Board Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2007
PDF Printable version of MinutesMinutes were approved on July 5, 2007 with Rod Gelatt's inclusion of the following inserts in red.
Introductions
Introduction of new members of MURA were made: Pansy Cure, Staff Council Representative, to replace Ruth Miluski; and John Parker, as Board member-elect for staff Dick Dowdy has replaced Ray Rothenberger as board member for faculty.
Rod invited board members to give thought to individuals to serve as backups to the Faculty/Staff Council positions. This was left for further discussion.
Should MURA request voting membership on those Chancellor's Standing Committees that MURA members are on? It would be a good point to show participation on Campus. The list of Standing Committees will be reviewed to see if there are more committees MURA should have representatives on and to be discussed further at a later date. Dean Yarwood called attention to existence of a "secret committee whose members are secret, Campus Health Care Oversight," and suggested MURA should be represented on that committee. He also said he understands that that committee may merge with the Retiree's Advisory Committee. (It was noted the Campus Health and Oversight committee shows up on an existing list of campus committees, and that MURA had nominated a representative, but that person presumably decline, with no other person selected).
Chancellor's Standing Committee on Retirees and Campus Health Oversight Committee agreed to merge; MURA will retain its four voting members on the new committee.
Program
The 2006/2007 Program Calendar was submitted by Jo Behymer for consideration.
Meetings with MU President
There is a scheduled meeting on March 13, 2007. Semi-annual meeting with Chancellor Deaton has not been firmed up.
Search for new University President
Should MURA pursue having a member of MURA represented on this Committee? Kee Groshong will try to contact a member of the Board of Curator's. Rod noted he had e-mailed the Board of Curators president 10-12 days earlier proposing MURA have representation on the "advisory committee" announced earlier. There has been no reply. Curators agreed to appoint a representative of U of M retirees to the Presidential Search Advisory Committee; Jo Behymer served in that capacity.
Budget Process
When does actual process begin? Bring this topic to meeting with President and Chancellor; have representatives of MURA attend Board of Curator's meetings; get other campuses involved. After several presentations by MURA and retirees from other campuses to campus and MU administrations, the Board of Curators agreed at May meeting to 2% increase in retiree pensions.
New Retirees/Increasing Membership
Invite anyone nearing retirement to MURA's socials and other events, even if still "active." Obtain names of new retirees and active employees who are 55 or over to recruit. A letter from MURA has been written and will be included in with invitations to Chancellor's luncheon being sent to all retirees. Jo Behymer and Rod Gelatt recently met with active faculty/staff who are approaching retirement. Presently, Ernest does receive lists of new retirees on a regular basis, but without e-mail addresses. Suggestion: seek a list of individuals nearing retirement and who are more likely to have MU e-mail addresses at this time.
Treasurer
A report was distributed showing a checkbook balance as of September 29, 2006 as $4303.90 and total assets as of February 7, 2007 as $58,970.90.
Membership
Ernest Hilderbrand stated that current membership is down; 1,345 total membership with 942 active with lifetime or paying dues.
Alumni Center Reception
MURA needs more to participate, possibly call individuals. Ernest Hilderbrand currently sends out a calendar of open dates.
Miscellaneous
Brief discussion on: AROHE meeting attended by Jo Behymer; UM Retiree Benefits committee; and recognition of Kee Groshong, as nominating committee's choice for President-elect, pending official election at spring MURA business meeting.
Sylvia Bradfield
Secretary
