May 2025 Minutes

President’s Council of Retired Employees
Friday 2 May 2025 at 8:15 am
Foster Board Room, 3rd Floor, Buchanan Alumni House and Zoom

Members: Louis Bassano, Gail Dyer-Martin, Michael Eckardt, Cindy Eves-Thomas (Website editor), Richard Judd (Secretary), Thomas Sandford (Chair), Claire Strickland, Althea Tibbetts, Gail Werrbach. Ex Officio Member: Sarah McPartland-Good.

PCRE members introduced themselves to our new member-to-be, Jen Perry.

Approval of 4 Apr 2025 Minutes: Louis moved and Althea second motion to approve; vote was unanimous.

Silver Tracks Newsletter: The newsletter is at the printer. Retirees who would like to receive the newsletter should contact Sarah or use the online form. Louis inquired as to whether the University still hosts a recognition dinner for retirees. Claire checked with HR and learned that the last recognition event was in 2019. Due to the burden on HR resources and to low attendance, the event was suspended. PCRE members discussed ways of recognizing recent retirees, perhaps in the newsletter, at Homecoming, on the web page, or on the TCA digital board at graduation. PCRE will discuss this at a meeting in the fall.

Retiree Outing: We have no event planned for this summer, but we could make an announcement at Homecoming. Louis suggested a Boothbay Botanical Gardens tour or their boat trip. July would be peak flower season, and the weekdays are not crowded. PCRE discussed funding for a bus. Others suggested group attendance at a football or hockey game, a MCA event, or the Versant Astronomy Center. Tom will ask for suggestions at Homecoming, and the evaluation form will have a place for comments on trips. The June meeting will be on the 6th (the day after the Homecoming).

Homecoming (from the attachments):

A) Wells was open at 7:30 last year, but this year we have less to do, since we will not be stuffing bags. Check-in starts at 9:00. PCRE members should arrive at 8:00 AM. Aetna gave PCRE bags last year. The new contact is Elizabeth Horton; Althea will contact her about bags or check with Karel Geroux at the bookstore.

B) Registration: Attendees should register by Friday, May 23. The program will be on the dining tables, and a more detailed program, including the tours, will be at the registration table as will be the evaluation form and parking passes. Tom will add to the Mary Bird paragraph on the program.

C) Parking: The Wells Parking lot is reserved, and signs will be posted.

D) IT Support: Tom will request a support person from IT to help with monitors, screens, microphones, and the All-Maine Women interview video.

E) Check-in: Claire and others, as available, will staff the registration table and help with name tags, programs, tour registration, and the check-in sheet. Maps will be available, particularly to the tick lab. Tom will make up the tour tickets. Parking passes will be available for those parking outside the Wells Lot. Tom will remind Gretchen Faulkner about the tour.

F) Handouts: Homecoming will host 25Vendors and will need 12 tables. Last year Tom had the tables up the evening before the event. Sarah will provide display tents, and Events & Hospitality will print up tents for new vendors. Sarah will send Althea an inventory of the existing tents.

G) President’s Welcome: President Ferrini-Mundy will offer a welcome and introduce the Hikel award winner; Tom will draft a script for the Hikel Award. Richard will take photos of the Homecoming.

H) Brown Scholarship Award: Tom will present the Brown Scholarship Award; the recipient may or may not be present.

I) Announcements: Tom will announce the tours, parking passes, and the request for climate change stories.

J) Speaker: Gail will introduce the speaker (five minutes).

K) Lunch: The menu will be the same as last year. Tom will provide a count of attendees on May 23. Tom reminded PCRE members they need to register. There will be a vegan option for lunch and dessert. Coffee, tea, and water will be available at check-in.

L) Door Prizes: Sarah has door prizes from the bookstore.

M) Evaluation: Claire made up the evaluation form. Sarah will check it.

N) Tours: Cindy will help organize the Hudson Museum tour; Louis, the Tick lab; Gail, the Athletics facilities: and Tom, Ursa.

Website Update: Cindy is up to date with the minutes and will add Homecoming materials next week, with a link for registration.

Motion to Adjourn: Althea moved, Gail seconded; motion was unanimous.