If you’re new to an organization like UMRA, have been a member for a while but haven’t been involved much lately, or have recently lost a spouse or partner, attending a large event can feel overwhelming. You may think, “What if I don’t know anyone?” “Who will I sit with for have lunch?” “What if I don’t have anything in common with the people I meet?” If that rings a bell for you, UMRA’s interest groups, social activities, and University Retirees Volunteer Center offer a range of opportunities for trying something new, continuing to learn, and meeting others who share your interests. 

Our September 20 Living Well Workshop via Zoom will feature UMRA members who have started and convened some of our interest groups. They’ll give us a taste of what happens in their group and what they get out of exploring this interest with others.

Shared interests

UMRA members have found ways to get together around many shared interests: reading and reflecting on books together, hiking, taking photographs, armchair travel, researching family history, becoming better informed and more skilled at managing personal finance, volunteering in the community, traveling abroad with other U of M retirees, visiting local and regional points of interest.

These interest groups, social activities, and volunteer opportunities are open to all UMRA members and are free in the best sense of the word. You can participate in as few or as many as you like, with no long-term obligation. It’s a great, low-key way to get acquainted with others and share the joy of new experiences.

Might you have an idea for an interest group you’d like to propose or organize? The workshop will also be an opportunity to learn how to start a new UMRA interest group and get tips from the leaders who’ve done it. The ideas are limited only by the enormous diversity of interests of UMRA’s members.

Please register for this Zoom webinar and join us from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20.

—Jan Morlock, UMRA past president