Monthly Forums and Workshops

UMRA's monthly programs typically include a speaker forum followed by a workshop. We're excited about the new meeting location in the West Wing Dining Room.  It is a spacious and sunny venue, providing an improved 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 over lunch (except November and May, which are on the third Tuesday). The 2019-20 schedule is listed below.

Luncheon & Forum:  11:30 - 1:00 pm
Campus Club West Wing

Living Well Workshop:  1:30 - 2:30 pm
Dale Shephard Room

Sept. 24, 2019: 
Luncheon + Forum: 
Jack Zipes, PDGR grant recipient
Charles Godfrey Leland and his magical tales
Living Well Workshop: 
Educational opportunities for retirees at the University of Minnesota

Oct. 22, 2019:
Luncheon + Forum: Professor Doug Yee,
Director, Univeristy of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center
Current developments in cancer research
Living Well Workshop: 
U of M Office of Human Resources
Health Care Options for 2020

Nov. 19, 2019: 
Luncheon + Forum:
Joan T.A. Gabel, president
University of Minnesota

Living Well Workshop: 
Helen Carlson, Tamara Statz, 
School of Nursing, and students
A Dialogue Between Generations

Jan. 28, 2020:
Luncheon + Forum:  John Suzukida
VP of Global Marketing and Strategy for Trane Company 
Internment in American concentration camps during WW II
Living Well Workshop: 
TBD

Feb. 24, 2020:
Luncheon + Forum:  TBD
Living Well Workshop: 
a panel discussion led by Ron Anderson
Finding the Best Long-Term Care Facility

Monthly meetings and speakers: UMRA meetings are held at the Campus Club the fourth Tuesday of each month September through May, except for December.

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.

Living Well Workshop: 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.