2023-10 From the President: Are you engaged?

Are you engaged with all UMRA has to offer? Are you and your friends finding value in UMRA’s many activities, social events, forums, living well workshops, interest groups, and opportunities to serve in leadership and volunteer roles? 

If you are, that’s great! If you’re not, then I want to hear from you about ways we can better serve your interests—from social connections to intellectual learning to doing good for the common good in the community and for the University. 

I’ve talked with UMRA leaders, with our members, with people from other universities, and with leaders inside an international organization serving higher-ed retirement groups. Turns out that UMRA is at the higher levels of the activities we offer, but I believe we can do even more. What more can we do to help engage you in UMRA? Let a Board member know, or email me. 

For example, here are two ways to become more engaged by representing UMRA.

The University Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs is concerned with policies and procedures that influence the personal and professional welfare of the faculty and postdoctoral fellows/associates.

The Benefits Advisory Committee advises the University administration on benefit offerings common to non-represented employee groups.

Email me if you’re interested in representing UMRA.

UMRA has almost 850 members today. We added 122 new members in 2022 and are adding more at a healthy rate in 2023. Welcome new members when you see them at our forums. They usually have a yellow dot on their name tags. We also welcome spouses and partners to become full members, so invite them and invite University retiree friends you care about to join UMRA and to take part in all we have to offer. 

—Eric Hockert, UMRA president, [email protected]