MURA 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes
March 15, 2023
The March 17, 2022, hybrid annual business meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m. by MURA President Ina Linville. xxx members were present in person and 15 members participated online. She thanked Tiger Place for sponsoring the meeting and MURA members who helped with the meeting.
President’s Report
President Linville reported on her 2022-2023 goals for MURA:
- Amplify the voice of retirees as we work with decision-makers, serve on the Total Awards Advisory Committee (TRAC) and tap ombuds to work through issues with our members. Betsy Garrett explained the representation of retirees on the Committee. A work session with UM personnel and representatives of all campus retiree associations is planned for this spring.
- Communicate via email updates, quarterly newsletters, website https://mura-missouri.com/, and Facebook. She noted that MURA’s accomplishments are detailed in quarterly Board minutes online, MURA newsletters, and email updates.
- Educate and socialize through breakfasts, socials and town halls.
- Contribute to the University by promoting UM interests with elected and appointed leaders, and by raising awareness of the generosity of retirees’ contributions of time, talent and treasure. One-third of MU’s United Way contributions come from retirees.
In summary, good progress has been made on MURA goals, and the organization is in good health.
Minutes
Having received no additions or corrections, PresidentLinville noted approval of the minutes from the March 2022 annual business meeting. Jim Scott moved and Ken Dean seconded the motion to approve the minutes as provided. The motion was approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Donna Johanning reported that, as of February 28, 2023, MURA had a cash balance of $12,131.03 and investment assets totaling $101,517.67. There are outstanding bills of about $2,500. She noted that sponsorship from Central Bank and Trusts has offset rising costs of MURA events. Kee Groshong moved and Frank Schmidt seconded approval of the treasurer’s report. The motion was unanimously approved.
Nominating Committee Report and Election
Nominating Committee chair Ruth Tofle recognized, Betsy Garrett, Jo Turner, Kee Groshong and Gary Smith for serving on the Nominating Committee. She invited candidates to introduce themselves: President, Ken Dean; president-elect and Program Chair, Jim Scott; secretary, Suzette Heimann (unable to attend and introduced by Ruth Tofle); member-at-large faculty, Chris Bouchard; member-at-large staff, Sherri Helm. Ruth Tofle moved and Betsy Garrett seconded the motion to approve the slate of candidates. The motion passed by acclamation.
Program Committee
Program chair Ken Dean reported on breakfast programs. Six of the eight scheduled educational programs have been held with attendance varying from 50-75 persons. The next two programs will be held April 3 on Missouri rural health and May 2 on birding. Breakfast programs have been offered via zoom and also recorded and made available on the website. The Committee has not yet decided whether to offer a June 6 program. Clyde and Cecile Bentley have worked tirelessly to secure speakers for the programs. Due to their “retirement,” new chairs/co-chairs will be needed. Additionally, the fall holiday social/luncheon was attended by over 88 persons.
Membership Committee
Membership chair Jo Turner reported that, as of March 1, 2023, MURA has a total of 894, including 38 annual members and 856 life members. In 2022 and 2023, the MURA Board offered an “upgrade to life membership” allowing annual members to apply their past dues toward life membership. The membership recruitment letter on the MURA webpage opens MURA membership to all University of Missouri staff and faculty who are 55 years old or older. We welcome retirees, pre-retirees, spouses/partners, and persons holding a variety of UM appointments, including Extension, MU Healthcare, UM System, and USDA personnel. Associate (non-voting) membership is available to persons who have retired from another college or university. This spring, MURA will be collaborating with UM HR to send a postcard to retirees, encouraging them to consider membership in MURA or our sister campus associations.
Kitty Dickerson Scholarship Committee
Scholarship Committee chair Ted Tarkow was present online, so President Tofle presented his report that MURA will sponsor six $1,500 scholarships in 2023-2024 and has a current balance of $131,076. Nearly 24 volunteers assisted Mizzou Store at the start of both terms, raising about $1,300, and the bookstore contributed a raffle item for the holiday social, which also added to the fund. President Choi honored his commitment to contribute to the scholarship fund. A second Shakespeare’s fundraiser should net about $500. Attendance fees for the April 10 spring social will go to the scholarship fund. The June 30, 2022, distribution of about $6,600 is additional good news. Looking to the future, it will be important to start a database of Dickerson recipients who graduate, and the Committee will also work to add popular restaurants near campus as philanthropic partners.
Meeting Sponsor
Eric Minturn, administrator of Tiger Place, the meeting sponsor, spoke to ongoing connections between MU and Tiger Place. President Linville thanked Tiger Place again for its sponsorship.
There was a 10-minute break in the meeting.
Program
Chris Bouchard, MURA member, spoke about his father’s, Charles C. Bouchard’s experience as part of a B-24 crew and a prisoner of war in France and Germany during World War II.
Pension Plan Update
Tom Richards spoke to the strength of the UM pension fund. He expects markets to continue to be volatile this year. Eric Vogelweid noted that the pension fund is currently funded at 80% market value and 80% actuarial value, placing it at about the 75th percentile among similar plans. Xxx noted that the goal is to move over the long term toward the management approach of private pension plans. Xxx emphasized that “this is a contract; the University is not going to back out,” and that it is highly unlikely that any future Board of Curators would change that policy. Noted that while UM is in good shape for capital funding, but the operating budget is still tight.
Announcements
President Linville reminded members that MURA needs a newsletter editor, newsletter designer, and education committee chair or co-chairs. The next breakfast will be held April 4 next breakfast, and the spring social will be on April 10.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Licklider
MURA Board Secretary