Final call for UMRA Board nominations
One last reminder that we are looking for your suggestions for candidates to serve on the UMRA Board—primarily president-elect, who serves as program chair before becoming president; secretary; and up to five directors. The Board meets monthly from September through May, and directors serve three-year terms.
If you know of any UMRA member who might be willing to step up to a leadership role, please contact Julie Sweitzer, Nominating Committee chair, at [email protected]. And yes, that someone could be you!
The Nominating Committee is formed based on the UMRA Bylaws. This year, it consists of the immediate past president as chair (Julie Sweitzer), president-elect (Sally Kohlstedt), URVC Council Chair (Jerry Rinehart), two current board members (John Bantle and Kate Maple), and three non-board members (Kay Louis, who greets you at luncheon forums; Will Craig, who helps plan special events, and Jeanne Markell, who runs the UMRA Cares Committee.)
The slate of nominees will be presented to the Executive Committee and Board for approval at their March meetings.
Information about the nominees will appear in the May UMRA newsletter and in an email about our online election process.
You can find position descriptions at umra.umn.edu > Resources > Governance and Operating Documents > UMRA Bylaws 2-2023.
—Julie Sweitzer, UMRA Nominating Committee chair and past president (2024–25)
News
UMRA hosted delegates from 14 of the 18 schools in the Big Ten for the 2026 Big Ten Retirees Association conference in July. It was described as “the perfect collaboration” by two delegates we invited to share a few of their key takeaways from the conference.
Developing communication skills is the focus of two programs needing volunteers this fall: the “Reader/Writer Program,” assisting students in Minneapolis Public Schools grades 7-12 to develop literacy skills; and “Partners in English,” engaging in conversation with adults for whom English is not their first language.
After being unexpectedly sidelined at the outset of her retirement, Pam Snopl now enjoys doing many of the things retirees get to do, including reconnecting in person with family and friends, going to museums and weekday Minnesota Twins games, reading, and writing.
UMRA member George Swan retired in 2021 after 30+ years at University Libraries, but still returns to campus to visit one or another of the libraries at least twice a week in his current role as a student/retiree.
UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees program is an annual competition for grants to support projects related to retirees’ research, instructional history, new scholarly or creative interests.
UMRA needs everyone to renew their membership for the coming year. Thank you if you’ve already renewed! If you haven’t, please renew right away.