{"id":1308,"date":"2021-11-05T13:51:27","date_gmt":"2021-11-05T17:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/retirees\/?p=1308"},"modified":"2024-01-09T13:58:38","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T18:58:38","slug":"november-2021-minutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/retirees\/2021\/11\/05\/november-2021-minutes\/","title":{"rendered":"November 2021 Minutes"},"content":{"rendered":"

UM President\u2019s Council of Retired Employees<\/strong>
\numaine.edu\/retirees<\/a>
\nNovember 5, 2021
\nMinutes<\/strong>
\nMeeting via Zoom<\/p>\n

Attendees:<\/strong> David Bagley, Louis Bassano, Dusty Dowse, Marian Dressler, Richard Judd, Sarah McPartland-Good, Michael Pullen (on phone), Sue Randall, Thomas Sandford, Phyllis Thibodeau
\nAbsent:<\/strong> Nancy Boyington, Gloria Vollmers<\/p>\n

Meredith Whitfield is the new Chief of Staff to the President. She will be invited to join our monthly meetings.<\/p>\n

The Council didn\u2019t convene the months of September and October, so November 5 was the first meeting of the fall semester.<\/p>\n

Call to Order:<\/strong>
\nDusty Dowse called the Meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. He announced that the Zoom monthly meetings are being recorded for individuals who are interested in reviewing the meeting.<\/p>\n

Dusty received communication from Chris Lindstrom that the University of Maine retirees were all set with Aetna insurance for 2022 if they so choose to continue with it.<\/p>\n

Conducting our business as a Council:<\/strong>
\nThe Council is guided by the current mission statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe President\u2019s Council of Retired Employees serves to enhance communication between the University of Maine and the community of retired employees. The Council will encourage active involvement of retirees in the life of the University.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Council will provides advice to the University\u2019s President on matters of importance to retirees and the University community in general.\u201d<\/em> 2020<\/p>\n

There are some documents that are in archives that all members should have access to so they can review the history of the Council. Richard Judd mentioned sending out important documents digitally. Phyllis agreed but suggested setting up google docs so all members could access the materials in one location instead of continually sending e-mail enclosures where items get misplaced or overlooked. Dusty will correlate all the materials to be posted in the Google Drive folder.<\/p>\n

Homecoming:<\/strong>
\nOur goal is to have a face-to-face event on campus in June. Phyllis will check the availability of Wells Conference Center for June 7, 2022. She will also contact Serge Drage, IT Engineer, if folks don\u2019t feel comfortable attending in person, could they connect remotely.<\/p>\n

Newsletter:<\/strong>
\nSue Randall and Phyllis Thibodeau will assist Sarah McPartland-Good on the yearly Silver Tracks Newsletter<\/em>. Last year\u2019s newsletter was mailed out in February. There will be further discussion regarding a realistic deadline at the December meeting.<\/p>\n

Harold Brown Scholarship:<\/strong>
\nMarian Dressler will be resigning from the Council the end of December 2021. She has served many years working with Financial Aide and The Foundation on identifying a student who qualifies for this yearly scholarship. Sue Randall will replace Marian and will oversee the process for this academic year.<\/p>\n

All Maine Women Oral History Project:<\/strong>
\nPostponed to next meeting<\/p>\n

Barbara Hikel Award:<\/strong>
\nSince Gloria Vollmers was chair of the Hikel Committee last year, the Council wanted her input for the coming year. Dusty will connect with her on the status of her continuation. Louis Bassano showed an interest serving on this committee but would like more information. Further discussion will be considered at the December meeting.<\/p>\n

Retiree Employee Database:<\/strong>
\nLast year Chris Lindstrom provided us with an updated list of retirees. There seems to still be some confusion on the Cooperative Extension retiree list. Hannah Carter, Dean of Cooperative Extension, is interested in receiving the updated list of all their retirees so she can communicate with faculty who may be able to assist with some of their current or future projects.<\/p>\n

Website:<\/strong>
\nThomas Sandford will continue to update the website. All the Silver Tracks<\/em> newsletters are currently on the website.<\/p>\n

Membership:<\/strong>
\nThere are four members whose terms expire December 31, 2021:<\/p>\n