Help wanted: JOIE editor
Did you know the Retirees Association has its own open access, electronic journal? It’s called the Journal of Opinions, Ideas, and Essays or JOIE, and UMRA is looking for a qualified volunteer to become the new editor-in-chief.
Are you interested in reading a wide range of material? Do you find yourself critiquing what you read, thinking of ways to present it better? Do you like working with people? Do you like working on tasks that require judgment and organization? Maybe this is a position for you.
Sponsored by UMRA and supported by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing Services, JOIE has been publishing articles by retired and active U of M faculty and staff since 2011. Articles may be aimed at a broad, general audience or a more specialized readership. Topics range from University history, personal stories, and literary critiques to health issues, poetry—even a photo essay.
As an electronic journal, JOIE can accommodate graphics and illustrations in ways that traditional journals often cannot.
UMRA has an editorial committee but needs an editor-in-chief to take the lead in moving JOIE forward. Many potential authors are waiting in the wings.
For more information including a copy of the job description, please contact Will Craig at [email protected].
—Will Craig, UMRA Board member
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.