April 2024 Minutes
President’s Council of Retired Employees
Friday 5 April 2024 at 8:15 am
Foster Board Room, 2nd Floor, Buchanan Alumni House
and Zoom
Members: David Bagley, Louis Bassano, Richard Borgman (Vice Chair), Richard Judd (Secretary), Richard Kent, Thomas Sandford (Chair), Claire Strickland, Althea Tibbetts, Gail Werrbach, Ex Officio Members: Sarah McPartland-Good, Isabella LoRusso
1. Approval of 1 Mar 2024 Minutes: Council voted unanimously to approve.
2. PCRE Membership (Classified Nominee): Claire did not hear from Larry Corbett, so she approached another prospective member, but that person has not responded. Claire suggested recruiting at the Homecoming, and Althea will approach others. Council also has an opening for a Gold Card Eligible person (someone still working, but eligible for a Gold Card). A person in this circumstance would find it difficult to attend meetings (being still employed), so the Council considered substituting a “Member At Large” for this category (i.e., someone from any category). Council would have to change the bylaws. This will be on the May agenda.
3. Hikel Award: Gail mentioned that the Council’s nominee has been passed to the president’s office and to the chair of Wildlife. The Awardee will be coming to the homecoming. Letters went out to nominators of those who were not chosen. Isabella has ordered the clock and will pass it on to Tom for engraving.
4. Website: Cindy reminded Tom that Isabella should provide a personal photo, but Isabella will be leaving her position and will be replaced by another representative. Cindy will get Homecoming registration materials up on the website.
5. 2024 Retiree Homecoming:
a. Information Tables: Althea has been working on the tables. Homecoming will have around 20 information tables.
b. Tours: Garden, Rogers Farm, Astronomy Center, Hotel Ursa: There will be limits on the tours: Littlefield Gardens can take around 60; Rogers Farm, 30; Astronomy, 50; Hotel Ursa, 20. Altogether, the tours can accommodate around 160 visitors. Perhaps others could be given information to visit on their own. Isabelle suggested a fact sheet for the hotel tours. Ten hotel rooms have been reserved for attendees until May 15(?). There will be an article explaining this in the newsletter. Tom requested the same parking area as last year. At the registration table, we will have information on things to do on campus, information on PCRE, and a newsletter from the President. Aetna filled the swag bags last year. Richard J. will take photos of the Homecoming and attend the registration table. David will be in the dining area. Catering should be asked to provide an alternative to ice cream for dessert (for lactose intolerant people.) The rest of the menu should be checked. Coffee, tea, and juice (only) will be available for the morning arrivals. (We need a quote on this.) Council should have the Homecoming preparation completed by next month. Attendees can register online or by phone. There is no paper registration option.
6. Newsletter: Rick is not sure when the newsletter will appear, but it is at Printing Services. He will try to get feedback. We will also need an email set out on the Homecoming with information on registration. Rick thinks the email list is fairly up to date (i.e., with retirees from last year). The newsletter will include information on Hotel Ursa (its history, an interview, etc.).
7. Outing — Puffin Watch: Tom has twenty tickets available for the Puffin Watch, which will be on Friday, July 12. Reservations can be made separately as well. After the Homecoming, Tom will send out an email to announce the tour, and there will be a one-page announcement at the registration table. The tour starts at 9:30, but attendees should reserve some time for parking. Binoculars would be handy, as well as warm dress, rain gear, and appropriate shoes. No glass bottles or alcohol can be carried on, although drinks will be available for sale on board. Tom will check on promotional material for the registration table, and Rick will check at their offices. The cost is $73.58. Reservations can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the tour. If the seas are rough, the tour might be cancelled.
8. Appearance before Retiree Health Benefits Advisory Committee (RHBAC): Rick and Althea attended. The group hopes to hold half-day sessions on all campuses, August 12-16, to help retirees access their services. Employee Benefits, Aetna, TIAA, Social Security, and Alight will be represented, with opportunities for questions or for individual meetings with Aetna and Alight.
9. AFUM – Perspectives on Faculty Retirement Meeting: Rick and Tom attended the meeting. Rick reported that the meeting, with a panel of six, was interesting. Consensus was that the System needs to reach out to retirees more effectively. The panel focused on the transition to retirement, The Art of the Wasted Day, and the Gold Card. Ann Remick in Benefits will answer questions about Aetna and Alight.
10. Other: Commencement, Friday afternoon and Saturday, May 3-4, needs volunteers. Isabella will send out an email.
11. Motion to Adjourn: David moved to adjourn; Rick seconded the motion; vote was unanimous.