Service and Outreach

When getting around becomes difficult

If you have given up your car, or if driving at night is a challenge, you can still enjoy concerts—in your own living room. Start by requesting email delivery of Ostinato, the School of Music electronic newsletter to receive information on upcoming SOM events and note which ones are live-streamed.

Volunteer opportunity— Help high school debaters become more effective communicators

Want to learn (or brush up on) skills as a debate judge? The Minnesota Urban Debate League, which sponsors the fall high school debate season, needs volunteer judges for final weekend tournaments through November and early December. No prior experience is needed; training and a meal will be provided. Here's a chance to give teenage speakers valuable feedback about improving skills in critical thinking, public speaking, and effective communication.  

Professional Development Grants for Retirees—Time to apply!

Need some financial help for a research or creative project you’d like to undertake or complete? The Professional Development Grants for Retirees (PDGR) program has transitioned to a new, online-only application process. The application deadline is December 15. 

From the Cares Bookshelf

Letters from Madelyn: Chronicles of a Caregiver recounts the difficulties of managing caregiving in a true story that reveals the character of a caregiver who must contend with every emotion, yet manage this stage of life with growth, grace, and humor. If you worry about the headaches and traumas of wearing out together, especially as a member of an intimate pair, you will find this book relevant and comforting.  

UMRA grant brings magnificent textile collection to light

Thanks to an award from UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees (PDGR) program, Regents Professor Emerita Joanne Eicher’s collection of more than 500 African textiles can now be viewed through a U of M online database.

Volunteer opportunity: Become an AARP tax-aide

Do you enjoy working with numbers and helping people? You can do both, by joining AARP's tax-aide program—the nation's largest volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service. You will be helping seniors, low-income, disabled, and other disadvantaged taxpayers at a site near you. Choose to be a Preparer/Counselor, Document Facilitator, or Technical Supporter. AARP provides everything you need—and you need neither tax experience nor AARP membership to join. 

Planning for a meaningful retirement: Thoughts from the Cares Committee

One way to decide how you will spend your retirement is to think of it as a question of the meaning of life. Think back on your life and what made it meaningful. Make a list of your values and your options and then brainstorm. If you read the research literature on happiness, you will find that deep happiness comes not from pleasure-seeking, but from helping others.

What can caring for others do for you? 

URVC celebrates 30th anniversary

Congratulations to the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) as they celebrate 30 years of service this year. Beginning as an UMRA committee, URVC has grown and is now a national model for other universities. Last year, 325 URVC volunteers logged an all-time high of 9,640 hours. URVC invites UMRA members to volunteer for rewarding, fulfilling experiences in giving back or paying it forward.

Help Wanted: Cares Committee seeks new members

UMRA Cares Committee seeks new members to assist workshop development and important communication work. Those of you who’ve experienced the Cares Committee’s outreach at a time of serious illness or loss know the important role filled by these caring members.

To volunteer, all Ron Anderson, Cares Committee Chair at 612-963-6660 or email him at [email protected]

Care Guide program is suspended

Care Guides are a small group of volunteers who were trained by the late Dr. Robert Kane, director of the U of M Center on Aging. The guides were started to assist UMRA members in locating resources to manage unexpected long or short hospital stays or the challenges of providing caregiving to family members with serious health problems. 

Professional Development Grants for Retirees- a program worthy of your support

Do you have a scholarly project you would like to finish with the support of a small grant? Or a new project you would like to start? Then you might want to consider applying for a grant from the Professional Development Grants for Retirees (PDGR) program.

Voter Registration Volunteers Needed

Neighborhood House / Wellstone Foundation is initiating a voter registration opportunity in tandem with its Mass Produce Distribution events in an effort to promote community resources when residents congregate. Here is a chance to contribute to higher voter turnout and foster the democratic process.

Red Cross Front Desk Support

The Minneapolis Red Cross main office – 1201 West River Parkway – (near the Guthrie) serves many functions of this valuable service organization. The position requires a regular 3 – 4 hour weekly shift. 

Tactile Acuity Research For Aging Piano Players

The purpose of this study is to determine whether you, a piano player, have not had a decline in your sense of touch. Your participation is welcomed if you are between ages 55 to 75 AND have been a long-term piano player.

Therapy Research for Post-Stroke

If you experienced a stroke in the past seven years, consider volunteering to participate in a research therapy project.