Monthly Forums and Workshops

UMRA's monthly programs typically include a speaker forum followed by a workshop. We're excited about the variation in meeting times and locations as we explore options to increase capacity and improve participant experience at UMRA’s monthly gatherings. 

UMRA meetings include food and require reservations.  All meetings are scheduled for the 4th Tuesday of the month, some over lunch while others are afternoon buffets.  The 2018-19 schedule is listed below.

Sept. 24, 2019: Noon in West Wing
Speaker:  TBD
Workshop:  No Workshop

Oct. 22, 2019: Noon in West Wing
Speaker:  Professor Doug Yee,
Director Masonic Cancer Center.
Current developments in cancer research.
Workshop:  1:30-2:30
UM Human Resources Department,
Health Care Options for 2020

Nov. 19, 2019: Noon in West Wing
Speakers: Professional Development Grant recipients
Research Presentations
Workshop:  1:30 - 2:30
Helen Carlson, Tamara Statz,
School of Nursing, and students
A Dialogue Between Generations

Jan. 28, 2020: Noon in West Wing
Speaker:  John Suzukida.
VP of Global Marketing and Strategy for Trane Company. 
Internment in American concentration camps during WW II
Workshop:  1:30 - 2:30
TBD

Feb. 24, 2020: Noon in West Wing
Speaker:  TBD
Workshop:  1:30 - 2:30
a panel discussion led by Ron Anderson
Finding the Best Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF)

Luncheons and speakers: 

Monthly meetings and speakers: UMRA meetings are held at the Campus Club the fourth Tuesday of each month September through May, except for December. As noted above, in 2018-19 these sessions will alternate between luncheon meetings (11:30-1:00 luncheon/speaker; 1:30-3:00 Workshop),  and late afternoon meetings (3:00-4:00 Workshop, 4:00-6:00 appetizer buffet/speaker.

Invited speakers from within and outside the University address a variety of scholarly, informative, and entertaining topics. These gatherings allow members to renew long-standing friendships with former colleagues, make new acquaintances, and strengthen a sense of connection with the University community. Reservations and a $23 fee to cover food expenses  (make reservations) are required. An optional coffee hour (no charge) begins at 10:30 on days of luncheon meetings.

Workshops: A workshop in conjunction with most of our luncheon meetings. Workshops are generally designed to be highly interactive. There is no fee for workshops, and you need not have attended the luncheon to participate. Sample recent workshop topics have included housing alternatives, financial planning, long-term care, photography, and caregiving.

Annual meeting: The final monthly meeting of the year, in May, is considered to be our annual gala social event, an expanded menu and an especially entertaining program. UMRA officers hold a brief business meeting, and the membership elects new association officers and board members to lead the next year’s activities. There is no May workshop.

Governance meetings: The Executive Committee and the Board meet most months during the academic year; other committees meet as needed.

Other: Clubs and special interest groups are informal, self-governing groupings of UMRA members who share a common interest. Our various groups can be found under Activities. Social events in addition to the luncheons are organized on an occasional basis and publicized through the newsletter or emails to the membership.