November 2019 Board Minutes East Campus Union
Members Present: Pat Crews, Jim Griesen, Kim Hachiya, Earl Hawkey, Jeff Keown, Don Weeks, Sue Gildersleeve, John Comer, Alfred Stark, Rita Kean, John Bernthal, Kay Rockwell, Julie Johnson
President Jeff Keown called the meeting to order at 1:30pm
1. Meeting Minutes.
The minutes of the October 15, 2019 board meeting were presented; Jim Griesen moved approval and Julie Johnson seconded the motion. The board unanimously approved the minutes as corrected.
2. Memory Moments.
- Hazel Anthony, Home Economics
- John Turner, Classics and Religious Studies
3. Treasurer’s Report.
Earl Hawkey reported that the Association’s finances are in good standing. In response to a question raised at a prior meeting, the Wisherd fund accrues $526.79 monthly into the spendable account.
4. President’s Report.
Jeff Keown said that he has received 60 reservations for next month’s luncheon and there have been many positive comments that attendees appreciate the easier parking at the Lancaster County Extension Office.
The December board retreat as well as future board meetings in the Spring of 2020 will be held at the Wick Alumni Center.
5. Luncheon/Program Updates.
The November 22 luncheon meeting topic will be Small in Vivo Robots for Surgery, presented by Dr. Shane Farritor, David and Nancy Lederer Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
6. Tours.
Kay Rockwell noted that the Association will have two tours next fall rather than a spring tour and fall tour. The two tours this fall were well attended.
Alfred Stark has agreed to assist Kay in organizing tours.
Don Weeks moved and Rita Kean seconded a motion to pay certain costs associated with the recent Coffee Chat and tour at Morrill Hall. The board unanimously approved payment of the fee for the conference room at Morrill Hall as well as reimbursement to Kay for purchase of the coffee and coffee pot used for the Coffee Chat held prior to the Morrill Hall tour. The coffee pot is to be donated for future use by Morrill Hall staff.
7. Coffee Chats.
Don Weeks thanked Jim Griesen for his work arranging the very successful Coffee Chat held at the Landing on November 13, 2019.
The next Coffee Chat will be held at the home of Jeff and Gayle Keown on December 11, 2019.
Don noted that he is still looking for someone to assume the responsibility of arranging future Coffee Chats since he is president-elect.
8. OLLI Program Offerings.
Rita Kean noted that the board needs to agree on OLLI course offerings for terms three and four. She will re-send an email to the board with options and requested prompt feedback so that information about the courses can be included on the next “yellow” card.
9. Other Business.
At a prior meeting, the question of whether it was important to print nametags in advance for luncheon attendees was raised. It was decided that for now the Association will continue to have attendees hand-write their own nametags. Al Stark is exploring options for a website program that can be used to accept rsvp responses. Such a program can then be used to easily print nametags.
Al will provide a list of members who do not use email to Don Weeks who will ensure that these members are contacted by phone or postal mail in advance of luncheons.
There was discussion about whether the Association website address should be changed to be more inclusive of the entire membership. It was noted that changing the address would be difficult and likely confusing to many members; it was determined that it would be best not to make a change at this time. It was also decided that the preferred abbreviation of the Emeriti and Retirees Association name would be “ERA”.
Sue Gildersleeve, chair of the benefits committee, will find out whether emeriti and retirees typically have entry to Morrill Hall at no charge.
Meeting adjourned at 2:10pm.
Upcoming Meetings
November 22, 2019 – Membership Luncheon, 11:30 AM, Lancaster Extension Education Center
December 10, 2019, Board Retreat, 11:00-1:00, Wick Alumni Center
January 2, 2020 – Executive Board Meeting, 2:00 PM, Braeda
January 9, 2020 – Board Meeting, 1:30, Wick Alumni Center