Vital Retirement:
Creating Impact with Your Retirees
• Diana McClay, Associate Director, Human Resources, East Tennessee
State University
• Connie Baskette, Executive Director, Benefits and Retirement, The
University of Tennessee
• Brian Roe, Benefits Specialist, Benefits and Retirement, The University
of Tennessee
• Richard Ashley, Training Manager, East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University
“Home of the Buccaneers”
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Located in scenic Johnson City, TN
Offers more than 100 undergraduate,
60 master’s and 11 doctoral programs
including a College of Medicine and
College of Pharmacy
Numbers
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2,133 employees
724 faculty
1,409 staff
>12,100 students
Human Resources Office
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Located in Knoxville, TN
• Offers more than 300 degree programs
• Enrollment
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26,400 (20,400 Undergraduate & 6,000 Graduate)
8,300 Faculty & Staff
1,400 Instructional Faculty
300,000 Alumni
• 550 Acres, 220 Buildings
Accreditation
• UT is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award
baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Ayres Hall
Objectives
• Describe the need for retiree associations
• Describe the benefits of establishing a retirees
association
• Understand how retiree programs operate at
East Tennessee State University and the
University of Tennessee
• Return to your institution and establish a retirees
association
The need for
retiree associations
1. More Retirees! Labor force projections (Census
Bureau)
• Labor force continues to age over next 10 years
• Aging of the Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)
• In 2014 this age group will be 50-68 years old
• 2004-2014 the annual growth rate of 55+ group
projected to be 4.1% or 4x the rate of growth of the
overall labor force
• In contrast: 25-54 year age group growth rate of
.3%; 16-24 year age group growth rate flat
The need for
retiree associations
2. More Retirees wanting more: AARP survey
(1999)
• 8 in 10 Baby Boomers plan to work part-time during
retirement;
• More than a third will work part-time for interest and
enjoyment;
• Close to half will devote more time to community
service or volunteer activities;
• Seven in ten expect to have a hobby or special interest;
• Boredom and isolation are not seen as problems
The need for
retiree associations
3. More retirees wanting/needing services for a
longer time!
• Life expectancy in the U.S.: 77.71 yrs.
• 74.89 years male
• 80.67 years female
The need for
retiree associations
4. Increased need for maintaining contact with retirees
• Boomers want information
• More decisions: Medicare, Social Security, Retirement, Health
Insurance, Long-term care, etc.
• Retirees want work and volunteer opportunities
• Retirees want social activities/travel opportunities/institutional
updates/educational opportunities
• “Brain Drain” for institutions
• Significant shortage in qualified employees due to retiring
baby boomers and fewer workers with advanced skills
• Service opportunities and fund raising for institution
The Benefits of a
retirees association
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Temporary and volunteer workforce
Phased retirement for faculty
Service/Mentoring workforce
Continued social contact/involvement
Communication vehicle
• Between the institution and retirees
• Between the institution, legislators, vendors
Good will
Fundraising
Public Relations
ETSU Retirees Association
History
• June 1986 ad hoc task force initiated by the university president
• Objectives: survey retirees for level of interest; draft
association objectives and by-laws; present proposal; assist in
the formation of association
• Initially sponsored by Development Office/reassigned to HR in
1987
• November 1987 Organizational Meeting and Luncheon
• Open to all retirees – university hosted event/meal
• Adoption of By-laws
• Election of Board members
• December 1, 1987 First Board Meeting
• January 1992 Scholarship Endowment established
Scholarships for deserving students
ETSU Retirees Association
Purpose
• To provide opportunities for continuing social
contact
• To provide a vehicle for communication
between the University and retirees
• To assist the University
in carrying out its
objectives and policies
ETSU Retirees Association
Current
Board Structure
• 12 voting retiree members (three year terms)
• 1 voting member from university administration
• Officers: President, President-Elect, Secretary,
Treasurer
ETSU Retirees Association
Current
Sponsored by Office of Human Resources
• Associate Director HR, Liaison
• Senior Human Resource Assistantsecretarial/technical support
• No dedicated space/use HR office facilities
• Access database (>750 retirees and spouses)
• Special mailings
• Quarterly Newsletter
• Special Event Flyers
• New Retiree Packets (for recruitment)
ETSU Retirees Association
Current
Committee Structure
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Executive Committee
Membership Committee
Finance Committee
Program Committee
Communications Committee
Liaison Committee
Service Committee
ETSU Retirees Association
Current
Budget
• No university seed money. Funds
generated from membership fees and
interest
• Human Resources provides staffing,
supplies, paper, printing, miscellaneous
expenses
• Retirees pay for mailing costs
ETSU Retirees Association
Current
Budget (continued)
• Four Accounts:
• Operating Fund Account:
$5 individual yearly membership
• Life Membership account: $100 individual; $150 retiree/spouse
• Scholarship Endowment Investment Account: Funds invested by the
university
• Endowment Interest Income Account: interest from the Scholarship
Account. Monies distributed yearly through student scholarships
Activities
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ETSU Retirees Association
Current
Annual Meeting/Luncheon
Annual Picnic
Three yearly “Eat and Chats”
Sponsor special events
Publication of Quarterly Newsletter
Scrapbook and Archive submissions
Sponsor travel opportunities (local and oversees)
Retirees Website
Sponsor Fund Raising (over $100,000 balance)
ETSU Retirees Association
Current
Activities (continued)
• Garage Sale supporting Career Skills Enhancement Program
($1000 donation)
• Volunteering
• SGA, Homecoming, Appalachian Fair, Pride Week, athletic
events
• Tutor athletes
• Campus offices (list in HR)
• Training for staff/faculty
• Advocacy: contact with legislators, state government agencies
• Public Relations: TV and radio interviews
• History: Tales of the University, gather tales and stories about
university life
ETSU Retirees Association
Current
Benefits of Association Membership
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Athletic event discounts
Campus Fitness Center
Free dental cleanings
Free campus publications
Free university photo ID
Access to university libraries
University Bookstore discounts
Education Assistance provided through State programs
Free campus parking
ETSU Retirees Association
Future
• Retirement and Benefits Seminar for Potential Retirees
• In-conjunction with HR
• Workshops
• Mailings
• Mentoring
• New Position Request: Benefits/Retirement Counselor
• Continued and expanded association with AROHE
(Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher
Education) and the Higher Education Statewide
Retirees Group
• Email Contact List
Retirees’ Association
HISTORY
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January 1979, Faculty Senate suggestion
March 1979, By-Laws presented to Chancellor
October 1979, Chancellor endorses
January 1980, Constitution approved
Retirees’ Association
HISTORY
• Named UTKRA (University of Tennessee,
Knoxville Retirees’ Association)
• September 1990, name changed to UTRA
(University of Tennessee Retirees’ Association)
Retirees’ Association
OBJECTIVES
• To provide social opportunities for retirees and their
families
• To provide for the exchange of information between
the university and its retirees
• To identify and resolve problems of retirees of the
University of Tennessee
Retirees’ Association
BOARD
• 6 voting retiree members
• 1 voting member from university administration (HR)
• Officers
• President
• President-Elect
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
Retirees’ Association
LIAISON
• Sponsored by Human Resource Office of Benefits and
Retirement
• Executive Director, Liaison
• Benefits Specialist, Sponsor/Technical Support
Retirees’ Association
OFFICE
• Dedicated Space within UT Conference Center
Building
Retirees’ Association
OFFICE
• Retiree’s Office
• Manned 9 – 12, M – F
• Volunteers from the UTRA (average one day a month)
• Been open every working day for over a year
• Card file of all members with contact info
Retirees’ Association
NOTIFICATION
• Notifying prospective members
• Brochures enclosed in the retirement confirmation
letter
• Word of mouth
• Receptions
• Office volunteer’s calling
• Picnic
Retirees’ Association
REVENUE
• Generating revenues
• $5,000 allocated from Benefits Office budget
• $5 per year for membership
• $40 lifetime membership
Retirees’ Association
OPPORTUNITIES
• Why join?
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Trips (Networking)
Luncheons (Networking)
Meetings (Networking)
Newsletter (Networking)
Additional benefits
Retirees’ Association
OPPORTUNITIES
• Bus trip to Biltmore Estate – Asheville, NC
Retirees’ Association
UNIVERSITY TIES
• What’s in it for UT?
• Scholarship
• Campus Chest participation
• Cadre of individuals with ties to the university who
are willing to do almost anything that is asked
Retirees’ Association
FUTURE GOALS
• Emeritus college
• Identify expertise
• Guest lecturers
• Spin off interest groups
• AROHE biennial conference representation
• Collaboration with Tennessee Board of Regents
and UT campuses retiree boards
Next Steps:
Establish a Vital Retirees Association
1. Identify Retiree Interest and Support
2. Identify Institutional Support—monetarily
and administratively
3. Purpose
4. Structure
5. Operating Procedures, by-laws, constitution
6. Activities
Next Steps:
Establish a Vital Retirees Association
7. Next Steps – Starter Kit
8. Websites
• www.tennessee.edu/retirees
• www.etsu.edu/humanres/etsura.htm
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AROHE www.arohe.org
Questions and Answers
It has been our
pleasure!!!