Volunteer Center
All Volunteer Center articles are collected here.
Mike Austin puts his knowledge to good use as a volunteerUMRA member Mike Austin is taking full advantage of his retirement to volunteer in a variety of activities, travel, and learn a new language. He says, “I have the time, I have the ability, and I get bored sitting around.” Published:More... |
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URVC Leadership Council welcomes two new membersThe 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. Published:More... |
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Spring volunteer opportunities in the community and on the Twin Cities campusWorking with Great River Greening, the Silver Gopher Service Corps is recruiting volunteers to photograph plants, insects, and critters and then crowdsource species identification with the iNaturalist app. Published:More... |
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Andy Phelan enjoys keeping his mind active during tax seasonFor the past six years, UMRA member Andrew “Andy” Phelan has been part of the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide team of volunteers that provides free tax assistance and preparation service to millions of taxpayers throughout the United States. Published:More... |
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Variety and flexibility suit himUMRA member Scott Elton started volunteering with Habitat for Humanity eight years before he retired from the University in 2016. Photo by Dennis Chick. Published:More... |
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Silver Gopher Service Corps by the numbersUMRA members have logged nearly 200 hours of volunteer service to the University and broader community through the Silver Gopher Service Corps since its launch six months ago. Published:More... |
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Campus Sneak Preview DaysSneak Preview Days have been happening at the University for many years. This year, adding 18 UMRA Silver Gopher Service Corps volunteers put a new twist on the welcome. Who better to provide a friendly greeting and lend a helping hand than those of us who have spent our careers at the University? Published:More... |
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Silver Gophers volunteer to help children experiencing food insecurityNearly 20 members of UMRA’s Silver Gopher Service Corps met as a team in mid-April to pack food for school children facing food insecurity at home in Minnesota. The food-packing event, held at the Every Meal Volunteer Center in Roseville, was superbly organized. It felt “good to be involved in a worthy cause,” said Clif Ware, one of the volunteers. Published:More... |
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Silver Gopher Service Corps steps up to help fill the Class of 2027An enthusiastic group of stalwart retirees trudged through snow, ice, and wind to greet future students and their families on the University’s first-ever Newly Admitted Students Welcome Day, hosted by the Office of Admissions. Published:More... |
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Join the Silver Gopher Service CorpsService to the University and community is a key element in UMRA’s mission, and our members have frequently asked about opportunities to team up with colleagues on activities. In response to these queries, UMRA’s new “Silver Gopher Service Corps” is making its debut in April. Published:More... |
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Finding purpose through volunteeringOf all her volunteer experiences, Jeanne Jacobson says she especially finds satisfaction in seeing students learn and come to belong to their communities. Published:More... |
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For Terry Smith, volunteering is both selfish and selflessAfter 40 years at 3M, Terry Smith retired and put his science and language talents to work as a tutor. His volunteering also reflects his other passions: cooking, food availability, and food waste. Published:More... |
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A 'powerfully gentle' leaderUMRA Past President Jerry Rinehart retired from the University as vice provost and dean of students. He is admired for being a “powerfully gentle” leader, and he continues to be an exemplar of service to others. Published:More... |
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International Institute welcomes retiree volunteersLeaders of the University Retirees Volunteer Center have identified an important volunteer opportunity at the International Institute of Minnesota: helping refugees and asylum seekers complete the complicated paperwork required for visa applications and becoming U.S. citizens. Published:More... |
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An exceptional postlude to a long careerDavid Hunter, M.D., retired U of M Medical School professor and interventional radiologist, typically volunteers more than 200 hours annually by participating in University Retirees Volunteer Center opportunities, including Help at Your Door and Academic Integrity Matters. Published:More... |
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