February 2021 Minutes

February 5, 2021 Minutes

UM President’s Council of Retired Employees
umaine.edu/retirees
February 5, 2021
8:15 to 9:30 a.m.
Minutes
Meeting via Zoom

Attendees: David Bagley, Louis Bassano, Nancy Boyington, Dusty Dowse, Marian Dressler, Sarah McPartland-Good, Michael Pullen (on phone), Sue Randall, Thomas Sandford, Phyllis Thibodeau, Gloria Volmers and Kim Whitehead.

Absent: Richard Judd

Call to Order:
Dusty Dowse called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. Dusty announced that this Zoom meeting (and others in the future) are being recorded, in case individuals would like to view the meeting.

Approved minutes of January 8, 2021 meeting
Minutes were approved.

Welcome to any invited guests:
None

Items from the Floor:

(1) List of PCRE membership. Dusty explained that it makes the most sense to have two lists: one for internal use (by PCRE and University) and an external one with only members email addresses. He will poll members for their approval on what personal information they want included.

(2) List of UM retirees: Sue has a list of all retirees, which contains 945 rows of names, that she received from Chris Lindstrom. Louis asked if Cooperative Extension Dean, Dr. Hannah Carter, could have a copy of UMCE retirees. Dusty will check with Chris on the possible uses and sharing of the list.

(3) Newsletter: Sue explained that Sarah and the UM Foundation staff have finished their initial work on the newsletter and it is ready to go. An electronic copy has been sent to all the members. The newsletter looks great and any corrections and comments should go to Sarah and Sue.

There are some issues that need resolving (i.e. where is the link where retirees can go to sign up with their email address to get the newsletter). Chris Lindstrom needs to be involved in that, as he discussed a “Keep in Touch” form that may work on the HR website.

It would be great to include a link to the Homecoming registration in the newsletter.

Thomas will add a link to the PCRE website for the Homecoming.

Planning for Retiree Homecoming:
The 2021 Retiree Homecoming is a Virtual one on June 1st from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Dusty said that we will need to work with a subcommittee to plan the Homecoming. There isn’t enough time to work all the arrangements out during the regular meetings.

Discussion ensured about possible breakout sessions as well as the Keynote Speaker.

It was agreed that we ask Kimberly to invite the President to do the welcome as well as introduce the Keynote Speaker and present the awards.

It was agreed to ask the President to invite Dr. Nirav Shah, Maine CDC director (or someone on his staff — perhaps DHS Commission Jeanne Lambrew, or someone else). The doctor does his reporting on Tuesdays, so our event will be a conflict for him.

Members will follow up on suggestions and ideas for breakout sessions. Brainstorming ideas include: making sourdough break with Dusty, chocolate tasting, dining with diabetes, sourdough starter by Borealis breads, UMCE and nutrition programs, Jim Dill and virtual tour of new diagnostic lab, the future of the university health insurance, etc.

Retirees will need to pre-register for breakout workshops (so as to mail ahead the chocolate samples and sourdough bread starter).

A Rough Framework for the Homecoming:

  • 15-20 minutes?
  • Start with the Welcome and Remarks by the UM President
  • Awarding of the Hikel Award(s)
  • Awarding of the Brownie Scholarship
  • The Keynote (30 minutes?). COVID-19 topic
  • Choose one of two breakout sessions (30 minutes?)
  • Break
  • Choose another one of two breakout sessions (30 minutes?)
  • End with 2020 Oral History Video

Retirees who pre-register get something in the mail. This may include a UMCE newsletter, in addition to chocolates and bread starter.

Next Steps:
Dusty emphasized that he will be setting up a Sub-Committee meeting to refine and make decisions as soon as possible. The suggestion to rename this year’s event: The “At Home Homecoming.” Also, Thomas is working tirelessly getting as much as possible on our website.

Hopefully the Retiree Homecoming can also be accessed on our website.

Motion to adjourn: Unanimous
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 5 on Zoom at 8:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Boyington