VOLUNTEER CENTER

Join the Silver Gopher Service Corps

Service to the University and community is a key element in UMRA’s mission, and our members have frequently asked about opportunities to team up with colleagues on activities. In response to these queries, UMRA’s new “Silver Gopher Service Corps” will be making its debut in April.

The debut coincides with this year’s month of service initiative promoted by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA). Launched as a “Day of Service” in 2015 as a way for alumni and others to serve the community, this program has grown into a month-long activity.

URVC leaders Jerry Rinehart and Deanne Magnusson together with Will Craig, UMRA’s liaison to UMAA, have developed three team-oriented projects for this year.

On April 1, assisting the U’s Office of Admissions with the Future Gophers: Newly Admitted Students Welcome Day. Volunteers will be stationed throughout the Twin Cities campus to help greet and direct 2,300+ students and their families.

On April 20, we are engaging with the Twin Cities-based nonprofit Every Meal to pack take-home bags with nutritious food for elementary school students facing weekend food insecurity.

We are also participating with the Great River Greening project, which involves removing invasive species and planting native trees, flowers, and grasses. Dates TBD.

To solidify the team aspect of these projects and to enhance UMRA’s visibility as a service organization in the community, UMRA participants will have the opportunity to purchase Silver Gopher Service Corps t-shirts for $15 each.

Detailed information about these and more “Service Day” volunteer opportunities, including History Day Judging and Mock Jury Trials, will be emailed via the UMRA-MEMBERS Listserv and posted on the URVC website at urvc.umn.edu.

You can also go to the UMAA website for information about Minnesota, national, and international volunteer opportunities during the month of April. Search for Day of Service and, if you register to volunteer, please indicate that you are a “University Retiree” (if applicable) and UMAA will tally our participation.

Questions? Contact Jerry Rinehart at [email protected], Deanne Magnusson at [email protected], or Will Craig at [email protected].


Published:

News

Meet UMRA member Millie Woodbury, a lifelong world traveler whose favorite place on campus is Aisle C, Seat 24, at Northrop Auditorium. 

Published:

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. 

Published:

Many of us are busy switching from using our UMN email to another email account – or at least contemplating how to go about it. This Tips & Tricks article highlights several key steps you may want to take, or need to take, as you make this change. Instructions are also included for making this change to your UMRA account login and UMRA member communications.

Published:

The 2024 PDGR grants have been decided and awarded.  Seven grants were awarded to a variety of worthy studies.

Published:

UMRA’s mission is, in part, that of advocating for the University. There are several ways to show that support to your elected officials, including emails, phone calls, visits to your elected representatives, and rallies coordinated by the U.  

Published:

Meet UMRA member Julie Westlund. She retired as the director of UMD Career and Internship Services, a position she enjoyed for 30-plus years—serving students and doing meaningful work to make a difference in their lives.  

Published:

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is offering a free, online lecture series this spring to showcase work and research taking place at the U, with topics ranging from cancer treatment to awesome apples and design in everyday objects.

Published:

Working with Great River Greening, the Silver Gopher Service Corps is recruiting volunteers to photograph plants, insects, and critters and then crowdsource species identification with the iNaturalist app.

Published:

UMRA members now have two convenient online giving options for making donations to support UMRA programs and activities.

Published:

UMRA runs on volunteers. The Program Committee is a great way to have an impact with a very reasonable time commitment. 

Published:

The Nominating Committee invites you to contribute to UMRA by volunteering to run for election to serve on UMRA’s Board of Directors or by nominating someone else who would add value and perspective to our organization.

Published: