Civic Engagement: An offer we can't refuse
Do you skip over the monthly URVC article when you see the “V” word? Are there more important matters than the needs of our community—or your own well-being? When we participate, we are engaged. We not only become intimate partners with those who use our skills, we become revitalized, mentally alert, psychologically uplifted, physically strengthened. You will live a fuller and longer life! Consider doing your part in the following projects:
Do you Ski or Snowboard? (At least “intermediate” level?) Would you wish to teach this winter activity to those with developmental disabilities? Richfield recreational Services is recruiting teachers for one-on-one on Thursday nights in January and February at Hyland Hills in Bloomington. No cost to you: lift tickets, rentals, and required training provided. For detailed information contact University retirees volunteer Center: [email protected]
New continuing Research Projects seek subjects:
- “Perception of Limb Movement” at Human Sensorimotor Control Lab (2nd stage study now open to stage 1 participants)
- MRI Brain study of control group to compare with Alzheimer Disease group
- “Attention and Memory in Older Adults” by Psychology Department
- “Intranasal Insulin Study” for those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s Disease at Health Partners Center for Memory and Aging
- “speech Intelligibility while Performing a Distractor Test” (control group to compare with Parkinson’s patients) at speech-Language-Hearing science
Contact University Retirees Volunteer Center for any of these projects: [email protected].
— Alan Kagan, project director for URVC
News
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: