Two new volunteer opportunities
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) is seeking volunteers for a spatial localization study at the University and to staff the 2018–19 Lego Robotics Tournament, held at locations throughout the metro area.
Spatial localization is the ability to judge the direction of sounds and sights of objects in the environment. A major goal of the research is to investigate how impairments of vision and hearing impact this ability. Participants may have normal or impaired vision as well as normal or impaired hearing. The study takes approximately two hours. Testing will be done on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. in Elliott Hall through November 7 and from November 27 through January 15.
The Lego Robotics Tournament offers a very different opportunity. Judges, referees, and scoring coordinators are needed for the First Lego League (grades 4–9) and the First Tech Challenge (grades 7–12) events. Tournaments begin November 10 and continue through February 23. Onsite training will be provided for non-technical roles.
If either of these options appeals to your desire to be helpful, contact URVC at [email protected] or call 612-625-8016.
—John Anderson, chair, URVC board
News
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.
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.
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.
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: