.

Constitution and Bylaws.

  • The updated document was reviewed with minor changes.
  • Julie Johnson announced the updated document would be emailed to all members prior to the January luncheon so the question to approve could be called at the meeting. She also will provide a few copies at each table at the meeting. She will comment on changes before she offers the question at the meeting. No second will be necessary.
  • Johnson also led a discussion regarding comments received from a member no longer living in Lincoln. After discussion it was decided to move the document forward without changes. Jim Griesen has communicated with the commenting member.

Big10 Emeriti and Retirees Conference 2019. The 2019 conference will be held at the University of Illinois August 2-4. Potential candidates to represent the UNL association are Pat Crews and Kim Hachiya.

 Meeting adjourned at 3:30.

 Respectfully submitted,

Vi Schroeder, Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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