Oregon State University Retirement Association (OSURA)
Minutes of the Board Meeting
November 13, 2003
Present: Norma Barnhisel, Bill Brennan, Les Dunnington, David Eiseman, Kathy Heath, Ron
Lovell, Kathy Meddaugh, Jean Peters, Bill Wilkins
Absent: Gale Hazel
Peters and the board extended their sympathies to Gale Hazel for the loss of her father.
Approval of Board Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the October 20, 2003 board meeting
were approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Wilkins reported the current balance was $1,488.77.
Old Business:
Meeting with President – Peters reported on the meeting between President Ray and the
executive committee. The OSURA story to date was discussed and the Board’s feeling that there
is a need for institutionalization of the association. It would provide access to retirees and
hopefully, OSU mailing privileges. The group presented a certificate of honorary membership to
President Ed Ray and his wife, Beth. Peters will send him a letter of thanks for the meeting.
College of Education Tour November 19 – Wilkins reported few reservations but the tour will
go on as planned with board members urged to turn out. The group will meet in the Foundation
Building Parking lot at 12:45 p.m. Dunnington, Peters, and Heath will shuttle the group to
Education Hall. Brennan will be at Ed. Hall to greet and assist them to room 201. He will
introduce Sam Stern.
Web Site – Peters talked to Tina Chovenac, director of publications, to discover that work will
begin next week on designing the OSURA web site. Peters met with Alumni Association
Director Steve Smith and Asst. Director Scott Elmsheuser who were agreeable to having the
OSUAA website linked to OSURA’s home page. Further identification of the relationship
between the two organizations must await the re-writing of the A.A. by-laws this year. There has
not been a response from the Foundation as yet regarding website linkages.
February Seminar – Peters reported that the dates of February 4, 10, 25, 2004 have been chosen
for the “Retirement and Change” seminar to be co-sponsored by OSU H. R. And OSURA. It will
be held in the La Raza Theater of the MU from 10 a.m. to noon on those days. Meddaugh noted
that 700 pre-retirees will meet the criteria to attend, hence the need for three dates. Jackque
Rudolph, Director of Human Resources, will join Paul Biwan, H.R. training officer and an
OSURA Panel to present the program. Panelists will discuss their varied retirement problems and
strategies and audience participation will be encouraged. Although the seminar is open to
OSURA members, it is assumed that most attendees will be people on the verge of retiring.
After input from the Board, selection of the moderator and panelists will be left to Meddaugh
and Barnhisel.
January Newsletter – Lovell will interview Rudolph and Biwan in December (date and time to
be arranged by Meddaugh) and write an article for a special issue of the newsletter. He will send
copy to Hazel by the end of December and she will design the two page issue and have it to the
printer in time to be in members’ hands by January 15. At that time, Meddaugh will send an email discussing the seminar to the 700 people about to retire.
New Business
Program ideas – Wilkins suggested a tour of the new Hilton Garden Hotel. He proposed that
the board meet there in December to check out the place (and the food). The board agreed on
December 11 at 10 a.m. (if Wilkins can make arrangements). If a tour seems feasible, March 17
would be the preferred date. Heath suggested for this or any other activity, that board members
bring one or two friends to augment attendance.
Peters suggested a “state of the city” talk by Corvallis Mayor Helen Berg to be held at the new
fire station. The Spring picnic by the river and golf course tour are still possibilities. These
events and the annual meeting in May would round out the year.
Nominations: Dunnington presented his analysis of board member terms. The terms of three
members are up: Brennan, Hazel, Wilkins. Brennan is president-elect and it is hoped that Hazel
might be persuaded to continue. That leaves only Wilkins’ slot to be filled as he does not plan to
run again.
OSURA “Branding” – Brennan reported on the costs for having OSURA buttons and/or Tshirts made, perhaps for the Board but especially for the volunteers, to give greater visibility.
Costs are as follows: 100 - 3 inch buttons) two color on white)--$32 setup fee plus $1.60 per
button. T-shirts cotton or cotton blend – 20 @ $10 each, 50 @ $7.90, 100 @ $7.20, 144 @
$6.50. Polo style with the OSURA logo embroidered on them would be $15 each for blend and
$18.25 for cotton for 10 shirts with a $90 digitizing fee. The board deferred taking action on this
project at this time.
Emeriti Directory – Discussion deferred until Hazel returns.
Faculty Club—Wilkins referred to an informational memo he forwarded from Gary Beach,
Triads president regarding renewed interest in establishing an OSU Faculty Club. It was
recommended that it be more inclusive as an OSU Faculty/Staff Club
Meeting adjourned: 11:45 a.m.
Next Meeting: December 11, 2003 at the Hilton Garden Hotel (subject to Wilkins making
arrangements; he will notify members if another date is needed or if a switch to another place is
needed).
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