October 2008 Board Minutes

October 2008 Board Minutes Wick Alumni Center

Members Present: Bob Fuller, Max Clegg, Herb Howe, Jim Kendrick, Walt Mientka, Lowell Moser, Howard Ottoson, Kay Rockwell, Rose Marie Tondl, and Delivee Wright.

President Bob Fuller called the meeting to order. Minutes of the Emeriti Assn. September 9th Board Meeting were approved as posted on the website.

In response to the Ad hoc Committee’s report to Re-energizing the Emeriti Association: Report on Input from Emeriti Members, Bob Fuller called for ideas from the Board for issues that need further consideration and action. The following ideas were posted:

1. Provide food at meetings
2. Alternate meetings days on Tuesdays and Thursday
3. Tour campus facilities
4. Vary midday meeting times
5. Promote web use
6. Reexamine annual dues
7. Have coffee and bagels for Emeriti before the “State of the University” address.
8. Work on a transportation plan
9. Examine the Courtesy committee functions (flowers, baskets, cards)
10. Refine a help line for those retiring; complement Norman Simon’s work for Benefits office.
11. Develop ways to encourage participation (e.g., make presentation at the TIAA-CREF and Fidelity sessions for retirees.)
12. Appoint a program committee to work with Vice-President on program issues.
13. Make sure new emeriti have personal contact to encourage participation.
14. Work with Department Chairs/Heads to build Emeriti relationships.
15. Work with campus Recreation on ways to collaborate, such as facilities use, golf, bowling, etc.
16. Consider alternative locations, East Campus Union and the Champions Club
17. Keep this list open, but begin work on the above issues.

In examining the posted issues, the Board identified the highest priority as the creation of a Program Committee, chaired by the President-Elect (Vice-President) that would consist of 3-4 other members and would work on assigned tasks related to programs (i.e., Issue numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, and 13).

A short discussion of the dues level included consideration of earliest retiring emeriti who might be given “Life Member” status after a set number of years of paying dues. It was determined that we needed more information about payroll history and numbers involved.

Kay Rockwell gave a report on the New Emeriti Coffees. She has 25 names of Emeriti having retired in the past year ('08), and 20 names of Emeriti having retired the previous year ('07). Therefore, NEC invitations are being e-mailed to 45 people because I dropped off the names of those who retired in '06). The next coffee is 9:30 am, Monday, October 20, 2008, at the Haymarket Mill.

The Discussion of the Courtesy Committee functions was tabled at the September Board meeting for further information. Delivee Wright reviewed the functions, numbers, and costs involved in the past five years. It is currently a subcommittee of the Member Relations Committee. Jim Kendrick moved, and Lowell Moser seconded the motion to suspend the current functions and refer them for study to the Member Relations Committee and include the current Courtesy chair (Barbara Wright-Chollet) on that committee. The motion passed unanimously.

The rules governing the use of Wisherd Funds need review, thought and discussion at the December Retreat.

Lowell Moser reported on the September Member meeting at which a subsidized lunch was an option. He had 35 reservations, 6 no shows, (20) 12 extras, with a total of 38 paying for lunch and eating lunch. About 20 more members came but did not eat lunch making the total attendance between 55 and 60. The October 21 meeting now has 22 reservations (for soup and salad) and the Union will allow for five additional walk-ons. The request for RSVP did not provide an accurate number for the September meeting.

It is time to mail dues statements and Wisherd application information. It was moved by Jim Kendrick and seconded by Walt Mientka that we send these in October including a request for application forms for the Wisherd Fund. A second mailing of the Wisherd forms would be sent to those requesting them and should be returned by December 31, 2008. The motion passed.

Brochures will not be mailed to all members, but will be given to to all new members at the New Emeriti luncheon in January. It contains the mailing address, web site address, benefits, and photos.

The composition of a Nominating Committee was discussed. Formerly, members on this committee were not on the Board and were not connected with the organization’s business so it was discontinued. Jim Kendrick moved and Walt Mientka seconded a motion that this committee shall be composed of the following individuals: President, Vice President (President Elect), Past President, and the Senior Board Member. Motion passed,effectively immediately. Therefore, the current Nominating Committee will be: Bob Fuller, Lowell Moser, Howard Ottosen, and Max Clegg. If Board members have ideas for nominees for the offices of Vice-President and Board Member, please contact Bob Fuller or Lowell Moser as soon as possible as they need to be announced at the November Members meeting.

On Thursday, October 23rd, Bob Fuller and Lowell Moser will attend the Conference of the AROHE (Association of Retiree Organizations in Higher Education) in Los Angeles. Bob will do a presentation highlighting the Wisherd Fund and the Emeriti Web site.

The fall schedule of programs was reviewed with the next board meeting at 1:00 pm on Nov. 4, and the Dec. 2 Board meeting being a lunch and retreat from 11:30 am-3:30 pm at the Wick Alumni Center. The Member meetings will be Oct 21 (Future of Lincoln); Nov. 18 (Future of Nebraska). On January 22, 2009, 11:30 am, we will host a New Emeriti Luncheon for new and current members at the Champions Club. The charge for current members and guests will be $5.00/person.

Walt Mientka distributed the Treasurer’s Report for October. It was accepted.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 pm.

Submitted By: Delivee Wright, Assistant Secretary, in the absence of the Secretary