There is a category of very special volunteers who do the essential work of keeping UMRA ticking along—our board members and officers. As we turn the page to a new year, it’s time to plan how we’ll recruit and elect the volunteers who will lead UMRA from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. 

In January, a nominating committee will begin to develop a slate of nominees for election by all members attending UMRA’s annual meeting in May. The committee, chaired by the immediate past president (this year, that’s me), will include two current UMRA board members, three UMRA members who are not on the board, UMRA President-elect Eric Hockert, and the current leader of the University Retirees Volunteer Center, Jerry Rinehart. 

The committee’s job will be to find the best candidates for four at-large seats on the UMRA board and three officer positions: secretary, treasurer, and president-elect. Current President-elect Eric Hockert will automatically move into the top governing position. At-large directors are elected for three-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms. The UMRA secretary and treasurer are elected for one-year terms and may be nominated for re-election to subsequent terms. In February, look for a request for nominations, or, if you have suggestions you’d like to make now, send me a note at [email protected].

There are many pleasures in being past president of UMRA. The most important and maybe the most joyful job I have this year will be working as part of our nominating committee to bring forward the talented and inspiring people who will keep UMRA ticking along. With hundreds of fascinating and engaged members, I know we’ll succeed.

—Jan Morlock, UMRA past president and Nominating Committee chair