OSURA Board Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2014
Cascade Hall, OSU
Present: Roy Arnold , Sue Borden, Jack Drexler, Barbara Moon (recorder), Tom McClintock, Gerry Olson
(presiding), Gordon Reistad, Tom Savage, Mary Alice Seville, Terri Tower, Tony Van Vliet, Jack Walstad,
Shari Brumbach
President Gerry Olson called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.
Approval of Minutes: The September 5, 2014 minutes were approved as distributed.
Treasurer’s Report: Cheryl Lyons reported through Gerry that we had 7 new memberships. Only 4 of the 6
scholarships were paid out so far and there were questions about the reasons for this. Since August 2 contributions
were made to the scholarship fund for a total of $600. Gerry suggested that we should send a thank you note to the
contributors. To date, we have fewer than 100 paid memberships listed and discussion ensued about how to remind
people to renew their memberships. Shari Brumbach distributed a current list of paid members, noting that some
who we know are members are not listed, so this is to be considered a minimum number to date. We will try to get a
more accurate count before out next meeting.
Gerry Olson commented on the budget. $380 will come out for stamps this year, rather than from our last year’s
allocation. The AROHE registration fee will also come out of this year’s budget. Our budget is being reduced by
$700 due to department budget cuts. So our state account amount is reduced to $5300.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Scholarship Committee: Gordon Reistad is looking for a couple more people to serve on the committee.
Communications: Terri Tower reported that University Events uses a proprietary program for the
newsletter, and as a result the OSURA newsletter editor can’t access the files directly to make changes. A
final draft is expected next week. She hopes to have it mailed out the 17th or 20th of October and it will be
a 6-page document. It might be best to do the winter edition electronically and the spring edition as hard
copy to encourage membership renewals.
Volunteers: Sue Borden said that Kathy Motley has taken over doing the volunteer recruitment and asked
for people to sign up for the fall career fair Oct. 22 and 23. Parking passes will be offered. Oct. 28-29
Training Days needs 3 volunteers each morning and afternoon. Flu clinics are Oct. 9 and 15 and no one
has contacted us yet for volunteers. The question of parking for volunteers was raised, and it was
suggested that groups who want OSURA volunteers may need to provide parking. Some, such as the
Career Fair, already do that.
Some discussion about parking ensued, and where we may have our meetings in the future. Shari
Brumbach will meet with people at the OSU Foundation to see if we can schedule the conference room.
Several board members expressed frustration at the lack of respect and devaluation of retirees. Tony Van
Vliet will check room availability and cost at the Presbyterian Church and Sue Borden will check on the
Methodist Church.
Old Business
Fall OSURA Kickoff: Tom Savage reported that the program at the Country Club went well, with 43 in
attendance. The speaker was well received. It might be good to have dessert included next time and to
start looking for a speaker very soon for next year. Many in attendance were guests. It is best not to have
it during University Day week or perhaps piggy back on to University Day. Gerry asked for volunteers to
work on the committee for this and the goal is to establish this committee by Janaury.
Follow up from discussion with Donna Chastain:
-Retirees packet: include a postcard or note to request permission to contact them in the future.
Gordon Reistad would like to see all retirees offered a free one-year membership. Tom
McClintock moved that we offer a one year free membership to all retirees and Gordon Reistad
seconded the motion. Motion carried. We need to contact Donna to see what form our information
will take and how it is distributed. Terri, Sue, Gordon and Dave will help Gerry work on this.
-Ideas for improved communication: a poster, contact with the employees union (SEIU). There used to be
a faculty senate retirement committee. These ideas were tabled until after the group talks with Donna
Chastain. Business cards might also be a good idea. This idea was favorably received and Gerry will work
with Shari on this.
NW Regional Conference Report- written report was shared with the board. Gerry also showed some
photos from the conference. She and Tom Savage highlighted the bulleted ideas for possible
implementation.
Gordon Reistad suggested that a valuable service would be to serve on award committees. He is interested
in volunteer activities that use our minds and expertise. Tony Van Vliet also suggested that mentoring of
faculty is another service we could provide.
Goals for 2014-15: The goals from the September retreat were summarized in written form.
New Business
Speakers for future board meetings were suggested: Steve Clark, Karen Hooker, Jonathan Stoll,
Susie Brubaker Cole, Sabah Randawah, faculty Senate president or Vicki Nunnemaker, Jock Mills
Tony Van Vliet said that the ad hoc golf group is going and many are interested. Also, the travel interest
group will meet this fall.
Gordon Reistad asked that the goals be placed on the agenda again for next meeting.
Announcements
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Moon
Next meetings:
November 7
December 5
January 9
February 6
March 6
April 3
May 1
May 6 annual meeting