URVC celebrates 30th anniversary
This year, the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) celebrates 30 years of service to the University of Minnesota, community agencies, and retirees. What are its origins? UMRA, of course! In 1987, UMRA's Board of Directors established a Committee of Management for Volunteer Projects, led by Harlan Cleveland, School of Public Affairs emeritus, and Tommy Thompson, Continuing Education and Extension emeritus dean.
Outgrowing UMRA's management and finances, the committee was spun off as an autonomous unit attached to the University and given a new title. As URVC, it now resides with University Relations. Exceptional and unique to higher education, URVC has become a model for other institutions.
For the 2016-17 academic year, URVC logged an all-time high of 9,640 hours of service by 325 active volunteers. University units served include the Academic Health Center, College of Liberal Arts, Institute for Advanced Studies, Minnesota English Language Program, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Northrop, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, School of Music, Theater Arts and Dance Department, and University Hospitals. Our members have also participated in at least eight senior health research projects in departments such as Kinesiology, MRI Center, Neurology, Psychology, and Physical Therapy; and volunteers have served 38 community agencies and tutored for 20 schools, libraries, and community centers.
Thanks to all UMRA members who contribute to our volunteer projects. The potential for meeting society’s needs are limitless and becoming a volunteer will bring you great satisfaction and a healthier, happier life. URVC has many opportunities to offer you. Contact URVC at [email protected] to explore your interests.
--Alan L. Kagan, Project Director, URVC
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: