MURA Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2026
Daniel Boone Regional Library Friends Room and Zoom
The MU Retirees Association (MURA) Board of Directors was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by MURA President Mary Leuci. Members present included president-elect Janie Harmon; secretary Suzette Heiman; treasurer Brian Sanders; at-large members Debbie Allen, Anita Cowan, Larry Ganong, and committee chairs, co-chairs and liaisons Ken Dean, Betsy Garrett, Barbara Harris, Sherri Helm, Dick Otto, Donna Otto, Ted Tarkow, Jo Turner, and ex officio members Mary Licklider, Judy Maseles, Frank Schmidt.
MINUTES
Jo Turner moved and Mary Licklider seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2025, Board meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Mary Leuci thanked all committee chairs for increasing engagement and participation of members and guests. She highlighted several upcoming events.
- The Annual Meeting from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at Boone Electric Cooperative. A social time and refreshments will be available beginning at 9:30 a.m.
- The MURA Spring Social will be from 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, Walsworth Family Columns, Memorial Stadium.
- Planning for the 2026-27 year will take place in April, including determining committee leadership and membership, developing the 2026 budget and identifying dates for board orientation, programs and venues.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Brian Sanders, MURA Treasurer, reported a cash balance on December 31, 2025, is $18,325.21 and the Vanguard investment assets of $124,269.69. Ken Dean moved and Ted Tarkow seconded a motion to approve the December 31, 2025, Treasurer’s report. Anita Cowan moved and Betsy Garrett seconded a motion to approve the October 9, 2025, quarterly report. Both motions passed unanimously.
Treasurer Sanders proposed a clarification to the MURA Finance Policy and Procedure Manual concerning the Bank Account Reconciliation policy. The policy proposes that only the Treasurer has the authority to establish a bank account in the name of MU Retirees Association. The President is the successor in the event the Treasurer is not available. Ted Tarkow moved and Ken Dean seconded a motion to approve this policy. The motion passed unanimously.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Awards Committee. Co-chairs Dick and Donna Otto shared a draft of the 2026 Chancellor’s Retiree of the Year Award nomination form, which includes the names/year awarded of previous recipients. Two awards are given: one for a former faculty member and the other for a former staff member. Nominations should be submitted by March 2. Visit the Provost’s site for information on nominating retirees for awards or discuss it with the committee co-chairs.
Communications Committee. Chair Barbara Harris shared that MURA is researching options for a permanent website and will have a recommendation, costs and other information for the April board meeting. The previous host service went out of business, and it is unclear if the data will be returned to MURA. Newsletter editor Mary Lickliker reminded the Board to duplicate their reports and other items on Microsoft Teams.
Governmental Affairs Committee. Information about the upcoming 24th Annual Boone County Legislative Forum was shared. It will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m., January 29, at the Grand Cru Restaurant. The forum provides insights about the Boone County legislative delegation and UM’s priorities for this legislative session.
Membership Committee. Chair Jo Turner reported that as of December 15, 2025, MURA has a total of 908 members in good standing. This includes 58 Annual members and 850 Life members. Chair Turner presented two motions.
The Membership Committee will present to MURA membership at the March 8 Annual Meeting a proposal to increase annual dues. It reads: Subject to approval by the membership at the MURA 2026 Annual Meeting, MURA annual membership dues will be $20 per year, effective April 1, 2026. Jo Turner moved and Brian Sanders seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Nomination Committee The Nomination Committee recommended the following candidates to serve on the MURA Board of Directors. Ken Dean moved and Ted Tarkow seconded a motion to recommend this slate to a vote of MURA membership at the annual business meeting on March 9. The motion passed unanimously.
- Janie Ausburn Harmon, candidate for President, 2026-2027
- Sherri Helm, candidate for President-elect, 2026-2027
- Brian Sanders, candidate for Treasurer, a second 3-year term, 2026-2029
- Anita Cowan. Anita was appointed by the board in 2025 to fill year two of the unexpired 3- year term of Janie Harmon’s Member-at-Large-Staff term. MURA bylaws require member approval to fill the final year, 2026-2027.
- Cathy Scroggs, nominated to fill Sherri Helm’s Member-at-Large-Staff expiring 3-year term, 2026-2029.
- Charles Nilon, nominated to fill Chris Bouchard’s expiring 3-year Member-at-Large- Faculty, 2026-2029.
Program and Education Committee. Chair Janie Harmon said all breakfast programs have been confirmed through June. Also, two educational opportunities are being planned.
Kitty Dickerson Scholarship Committee. Chair Ted Tarkow said MURA volunteers are needed to assist students at the Mizzou Store at the start of the Spring 2026 semester, January 16-22. The Mizzou Store donates $15 per every volunteer hour to the Dickerson Scholarship Fund. Contact Ted Tarkow tarkowt@missouri.edu to sign up or for more information.
Various questions were raised about policies and procedures concerning this scholarship. An ad hoc group of Board members will review current practice, gather more information and make recommendations as needed to clarify the application and other processes. These recommendations will be shared with the Board before the April meeting.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND LIAISONS
Faculty Council.Representative Frank Schmidt highlighted a new MU international travel policy for MURA members with MU email accounts. In short, the new policy is for employees on University business, taking University property (e.g. laptop) out of the country or using a cell phone to access Mizzou email in a country of concern or embargoed country. Contact the MU Office of Research with questions or for more information.
United Way. The University of Missouri Heart of Missouri United Way Committee exceeded its 2025 donation goal of $500,000: As of December 18, the donation total was $554,931, with retirees having contributed $296,506, or 53.43%, of that total.
OLD BUSINESS
Policies and Procedures Manual Update. MURA past presidents were tasked to take responsibility for reviewing and updating MURA’s Policy and Procedure Manual. At this time the current version has been reviewed, with areas that need to be updated, deleted or added identified. The next step for Board members will be to review materials pertinent to their Board duties and roles; edit and update the materials; and return the edited materials to Mary Licklider who will compile. The goal is to complete a final edit of the Policies and Procedures Manual before the April 2026 Board meeting.
ADJOURN
Betsy Garrett moved and Ted Tarkow seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Suzette Heiman
MURA Secretary