Triple match? Time to give? Expiring soon?
Where did such outrageous offers originate? It seems that fundraising just goes to incredible lengths at the turn of the year. Now, for some relief—the University Retirees Volunteer Center does not ask for your money, but instead seeks generous patrons who will contribute time. And if you want to double or triple your volunteer gift from 2016, that is simply up to you. Perhaps you can find a friend to volunteer with you—to “match or multiply” that wonderful gift.
Consider a 2017 New Year’s Resolution! Give a little of your valuable time for the good deed of volunteering for a project to help the less fortunate. Here are a few suggestions for your consideration, but if they don’t meet your concept for what you can best contribute, just check in with URVC at [email protected], where you can submit a Volunteer Profile. We will try our best to find an opportunity to match your valued services.
1) Become a “phone companion” for the many isolated seniors in our community with few or any family or friends. You can do this from your home phone. This is a project of Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. (Contact URVC.)
2) Open Arms of Minnesota prepares meals in its “state-of-the-art” kitchen with volunteers and professional staff. Volunteers deliver the meals to clients. Whether you enjoy kitchen duties or driving a short route, your work is greatly needed. A typical shift is two hours. Contact URVC for additional information.
3) Be a Volunteer Leader for produce and grocery distribution at selected schools and other locations for families. This is a project of Second Harvest Heartland. (Contact URVC.)
4) “Friendly Visitors” are matched with senior citizens in West Metro to visit weekly, or receive training as a “Memory Companion” to visit those with mild to moderate memory loss (giving caregivers a break). These are rewarding opportunities for a caring volunteer. (Contact URVC.)
These are only a few of the many potential projects in which you can engage in the new year. These particular opportunities are chosen because they are purposely focused on meeting the needs of those in our community who are underserved. Contact URVC to see what fits for you.
Alan L. Kagan, Project Director,
University Retirees Volunteer Center
[email protected]
News
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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.
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.
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.
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: