A new—and easy—way to check whether you have renewed your membership
Fall is approaching and UMRA needs everyone to renew their membership. New membership cards for 2024–25 were mailed by mid-August. The cards include the QR code you need to access one of the great benefits of UMRA membership: a discounted rate of $1 per hour in University parking facilities.
Now there is a new and easy way to see whether you have already renewed for the coming year. Look to the right of your name in the address field on page 12 of the September 2024 UMRA newsletter you received, and you will see a four-digit year. If you see "2025," it means you have renewed. If you see "2024," please renew now.
You can also check via the Member Portal menu on the UMRA website. Choose “Renew Membership” from the drop-down (login required). This will take you to a form that shows your membership information. Review and make changes if needed, then scroll down to the bottom of the form and click on “Save Changes & Renew” (even if you made no changes).
This click will take you to a form to complete your renewal. At the top of this form you’ll see a message telling you “Last Renewed on [date].” You can also scroll down to see a list of the “Past Membership Fees” you have paid. For 2024–25, the Renewal Fee is $40 for a single or $60 for a dual membership.
If it turns out that you have already renewed, thank you! If not, please complete the form and pay the renewal fee to assure your access to a great set of benefits and programs for the coming year!
—Ron Matross, UMRA Membership and Communication Committee chair
News
One last reminder that the Nominating Committee is looking for your suggestions for candidates to serve on the UMRA Board—primarily president-elect, who serves as Program Committee chair for one year before becoming president; secretary; and up to five directors. The Board meets monthly from September through May and directors serve three-year terms.
Volunteerism is declining across the country, and the University Retirees Volunteer Center is gearing up to help reverse the trend. Please be on the lookout for a short survey in February or March. URVC wants to hear about your interests, experiences, and suggestions related to volunteering.
Meet UMRA member Nanette Hanks, a fourth-generation Texan who has hiked the Camino de Santiago in Spain nearly 40 times! She’s going back in June, and still has a couple places left if you’d like to join the group she will be leading.
There are some relatively easy things you can do to help protect yourself against identity theft and online and telephone fraud. Here are some New Year’s resolutions to help make your 2026 a safe year.
The third of Marilynn Erickson's three stories about her family history. She wrote each story “to check out the verbal family stories and connect them to documentation and photos.”
This third story is about Scandal in the Graveyard.
The second of Marilynn Erickson's three stories about her family history. She wrote each story “to check out the verbal family stories and connect them to documentation and photos.”
This second story is about the Sea Wing disaster.