In volunteer-run associations, especially those made up of retirees, turnover can be rapid and organizational amnesia problematic. Past policy decisions are easily forgotten; how-to expertise is lost as positions turn over; large gaps occur in written records; organization of those records that do exist is often haphazard; and important documents may reside only within individual members’ archives. The sudden departure of a key figure can cause disarray.

To address these issues, UMRA President Bill Donohue in October 2019 created a small task force to investigate and provide recommendations. The task force’s final report, reviewed and endorsed by the UMRA Board in February 2021, includes guidance for archiving materials, updating the website and key organizational documents, sustaining leadership in committees and interest groups, tracking and posting policy decisions, and documenting our organizational history. 

The Board also approved establishment of an Organizational Continuity Committee (OCC) to oversee the implementation of these recommendations. Chip Peterson and Jerry Rinehart are serving as co-chairs; the other members are Gary Engstrand, Cathy Lee Gierke, Jean Kinsey, Jan Morlock, and Julia Wallace. 

To maintain a vibrant organization

OCC activities during the coming months will include continuing efforts to assemble and standardize formats of UMRA Board policy decisions, working from the present back to our foundation in 1976. In addition, the committee will encourage and support the efforts of officers, committee chairs, and interest group leaders to develop “tool kits” for their positions to ease transitions and ensure that best practices are sustained. 

Another role for the OCC is to coordinate the collection of annual reports from UMRA leaders. These reports, in addition to helping orient leaders and new members, are essential in documenting UMRA’s activities and laying the groundwork for the eventual creation of an updated history of the organization. 

To maintain a vital and vibrant organization, we need to know where we’ve been, understand how we got to where we are today, and develop an infrastructure that supports informed decision-making and planning for the future.  

We wish to acknowledge and thank the members of the task force—especially Gloria Williams, retiring chair of the UMRA History Committee—for their expertise, many hours of work, and thoughtful contributions to this effort.

If you have suggestions or questions, please let us know.

—Chip Peterson and Jerry Rinehart, OCC co-chairs and UMRA past presidents, [email protected] and [email protected]