International Institute welcomes retiree volunteers
Jane Graupman’s September UMRA Forum presentation on the International Institute of Minnesota concluded with an enthusiastic call for volunteers. The Institute, as Executive Director Graupman described, provides critical support services for immigrants and refugees. Importantly, Graupman stated that retirees have long played a significant role assisting in these areas.
In following up with her comment, “We love retirees …” leaders of the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) met with the Institute’s immigration services director, Corleen Smith, and identified an important area of need to serve as the initial focus for UMRA and URVC volunteers: helping refugees and asylum seekers complete the complicated paperwork required for visa applications and becoming U.S. citizens.
Because this opportunity involves an initial group session for volunteers to review questions and suggestions regarding how best to work with clients on the paperwork, this activity lends itself to our volunteers working together—a goal many have mentioned regarding their interest in volunteering. Full descriptions of the work, the times for the group sessions, client assistance times, and the preferred backgrounds and qualifications for volunteers are being developed. Check urvc.umn.edu for updates.
—Jerry Rinehart, URVC Management Committee chair, and Deanne Magnusson, URVC vice-chair and project director
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.
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.
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.
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:
Meet UMRA member Millie Woodbury, a lifelong world traveler whose favorite place on campus is Aisle C, Seat 24, at Northrop Auditorium.
Eight retirees from the Twin Cities and Morris campuses have been chosen to receive 2024 awards from UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees Program. As in previous years, their projects cover a diverse set of topics, reflecting the breadth of studies and continuing professional activities undertaken by University retirees.